Chapter Summaries

Liu Genhe stirred the Jianghu crowd into suspecting that the Demon and Ghost Sects were pursuing Huang Xiao over the Evil Water Region, then planned to use the ensuing fight to escape. Huang Xiao exposed Liu Genhe’s attempt to slip away, leaving the Sword Pavilion expert under the crowd’s scrutiny as battle began.

• Liu Genhe suggested that the Demon and Ghost Sects’ pursuit was connected to Huang Xiao and the Evil Water Region, provoking the Jianghu crowd to demand answers.
• The Demon and Ghost Sects’ men ordered everyone killed to keep news of Huang Xiao from spreading, and Liu Genhe urged the Jianghu crowd to attack.
• Liu Genhe led the charge while intending to avoid fighting the enemy experts and withdraw amid the chaos.
• Huang Xiao noticed Liu Genhe’s plan to escape and shouted that Liu should hold off the Demon and Ghost Sects’ experts.
• Huang Xiao changed his position through the crowd, while the Jianghu people turned their attention to Liu Genhe.

Liu Genhe led the Jianghu fighters into battle against the Demon and Ghost Sects, then fled when three Void Martial Realm experts pursued him. Huang Xiao secretly disrupted Liu Genhe with the Heavenly Demon Soul-Destroying Sound, helping the three kill him, while Huang Xiao and the remaining fighters fled.

• Liu Genhe charged with the Jianghu fighters, but turned to flee when three Void Martial Realm experts moved to surround him.
• Liu Genhe's retreat shattered the Jianghu fighters' morale, and the Demon and Ghost Sects slaughtered them as they scattered.
• An unseen Sound Art interrupted Liu Genhe's escape, allowing the three Void Martial Realm experts to catch and surround him.
• Huang Xiao struck Liu Genhe again with the Heavenly Demon Soul-Destroying Sound, weakening him so the three experts could kill him.
• The Jianghu fighters fled, and Huang Xiao escaped with some of them while watching the Demon and Ghost Sects' movements.
• One of the three Void Martial Realm experts pursued the Half-Step Martial Realm Sword Pavilion disciple who had accompanied Huang Xiao.

Huang Xiao secretly helped a Sword Pavilion disciple escape, hoping the news would turn the Sword Pavilion against the Demon and Ghost Sects. At the battle site, Hu Meng and Qian Sai reprimanded their subordinates and prepared to search for Huang Xiao.

• Huang Xiao hurled swords at a Void Martial Realm expert, disrupting his pursuit and allowing the Sword Pavilion disciple to flee.
• Huang Xiao left after confirming the disciple had escaped, hoping the Sword Pavilion would learn of Liu Genhe's death and clash with the Demon and Ghost Sects.
• Hu Meng and Qian Sai arrived at the battle site and scolded the kneeling Demon and Ghost Sects forces for letting the disciple escape and allowing witnesses to get away.
• Zeng Yan admitted his failure, but Hu Meng kicked him down and mocked his offer to atone with his life.
• Qian Sai stopped Hu Meng from striking Zeng Yan again and asked how they planned to search for Huang Xiao; Gu Xihan proposed following his earlier route, and Qian Sai called him an idiot.

Huang Xiao escaped the Demon and Ghost Sects and headed toward Jicheng, hoping the turmoil over the Eighteen Families' trading companies would distract the Jianghu factions hunting him. He entered the crowded city openly, where martial artists had gathered in great numbers.

• Qian Sai deduced that Huang Xiao had secretly returned and used Heavenly Demon Soul-Destroying Sound to kill Liu Genhe, and Hu Meng ordered Zeng Yan and the others to investigate his trail.
• Huang Xiao continued toward Ji Province, wary that the Demon and Ghost Sects, Sword Pavilion, and other factions would soon close in on him.
• Three days later, Huang Xiao approached Jicheng and learned that Jianghu factions were gathering both to pursue him and to involve themselves in the Eighteen Families' trading companies.
• Huang Xiao learned that Chen Xiangrong had united the trading companies and begun striking back at the Heavenly Sword Sect over its attack on them.
• Huang Xiao entered Jicheng openly and found countless Jianghu people gathered there.

Huang Xiao learned that Chen Xiangrong planned to form a Trading Company Alliance, then heard that the Eighteen Families Firms held a secret connected to the Longevity Pill Manual. As major factions and experts gathered in Jicheng, Huang Xiao abandoned his attempt to leave and hid in his room.

• Huang Xiao discovered that the crowds in Jicheng had gathered for Chen Xiangrong's plan to unite trading companies against the Heavenly Sword Sect, not to search for him.
• Huang Xiao heard people discuss a secret linking the Eighteen Families Firms to the Longevity Pill Manual and learned that major factions had come to Jicheng to investigate it.
• Huang Xiao realized that the jade slips' contents might be disordered and feared that experts would discover his knowledge of the Evil Water Region.
• Huang Xiao headed for the city gate but turned back after noticing experts and representatives of major factions entering Jicheng.
• Huang Xiao set up a formation in his guest room and decided to stay hidden because leaving the city would draw attention.

Huang Xiao waited in his inn room as Heavenly Sword Sect disciples tried to drive out the guests, but Luo Wenhe arrived with orders from Chief Shopkeeper Chen and the Trading Company Alliance to restore order. After learning that powerful forces including the Sword Pavilion supported the order, Ji Yu withdrew, leaving the guests safe as they awaited Chen Xiangrong’s announcement in two days.

• Huang Xiao stayed in his room and sensed Heavenly Sword Sect members forcing guests out of the inn, killing one man who objected.
• A Heavenly Sword Sect disciple kicked open Huang Xiao’s door and ordered him to leave, but Huang Xiao remained seated and avoided a confrontation.
• Luo Wenhe arrived with more than a dozen allies and ordered the Heavenly Sword Sect members to stop harassing guests under Chief Shopkeeper Chen’s orders.
• Ji Yu threatened Luo Wenhe, who said the Imperial Court, Jicheng’s forces, and powerful sects such as the Sword Pavilion supported the order.
• After a messenger confirmed the news, Ji Yu led the Heavenly Sword Sect members out, and Luo Wenhe reassured the guests and invited them to Chen Xiangrong’s announcement in two days.

Luo Wenhe used Chen Xiangrong’s token to cover two days of expenses for the Jianghu people, stirring their anger against the Heavenly Sword Sect. As Chen Xiangrong prepared to lead the new Trading Company Alliance, a powerful old man met him secretly underground, raising the danger of exposing Chen’s decades-long plan.

• Luo Wenhe gave the innkeeper Chen Xiangrong’s token to cover the guests’ expenses and urged Huang Xiao and the others to rest for two days.
• The Jianghu people praised Chen Xiangrong and vowed to support him against the Heavenly Sword Sect, while Huang Xiao doubted their unity would last under pressure.
• Chen Xiangrong welcomed shopkeepers from across the land at the Trading Company Alliance residence, where his guards and political backing protected him from the Heavenly Sword Sect.
• After an aide summoned him, Chen Xiangrong left the reception and entered a concealed underground chamber to meet a gray-haired man.
• Chen Xiangrong warned the old man that their meeting could expose his identity and destroy decades of planning, and the old man replied that he heard resentment in Chen’s words.

Lord Wu met Chen Xiangrong to discuss three matters: Imperial Remnant Manor, Huang Xiao, and Chao Hun. He assured Chen Xiangrong that the Demon Hall would secretly protect him and pressure Imperial Remnant Manor before the Trading Firm Alliance Assembly.

• Lord Wu revealed his Transcendent Grade Hidden Demon Guard token, and Chen Xiangrong respectfully recognized his status.
• Lord Wu praised Chen Xiangrong’s handling of the trading firms and said higher-ups would deal with Imperial Remnant Manor.
• Lord Wu asked about Chao Hun, and Chen Xiangrong reported that he had passed through Ji Province toward Chaotic Province.
• Lord Wu explained that Chao Hun might be connected to several disappearances and deaths, including those of Lou Feishang, Zhu Jigeng, and Qin Lu.
• Lord Wu told Chen Xiangrong that Outer Hall Elders would secretly pressure Imperial Remnant Manor before the Trading Firm Alliance Assembly, while other forces such as the Sword Pavilion would do the same.

Chen Xiangrong and Lord Wu discussed using the Trading Company Alliance to pressure Imperial Remnant Manor into sharing the secrets needed to decipher the Longevity Pill Manual. They also set out to find Huang Xiao in Ji Province, while Chen Xiangrong reflected on how the Heavenly Sword Sect’s actions had helped him seize control of the Eighteen Families Firms.

• Chen Xiangrong learned from Lord Wu that the alliance was intended to force Imperial Remnant Manor to share the Eighteen Families Firms' secrets once all nine jade slips were gathered.
• Lord Wu told Chen Xiangrong that Huang Xiao was likely in Ji Province near Jicheng and that the Demon Hall wanted to bring him back for his knowledge of the Evil Water Region.
• Chen Xiangrong offered the trading firms' intelligence network to help find Huang Xiao, and Lord Wu asked him to report any clues before leaving Jicheng.
• After Lord Wu dismissed him, Chen Xiangrong ordered his men to search for Huang Xiao.
• Chen Xiangrong considered how he had used the Heavenly Sword Sect's actions to eliminate Imperial Remnant Manor's agents and take control of the Eighteen Families Firms.

Chen Xiangrong arranged a private meeting before the Joint Trading Company Conference to secure recognition of his takeover of the Eighteen Families Firms. As he considered investigating Huang Xiao’s Ten Thousand Demons Skill, the gathered Jianghu representatives were introduced, and Ke Hongying corrected Chen Xiangrong about Daoxuanzi’s realm.

• Chen Xiangrong reflected on Imperial Remnant Manor’s reduced oversight and planned to use the conference to make his control of the Eighteen Families Firms an established fact.
• Chen Xiangrong wondered whether Huang Xiao had mastered more levels of the Ten Thousand Demons Skill and resolved to investigate him, despite the risk of offending a powerful expert.
• Chen Xiangrong invited trading company representatives and Jianghu powers to discuss the conference’s business before its public proceedings.
• A Heavenly Sword Sect elder arrived after trading company representatives questioned his sect’s absence, then greeted Yuan Ren and Meng He from the Sword Pavilion.
• Chen Xiangrong introduced the assembled representatives, most of whom were Enlightenment Realm experts.
• Ke Hongying corrected Chen Xiangrong, saying Daoxuanzi had already reached the Enlightenment Realm.

Chen Xiangrong introduced the remaining Jianghu guests, including Lin PY of the Heavenly Sword Sect and Gong Qingshan of the Rare Treasures Pavilion, while the Jianghu figures confronted Gong over the deal. The trading companies chose Chen Xiangrong as leader of the Trading Company Alliance, and Gong watched the powerful representatives from the Demon Hall and Sword Pavilion.

• Chen Xiangrong introduced Lin PY last, humiliating the Heavenly Sword Sect, and Lin PY swallowed his anger.
• Gong Qingshan arrived and revealed that the Jianghu figures had gathered to await the Rare Treasures Pavilion's answer.
• Yuan Ren and Sima Yang demanded a satisfactory deal from Gong, who ignored them and took a seat.
• An Eighteen Families Firms representative proposed choosing an alliance leader, and the trading companies backed Chen Xiangrong.
• Chen Xiangrong formally assumed leadership of the Trading Company Alliance as its representatives bowed to him.
• Gong Qingshan turned his attention to the representatives of the Demon Hall and Sword Pavilion.

Gong Qingshan reflected on the Eighteen Families Firms’ Tortoise Shell Inscriptions, the Imperial Remnant Manor’s Selection Inscription Stele, and the Jianghu powers’ pressure to share it. Chen Xiangrong agreed to represent the firms as the gathering began, while Lin PY stayed silent despite his anger.

• Gong Qingshan recalled the Imperial Remnant Manor’s ancient agreement to protect the Eighteen Families Firms and suspected someone had leaked the secret of their Tortoise Shell Inscriptions.
• The Jianghu powers learned that the Inscriptions and the Jade Slips were tied to the Longevity Pill Manual, and that the Imperial Remnant Manor’s Selection Inscription Stele was needed to identify the nine genuine Inscriptions.
• The major powers pressured the Imperial Remnant Manor to share its Selection Inscription Stele, and the manor compromised rather than face their collective wrath.
• Gong Qingshan suspected a traitor within the Imperial Remnant Manor but stopped dwelling on the matter, trusting his superiors to investigate.
• Chen Xiangrong offered to represent the firms, and Ke Hongying invited him to preside over the gathering; Lin PY remained silent despite his annoyance.

Chen Xiangrong demanded justice for the trading firms, and Lin PY offered executions and a ten-year tribute exemption. The Sword Pavilion then demanded a much heavier price from the Heavenly Sword Sect, leaving Lin PY facing the prospect of sacrificing a powerful expert.

• Chen Xiangrong asked the major powers to punish those responsible for the massacre of the trading firms.
• Lin PY said the Heavenly Sword Sect had executed Lu Qizhu and thirty-three subordinates and would exempt the firms from tribute for ten years.
• Chen Xiangrong concealed his knowledge that he had already killed Lu Qizhu and most of the supposed victims, while questioning whether the punishment was too severe.
• Gong Qingshan challenged Lin PY's claim that the Heavenly Sword Sect was fair and hinted that he could withhold important information.
• Yuan Ren and Meng He demanded ten Martial Realm executions, then Yuan Ren offered one Enlightenment Realm expert instead, asking whether Lin PY would volunteer.

Lin PY agreed that the Heavenly Sword Sect would surrender ten Martial Realm disciples for execution, while Gong Qingshan promised the Selection Inscription Stele once all nine Jade Slips were gathered. The factions then turned their attention to Huang Xiao and the secrets of the Evil Water Region.

• Yuan Ren and Meng He insisted that the Heavenly Sword Sect provide ten Martial Realm disciples for execution, and Lin PY reluctantly agreed to settle the matter the next day.
• Gong Qingshan agreed to share the Selection Inscription Stele but made its delivery conditional on gathering all nine Jade Slips.
• Gong Qingshan urged the factions to recover the Jade Slip lost in the Evil Water Region and pointed out that Huang Xiao might know how to enter and leave it safely.
• Yuan Heng warned the factions not to harm Huang Xiao, while Zhang Yaozhen and Zhen Heng claimed they would return him safely to the Demon Hall.
• Gong Qingshan said the Imperial Remnant Manor would stay out of the matter concerning Huang Xiao and cooperate once all nine Jade Slips were gathered.

Ke Hongying explained why Imperial Remnant Manor had kept the Selection Inscription Stele apart from the Tortoise Shell Inscription, and the gathered factions argued over the Longevity Pill Manual. After Gong Qingshan left, the attendees decided whether to stay for Chen Xiangrong’s announcement the next day.

• Ke Hongying said Imperial Remnant Manor’s ancestors had separated the inscriptions to show Demon Hall they did not seek the Longevity Pill Manual, and she explained that Demon Hall had once prioritized fighting Heavenly Evil Sect.
• Yuan Ren and Meng He challenged Ke Hongying’s claims, while Daoxuanzi identified Li Bai and the Three Immortal Mountains as Bishui Palace’s source of knowledge.
• Yuan Heng, Pang Ruhuo, Meng He, and others argued over who would claim the Longevity Pill Manual until Master Fajiang urged them to stop fighting.
• Gong Qingshan declared the matter settled, left the hall, and warned Lin PY that he still expected ten Heavenly Sword Sect Martial Realm heads by the next day.
• Lin PY left without answering Pang Ruhuo’s demand to arrange matters for tomorrow, and most of the Jianghu figures departed while a few chose to stay.

Huang Xiao joined the crowd at the Trading Company Alliance Assembly, where Chen Xiangrong paid attendees and called on them to witness the alliance’s grievances against the Heavenly Sword Sect. The sect’s Lin PY brought ten bound captives onto the platform, and Chen Xiangrong asked four Enlightenment Realm experts to verify their identities.

• Huang Xiao answered a call to support Chen Xiangrong and followed the crowd to the assembly outside the East City Gate.
• Huang Xiao recognized Yuan Heng and Pang Ruhuo of the Demon Hall among the honored guests and worried they might discover him.
• Chen Xiangrong announced that anyone with a Token could claim one thousand taels in Silver Notes from the Trading Company Alliance.
• Chen Xiangrong asked the gathered Jianghu heroes to bear witness as the alliance settled its grievances with the Heavenly Sword Sect.
• Lin PY interrupted Chen Xiangrong and ordered his people to bring ten captives onto the platform.
• Chen Xiangrong asked Yuan Ren, Meng He, Yuan Heng, and Pang Ruhuo to check whether the captives were impostors or had been added merely to make up the numbers.

The Heavenly Sword Sect executed ten of its Martial Realm experts to settle the dispute with the Trading Company Alliance, and Chen Xiangrong revealed how the Eighteen Families Firms could decipher the Longevity Pill Manual. The gathering was then thrown into chaos when an Enlightenment Realm voice called out Huang Xiao, and a figure seized his wrist while identifying himself as a Hidden Demon Guard.

• Yuan Ren and the other experts accepted the Heavenly Sword Sect's offer to execute ten men, and Pang Ruhuo insisted they be turned toward the crowd before their deaths.
• Pang Ruhuo unsealed the ten men's mute acupoints, and they protested that they were being sacrificed unfairly; Lin PY killed one himself and ordered the other nine executed.
• Lin PY prepared to leave, but Pang Ruhuo urged him to stay for Chen Xiangrong's announcement about the Eighteen Families Firms.
• Chen Xiangrong revealed that the Tortoise Shell Inscription and the Imperial Remnant Manor's Selection Inscription Stele could reveal the true text of the Longevity Pill Manual's nine jade slips.
• An Enlightenment Realm voice shouted Huang Xiao's name, and powerful figures rushed in to seal off the area.
• A figure seized Huang Xiao's wrist and transmitted that he was a Hidden Demon Guard.

Huang Xiao was exposed after several factions used a bluff to make Wu Cang reveal himself and pinpoint his location. Surrounded by Enlightenment Realm experts, he faced an overwhelming force as Daoxuanzi and Ke Hongying arrived.

• Wu Cang revealed himself to take Huang Xiao away, but realized the other experts had tricked him into exposing Huang Xiao.
• The Jianghu crowd fled, while Yuan Heng and Pang Ruhuo came to stand beside Huang Xiao and Wu Cang.
• Qian Sai explained that the factions had guessed Huang Xiao would attend the gathering and baited the Hidden Demon Guard into revealing his position.
• More Enlightenment Realm experts from the Heavenly Evil Sect, other factions, and the Sword Pavilion joined the confrontation.
• Daoxuanzi and Ke Hongying arrived, and Huang Xiao recognized that Daoxuanzi had broken through to the Enlightenment Realm.

Enlightenment Realm experts from several sects confronted the Heavenly Demon Hall over the secret Huang Xiao knew about the Evil Water Region. As the other forces demanded that he reveal it, Wu Cang ordered a fight, but Pang Ruhuo refused to risk his life for an affair outside his assignment.

• Daoxuanzi recognized Huang Xiao, while Fajiang proposed that Huang Xiao share the Evil Water Region secret with everyone.
• Sima Yang, Zhang Yaozhen, and Meng He challenged the Heavenly Demon Hall's claim to keep the secret, and Yuan Ren allowed Yao Renwu and Liang Chenghao to join their group.
• The sects drove away the onlookers, and Chen Xiangrong left with the trading company representatives while worrying that the other forces would gain the secret.
• Yuan Ren again demanded that Huang Xiao talk, and Wu Cang ordered four men to attack.
• Pang Ruhuo refused Wu Cang's order, saying he had another assignment and Huang Xiao's affair was not his responsibility.

Wu Cang and the other factions agreed to join forces against the Demon Hall’s group and capture Huang Xiao for information about the Evil Water Region. When the experts attacked, Wu Cang activated the Pitch-Black Demon Eyes to defend Huang Xiao, and Sima Yang’s treachery left Yuan Ren badly struck.

• Yuan Ren and Meng He persuaded Sima Yang to help defeat the Demon Hall’s experts and capture Huang Xiao, while Wu Cang insisted on protecting him.
• Liang Chenghao and his three companions engaged some of the attackers as Yuan Ren, Sima Yang, and others charged at Wu Cang.
• Wu Cang activated the Pitch-Black Demon Eyes, causing his aura to surge as he seized Huang Xiao and confronted Yuan Ren.
• Sima Yang agreed to help Yuan Ren but slowed his attack, leaving Wu Cang free to strike Yuan Ren and send him flying with blood spilling from his mouth.
• Meng He and another Sword Pavilion expert attacked Wu Cang, and Yuan Ren suppressed his injuries before charging after them.