Chapter Summaries

After learning that Yao Renwu had sent Yin Huju and Yue Cheng to the Forced Labor Camp and that Zuo Jiayi had beaten Chao Lingyi, Huang Xiao decided to confront the matter himself. He prepared to go to the camp with Chao Lingyi after she received healing pills.

• Chao Lingyi told Huang Xiao that Zuo Jiayi had beaten her and forbidden anyone from treating her injuries.
• Huang Xiao ordered a guard to summon Yin Huju and Yue Cheng, then learned they had been sent to the Forced Labor Camp.
• Chao Lingyi explained that Yao Renwu had punished the elders after they opposed his plan to recommend Zuo Jiayi for the Hall Master Candidate position.
• Huang Xiao ordered healing pills for Chao Lingyi and said he would go to the Forced Labor Camp instead of seeking the Hall Master.
• Huang Xiao asked Chao Lingyi to lead him to the camp and decided they would wait for her healing pills before leaving.

Huang Xiao obtained healing pills for Chao Lingyi and took her toward the Forced Labor Camp, where they overheard Zuo Jiayi and other disciples insulting him. Huang Xiao confronted them and demanded that Zuo Jiayi repeat his words.

• A Void Martial Realm disciple brought Huang Xiao the healing pills, and Chao Lingyi took one before they left for the Forced Labor Camp.
• Chao Lingyi explained the formations surrounding the camp, and Huang Xiao observed that their influence compressed his divine sense.
• Huang Xiao and Chao Lingyi overheard Zuo Jiayi and his companions disparaging Huang Xiao and discussing his return.
• After Junior Brother Cheng was knocked down, Zuo Jiayi and the others noticed Huang Xiao; four disciples knelt and slapped themselves while Huang Xiao asked Zuo Jiayi to repeat what he had said.

Huang Xiao learned that Zuo Jiayi had flogged Chao Lingyi and punished him with the whip, but Zuo Jiayi attacked Huang Xiao in response. Their fight escalated when Junior Brother Cheng joined in, and Zuo Jiayi drew his Imitation Saber against him.

• Zuo Jiayi refused to sincerely apologize to Huang Xiao, who dismissed the other disciples’ attempts to curry favor and sent Chao Lingyi to fetch a whip.
• Chao Lingyi returned with the whip, and Huang Xiao asked whether his people were Zuo Jiayi’s to mistreat.
• Zuo Jiayi admitted that he had flogged Chao Lingyi, so Huang Xiao whipped him while two kneeling disciples held him in place.
• Zuo Jiayi broke free and attacked Huang Xiao, then became enraged when Huang Xiao struck his face with another lash.
• Junior Brother Cheng charged at Zuo Jiayi, who drew his Imitation Saber and slashed at him.

Huang Xiao faced Zuo Jiayi after Zuo Jiayi wounded Junior Brother Cheng and drew his saber, while Zheng Gu prevented the guards from intervening. Huang Xiao took Junior Brother Cheng’s saber, then abruptly killed four disciples before turning back to Zuo Jiayi.

• Zuo Jiayi wounded Junior Brother Cheng with his Martial Realm-grade imitation saber and charged at Huang Xiao.
• Chao Lingyi called for help, but Zheng Gu ordered the Forced Labor Camp guards to stay at their post and watch.
• Zheng Gu expected Zuo Jiayi to defeat Huang Xiao without killing him, while Zuo Jiayi insisted he would accept any punishment afterward.
• Huang Xiao dodged Zuo Jiayi’s slash and said he would carry out the punishment immediately.
• Junior Brother Cheng tossed Huang Xiao his imitation saber, and Huang Xiao used it to kill two Half-Step Martial Realm disciples and two Void Martial Realm disciples.

Huang Xiao killed Zuo Jiayi after defeating him in a saber fight, despite Zuo Jiayi dismissing his strength and refusing to apologize to Chao Lingyi. Zheng Gu watched from the Forced Labor Camp entrance and did not intervene.

• Chao Lingyi and Junior Brother Cheng saw Huang Xiao kill the four men, while Zuo Jiayi condemned his actions.
• Huang Xiao declared Zuo Jiayi sentenced to death and attacked him with the Heavenly Demon Demon Saber Techniques.
• Zuo Jiayi misidentified Huang Xiao's fifth-form strike as the sixth form and claimed Huang Xiao could not harm him.
• Huang Xiao gave Zuo Jiayi one last chance to kneel, kowtow to Chao Lingyi, and apologize, but Zuo Jiayi refused.
• Huang Xiao severed Zuo Jiayi's right arm and then cut his throat, killing him as Zheng Gu watched without stepping in.

Huang Xiao challenged Zheng Gu after killing Zuo Jiayi and demanded the release of Yin Huju and Yue Cheng without presenting a written order. When Zheng Gu said Huang Xiao lacked the authority to free them, Huang Xiao offered to prove his strength in a fight.

• Zheng Gu confronted Huang Xiao over Zuo Jiayi’s death and said he would report the matter to the Hall Master.
• Huang Xiao stopped the guard from fetching Elder Liu and explained that he had come to collect Yin Huju and Yue Cheng.
• Zheng Gu demanded a written order from the Hall Master or Yao Renwu, but Huang Xiao refused to seek one.
• Zheng Gu said Huang Xiao lacked enough authority, and Huang Xiao challenged him to exchange moves.
• The guards expected Zheng Gu to defeat Huang Xiao because Zheng Gu was a veteran Martial Realm expert and Huang Xiao had only recently entered the Void Martial Realm.

Huang Xiao challenged Regent Elder Zheng Gu to fight without a saber, seeking to test his strength against a Martial Realm expert. After Huang Xiao surprised Zheng Gu by matching his palm strike, Zheng Gu agreed to show him the Slaughter Demonic Art.

• Huang Xiao handed his Imitation Saber to Chao Lingyi and told Zheng Gu to use whatever moves he had.
• Huang Xiao attacked Zheng Gu, using the Lingbo Ethereal Steps to evade Zheng Gu's grabs and strikes.
• Zheng Gu took Huang Xiao more seriously after the younger man dodged his probing attacks.
• Huang Xiao stopped dodging and met Zheng Gu's palm head-on, shattering Zheng Gu's Palm Force before retreating five steps.
• Huang Xiao challenged Zheng Gu to use an ultimate move and asked to see his Slaughter Demon Palm.
• Zheng Gu refused to use the Slaughter Demon Palm but offered to demonstrate the Slaughter Demonic Art.

Huang Xiao fought Zheng Gu at full strength and endured several powerful blows, surprising the onlookers with how little damage he suffered. He challenged Zheng Gu to use the Slaughter Demon Palm, leaving their contest poised to escalate.

• Huang Xiao and Zheng Gu unleashed their demonic arts and began exchanging blows as Chao Lingyi, Junior Brother Cheng, and the guards watched from a distance.
• Huang Xiao was knocked into a boulder and spat blood, but he recovered quickly enough to make Zheng Gu marvel at his resilience.
• Huang Xiao charged again and secretly redirected Zheng Gu's force into the boulder, shattering it while emerging from the dust with only minor injuries.
• Huang Xiao challenged Zheng Gu to use the Slaughter Demon Palm, and coldness flickered in Zheng Gu's eyes.

Huang Xiao used the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Great Art to overpower Zheng Gu after Zheng Gu underestimated him. The fight continued despite Elder Liu’s warning, as Huang Xiao insisted he could not stop and pressed Zheng Gu to keep fighting.

• Zheng Gu increased his internal power but refused to use the Slaughter Demon Palm, believing he could defeat Huang Xiao without it.
• Huang Xiao unleashed the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Great Art as he attacked, causing his strength to surge while he concealed the change in his aura.
• Elder Liu arrived and tried to stop the fight, but Huang Xiao told him he had initiated the sparring match.
• Huang Xiao’s punch overwhelmed Zheng Gu and invaded his meridians, shocking both Zheng Gu and Elder Liu.
• Elder Liu warned that the Martial Realm Forbidden Art could destroy Huang Xiao’s foundation, but Huang Xiao claimed he could not stop and charged Zheng Gu again.
• Zheng Gu begged Huang Xiao to stop, while Huang Xiao insisted he wanted to fight again.

Huang Xiao withstood Zheng Gu’s Slaughter Demon Palm, relying on the Heavenly Demon Skill’s advantage and his rapidly repairing meridians. He then challenged Zheng Gu to a saber fight, and both men drew their Imitation Sabers.

• Zheng Gu decided to use the Slaughter Demon Palm against Huang Xiao, while Elder Liu worried that the fight might cause an accident.
• Huang Xiao met Zheng Gu’s Slaughter Demon Palm with the Heavenly Demon Subduing Tiger Fist and held his ground as their forces clashed.
• Huang Xiao realized the Heavenly Demon Skill was suppressing Zheng Gu’s Slaughter Demonic Art, then forced Zheng Gu back with a burst of fist force.
• Huang Xiao asked Chao Lingyi for Zuo Jiayi’s Imitation Saber and challenged Zheng Gu to fight with saber techniques.
• Zheng Gu had a guard bring his Imitation Saber and drew it, preparing to face Huang Xiao’s Sixth Form.

Huang Xiao fought Zheng Gu in a saber duel, using his Imperishable True Qi to endure injuries and wear his opponent down. Elder Liu stopped the match and declared it a draw, leaving the spectators astonished by Huang Xiao’s performance.

• Huang Xiao and Zheng Gu exchanged saber strikes, and Zheng Gu’s attacks drove Huang Xiao back and injured him.
• Huang Xiao decided to use his Imperishable True Qi to keep repairing his injuries and attacked Zheng Gu without regard for his own wounds.
• The two men repeatedly traded injuries until Zheng Gu’s wounds accumulated and he began vomiting blood.
• Huang Xiao charged again after each exchange, and Zheng Gu realized the fight could end with his death.
• Elder Liu stepped between them and called the match a draw, stunning the spectators.

Huang Xiao forced Zheng Gu to agree to release Yin Huju and Yue Cheng, then entered the Forced Labor Camp with Elder Liu. He learned that Demon Spirit Armor was forged using prisoners’ essence blood and lives, and discovered that Yao Renwu controlled the Core Forging Area.

• Huang Xiao admitted that Zheng Gu was still stronger but vowed to surpass him, while Elder Liu ordered the witnesses not to spread news of the confrontation.
• Huang Xiao demanded that Zheng Gu release Yin Huju and Yue Cheng, and Zheng Gu went to the Forced Labor Camp without replying.
• Huang Xiao began healing his injuries, then entered the Forced Labor Camp with Elder Liu despite being told he did not need to go inside.
• Elder Liu explained that prisoners could be selected for secret armor-forging work after surviving a year, but they still faced death because Demon Spirit Armor was forged with human essence blood and lives.
• Elder Liu told Huang Xiao that Zheng Gu could not enter the Core Forging Area and revealed that Yao Renwu was responsible for it.

Huang Xiao learned that Yao Renwu controlled the Forced Labor Camp and saw how brutally its prisoners were treated. He arrived too late to save Song Gang and learned that Yin Huju and Yue Cheng had been chosen for the core secret forging site.

• Elder Liu told Huang Xiao that Zheng Gu was only the nominal overseer of the Forced Labor Camp and that Yao Renwu controlled it.
• Huang Xiao saw the prisoners labor under brutal conditions and worried that Zheng Gu was targeting Yin Huju and Yue Cheng.
• Two guards brought in the mutilated Song Gang, and Huang Xiao tried to heal him, but Song Gang died in his arms.
• Huang Xiao demanded to know why Yin Huju, Yue Cheng, and Zheng Gu were absent, and a guard said Zheng Gu had left the camp.
• The guard relayed Zheng Gu's message: Huang Xiao had arrived too late because Yin Huju and Yue Cheng had been chosen for the core secret forging site.

Huang Xiao learned that Yin Huju and Yue Cheng had been taken to the Core Forging Area, where Yao Renwu’s people could make their lives difficult. He went to seek the Hall Master’s help, but discovered the Hall Master had gone to the Main Hall and had ordered Huang Xiao to remain inside the Heavenly Demon Hall for his safety.

• A guard told Huang Xiao that Yin Huju and Yue Cheng had been selected and taken to the Core Forging Area, and explained that Zheng Gu had submitted their names before the selection.
• Elder Liu urged Huang Xiao to ask the Hall Master to release the two elders, and Huang Xiao suspected Yao Renwu’s subordinates had helped ensure their selection.
• Huang Xiao left the Forced Labor Camp with Elder Liu and Chao Lingyi, then hurried to the Hall Master’s residence.
• A disciple told Huang Xiao that the Hall Master and Hall Master Chu had gone to the Main Hall an hour earlier.
• Elder Liu warned Huang Xiao that he could not safely leave the Heavenly Demon Hall, and a disciple confirmed that the Hall Master had ordered him to stay inside.

Huang Xiao failed to reach the absent Hall Master and could only wait for a letter to reach him, leaving Yin Huju and Yue Cheng in danger at the Forced Labor Camp. After learning that Yao Renwu had returned injured, Huang Xiao worried that Yao might retaliate against the imprisoned elders while no one could restrain him.

• Elder Liu tried to catch up with the Hall Master but failed, while Huang Xiao sent a letter asking for help.
• Huang Xiao asked Elder Liu what punishment Zheng Gu could face and resolved to appeal to the Hall Master when he returned.
• A guard told Huang Xiao that Yao Renwu and Liang Chenghao had returned with serious injuries.
• Huang Xiao feared that Yao Renwu would harm Yin Huju and Yue Cheng at the Forced Labor Camp, where the absent Hall Master had left no one able to stop him.

Huang Xiao had Chao Lingyi gather information on Yao Renwu and refused to answer the elder’s summons, insisting that Yao Renwu come to him. Yao Renwu arrived to confront Huang Xiao over Zuo Jiayi’s death, and Huang Xiao asked how he had offended him.

• Huang Xiao asked Chao Lingyi to investigate Yao Renwu’s side, and she volunteered to gather information openly and use his rewards if needed.
• Chao Lingyi reported that Yao Renwu was furious and intended to settle the score with Huang Xiao.
• When Yao Renwu summoned him the next morning, Huang Xiao refused to go and told the messenger that Yao Renwu should come himself.
• Yao Renwu arrived and accused Huang Xiao of having a temper, while Huang Xiao pleaded injury and asked what business had brought him.
• Yao Renwu said Huang Xiao knew why he had come, and Huang Xiao asked how he had offended him.

Yao Renwu accused Huang Xiao of killing Zuo Jiayi and sentenced him to the Forced Labor Camp while the Hall Master was absent. As two Regent Elders moved to take Huang Xiao away, Elder Liu, Liang Chenghao, and Wu Cang arrived.

• Yao Renwu confronted Huang Xiao over Zuo Jiayi’s death, but Huang Xiao claimed he had killed Zuo Jiayi by mistake after being attacked.
• Yao Renwu declared that Huang Xiao would be sent to the Forced Labor Camp until the Hall Master returned, and Huang Xiao challenged his authority.
• Yao Renwu ordered two Martial Realm Regent Elders to take Huang Xiao away, and they obeyed despite their hesitation.
• Huang Xiao warned Yao Renwu not to regret his decision, while Yao Renwu dismissed the threat and said he would accept revenge if Huang Xiao became Hall Master.
• Elder Liu, Liang Chenghao, and Wu Cang entered, interrupting the confrontation.

Liang Chenghao and Wu Cang intervened when Yao Renwu tried to send Huang Xiao to the Forced Labor Camp. The story left Yao Renwu stunned by the news that Wu Cang had joined the Heavenly Demon Hall and would take Qin Lu’s former position.

• Liang Chenghao arrived with Elder Liu and Wu Cang, and Yao Renwu realized Elder Liu had brought them to oppose him.
• Yao Renwu said Huang Xiao would be punished for killing Zuo Jiayi, and Huang Xiao revealed that the punishment was confinement in the Forced Labor Camp.
• Liang Chenghao objected to the punishment, but Yao Renwu insisted that Liang Chenghao had no authority to stop him.
• Wu Cang offered to cast a vote, and Liang Chenghao revealed that Wu Cang had joined the Heavenly Demon Hall with the hall master’s approval.
• Liang Chenghao explained that Wu Cang would take over Qin Lu’s former position as an Enlightenment Realm elder.

Wu Cang presented his transfer order to Yao Renwu and stopped him from punishing Huang Xiao for killing Yao Renwu’s junior. After Liang Chenghao and Elder Liu left, Wu Cang explained why he had joined the Heavenly Demon Hall, leaving Huang Xiao doubtful that comfort was his true motive.

• Wu Cang showed Yao Renwu his valid transfer order, then asserted his right to vote on Huang Xiao’s punishment and forced Yao Renwu to leave.
• Huang Xiao welcomed Wu Cang, Liang Chenghao, and Elder Liu, and thanked them for preventing Yao Renwu from sending him to the Forced Labor Camp.
• Wu Cang and Liang Chenghao dismissed Huang Xiao’s killing of Yao Renwu’s junior as a trivial matter and reassured him that the Hall Master would not object.
• Wu Cang said he had joined the Heavenly Demon Hall because he believed Huang Xiao could become Hall Master and wanted to support him.
• After Liang Chenghao and Elder Liu departed, Wu Cang told Huang Xiao that he had volunteered to join the Hall, and Huang Xiao questioned whether Wu Cang truly preferred the Hall to the Hidden Demon Guard.

Wu Cang explained his move to the Heavenly Demon Hall and revealed that Shi Hen had once been its Hall Master. Huang Xiao searched for a way to save the two imprisoned elders but learned that he could only wait for the Hall Master, then was summoned to discuss the disappearance of materials needed for his flute.

• Wu Cang told Huang Xiao that Shi Hen had helped him join the Heavenly Demon Hall and had served as its Hall Master for more than two hundred years.
• Wu Cang explained that the two elders in the Forced Labor Camp could not be released without the Hall Master's order, and that he would not leave Huang Xiao to seek help at the Main Hall.
• Huang Xiao remained determined to save the elders, though Wu Cang warned that the Hall Master might be delayed by the Evil Water Region matter and that Huang Xiao could not safely leave the hall.
• Huang Xiao assured Wu Cang that he would keep training, and Elder Liu arrived to summon them to meet Liang Chenghao.
• Elder Liu reported that materials for forging Huang Xiao's Heavenly Demon Soul-Destroying Flute had vanished from the Demon Refining Valley.