Recaps

Han Shuo prepared Brettel City’s defenses after forcing Helen Tina to leave and considered how to address the city’s shortage of residents and soldiers. He arranged to meet the Mountain People leaders and continued studying necromancy, leaving their banquet set for seven days later.

• Han Shuo waved goodbye to Helen Tina, reminded her to repay the gold she owed, and sent her back toward the Xilun Duchy.
• Han Shuo ordered Dick to invite the surrounding Mountain People leaders to Brettel City and told Valklan to strengthen the city’s defenses and arm its forces.
• Han Shuo explained that he hoped to recruit the Mountain People to help defend Brettel City, which lacked residents and combat-ready soldiers.
• Han Shuo weighed the risks of relying on Lawrence’s administrators and began considering how to find trusted people of his own.
• Han Shuo spent two days practicing magic and testing Soul Tremor on magical beasts in the Death Cemetery.
• Dick told Han Shuo that all five Mountain People leaders had agreed to attend a banquet in Brettel City seven days later.

Han Shuo investigated the ambush on a caravan carrying war equipment and traced it to infiltrators among Valklan’s knights. He went with Valklan to confront the bandits, but discovered they had hostages, a strong defensive position on the river, and a clever leader named Dokes.

• Valklan reported that five bands of bandits had robbed the caravan and demanded fifty thousand gold coins, and Han Shuo suspected a spy had tipped them off.
• Valklan uncovered three newly recruited soldiers who were bandits in disguise, and Han Shuo ordered him to help destroy the bandits to redeem his negligence.
• Han Shuo and a hundred knights rode to the exchange site, where the bandits waited on rafts with two Light Department mages prepared to counter his Gargoyles.
• Han Shuo’s Yin Demon found Fubin'en, Jack, other merchants, and their guards bound among the bandits, making an attack risky.
• Han Shuo overheard Dokes explain that the hostages, rafts, and mages would force the knights to pay, and recognized him as a prodigy from the Empire Military Academy.

Han Shuo paid the bandits fifty thousand gold coins to recover the merchants and military equipment, then let Valklan escort them safely back to Brettel City. The bandits ignored their promise to help Dokes take revenge, but as they headed toward Tulian Town, Han Shuo appeared to confront them.

• Han Shuo recognized Dokes as an expelled military prodigy and ordered Valklan to hand the bandits the gold so the merchants and equipment could be recovered safely.
• Dokes’s cautious plan kept the rafts out of reach, and the bandits took the gold and drifted downstream into the darkness.
• Han Shuo told Valklan to escort the merchants and equipment back to Brettel City rather than pursue the bandits, then departed alone.
• After the bandits relit their torches, Dokes demanded that they fulfill their promise to help him take revenge, but Laxi and the others put him off and planned to visit the Garden of Spring Delights.
• As the bandits went ashore near Tulian Town, Han Shuo appeared ahead of them and announced that he had been waiting for them.

Han Shuo slaughtered the bandits who had captured Dokes and offered him a chance to take revenge by serving under him. Dokes accepted, kneeling before Han Shuo and pledging to become his hunting hound.

• Han Shuo revealed that he had followed Dokes for his talents, not the fifty thousand gold coins, and rejected the bandits' attempts to intimidate him.
• Han Shuo killed the charging bandits with Bone Spears as his Evil Knights and other undead arrived.
• The bandits and the two Light Department mages were killed in the ensuing slaughter, while the undead left Dokes unharmed.
• Han Shuo offered Dokes the opportunity to avenge himself by submitting to him and building power in Brettel City.
• Dokes accepted Han Shuo's offer and knelt, promising to be his hunting hound.

Han Shuo returned to Brettel City with Dokes, secured the merchants and defensive equipment, and set plans in motion to strengthen the city. At a banquet three days later, Jack asked to stay in Brettel City and pursue the ambition of becoming a knight or nobleman.

• Han Shuo learned that Valklan’s knights had lost three men to bandits, then ordered proper burials and the destruction of the surrounding bandit groups.
• Han Shuo appointed Dokes commander of a thousand knights and ordered him to eliminate the twelve remaining bandit groups between Brettel City and Sea Mist City.
• Han Shuo visited the resting merchants, reunited with Jack and Fubin'en, and received a letter from Phoebe.
• Han Shuo hosted a Food Festival and banquet, paid the merchants for their delivered equipment, and promised them opportunities in Brettel City.
• Jack told Han Shuo he wanted to stay in Brettel City and build a name for himself so he could become a knight or nobleman for Jessica.

Han Shuo prepared Brettel City for war as Dokes returned from defeating twelve bandit bands and recruiting their survivors. When Dick reported that fifteen thousand bandits were gathering nearby, Han Shuo chose to defend the city with its own forces, and Brettel City braced for battle.

• Jack insisted that he wanted to face danger, and Han Shuo told him to stay in Brettel City and reconsider before deciding.
• Han Shuo surveyed the fortified city and praised Dokes for returning with 960 soldiers after clearing the road and winning the submission of 742 bandits.
• Dokes gave Han Shuo the bandits' recovered wealth and recommended combining force with conciliation; Han Shuo ordered him to use the gold to equip the new soldiers.
• Dick warned Han Shuo that fifteen thousand bandits were gathering twenty li from Brettel City to plunder it, but Han Shuo declined to call on the Mountain People leaders.
• Han Shuo placed Brettel City under martial law, concealed its siege weapons, and closed all four gates as the people recognized that war was coming.

Han Shuo taunted four bandit leaders threatening Brettel City, provoking Fas into ordering a citywide massacre and launching the siege. As Greenfire’s troops charged, Brettel’s hidden defenses opened fire and devastated the attackers.

• Four bandit leaders advanced on Brettel City, planning to attack its gates and seize the million gold coins they believed were inside.
• Han Shuo took the main gate with only three hundred soldiers and reassured Jack, while the bandits prepared mages and siege weapons outside.
• Fas demanded a million gold coins, and Han Shuo mocked him before revealing that Brettel City held even more treasure and daring the bandits to attack.
• Fas ordered his men to slaughter the whole city and signaled the four groups to begin their assault.
• Han Shuo ordered Brettel’s concealed war machines, ballistae, and stone throwers to fire, killing many charging bandits in a hail of flames and boulders.

Han Shuo defended Brettel City against the Greenfire Bandits Group, first devastating their mages and then unleashing Corpse Revival when the exhausted defenders faced a stronger second assault. The risen dead sent the bandits fleeing, while Han Shuo prepared another bloody attack against Fas.

• Fas sent two thousand recruits to assault Brettel City, where the defenders' siege weapons inflicted heavy casualties.
• Han Shuo destroyed the bandits' mage tower and nearby forces with the Demon-Slaying Edge's Ten Thousand Blood-Blade Slashes, then helped defend the walls as supplies and soldiers ran low.
• Fas ordered Tuku and a thousand better-equipped bandits, including five hundred armored horsemen, to charge the city.
• Han Shuo cast Corpse Revival, causing the fallen bandits to rise and attack the living, spreading panic through the besieging force.
• Han Shuo blocked the fleeing bandits with acidic swamps and formed another Ten Thousand Blood-Light Slashes as Fas aimed a crossbow at him.

Han Shuo fought Fas’s bandits with the Demon-Slaying Edge and undead magic, but Zhankesi arrived with the Church of Light’s Temple Knights and used the Book of Revelation to destroy Han Shuo’s undead defenses. The chapter left Brettel City exposed as Fas returned with his bandits and threatened the soldiers on its walls.

• Han Shuo’s Demon-Slaying Edge tore through Fas’s bandits, while his Acidic Swamp and reanimated corpses trapped and terrified the survivors.
• The bandits overcame their fear of the corpses and began destroying their fallen comrades to protect themselves.
• Han Shuo saw Zhankesi approaching with the Temple Knights and redirected the Demon-Slaying Edge to attack him.
• Six high-ranking Temple Knights contained the Demon-Slaying Edge with a holy sword formation, forcing it to retreat before it could reach Zhankesi.
• Zhankesi opened the Book of Revelation and spread sacred light that erased Han Shuo’s corpses, Undead Sky, and Acidic Swamp.
• Fas returned with his bandits after the sacred light cleared their path, and they began targeting Brettel City’s soldiers.

Han Shuo and his undead forces helped Brettel City repel Fas's bandits and Zhankesi's Church of Light troops, while the defenders at the other gates also held off their attackers. The enemies withdrew, and Han Shuo ordered the exhausted soldiers to guard the battlefield as the city celebrated its survival.

• Han Shuo unleashed the Bloodlust Banner and summoned his undead, as the Fire Armored Corpse's lotus flames and the Earth Armor Zombie's spikes devastated the attackers and killed the Church of Light's priests.
• Fas ordered the Greenfire Bandits Group to retreat after the city's weapons resumed firing, then angrily insulted Zhankesi as he passed.
• Han Shuo ordered the city's soldiers to fire on the Church of Light, and Zhankesi withdrew with the Temple Knights after admitting defeat.
• Brettel City's residents celebrated as the defenders reported the enemies retreating, and Han Shuo ordered the remaining soldiers to stay alert.
• Valklan's defenders and residents resisted their attackers, while Dokes's forces routed the Flying Dragon Bandits Group's assault.
• Yafei withdrew after learning of Fas's defeat, leaving two hundred dead, while Chester and Fubin'en mistakenly believed their standoff had frightened him away.

Han Shuo helped Brettel City repel a siege by four bandit groups, then oversaw the aftermath and appointed Jack treasurer as merchants departed to obtain supplies. The city began rebuilding and preparing for the greater threat from the Seven Grand Duchies.

• Han Shuo found Chester and Dick's gate secure, then rushed to Valklan's side, where the Battle Axe Bandit Group was close to overwhelming the defenders.
• Han Shuo killed the bandits who had stormed the wall, summoned his undead forces, and slaughtered the attackers, including their leader Bainam.
• Han Shuo recovered Bainam's Spatial Ring, and the Battle Axe bandits fled as the defenders held the gates and the fighting on Dokes's side ended.
• Han Shuo ordered rewards for citizens who had fought, saluted the fallen with Dokes, and learned that Brettel City had lost more than 327 soldiers while defeating the siege.
• Han Shuo entrusted Jack with the city's finances and appointed him treasurer, while Jack proved his ability to manage the city's immense funds and purchase supplies.
• Han Shuo and Jack saw Fubin'en and the merchants leave for Sea Mist City to secure more equipment, food, and other necessities.

The five Mountain People leaders visited Brettel City to meet Han Shuo, whose recent victory had transformed the city and made them wary of his power. As the leaders waited at his mansion, Delia grew curious about him, and Han Shuo finally appeared, saying he had prepared unusual delicacies.

• Dick led the five mountain leaders into Brettel City, where they saw its fortified defenses, disciplined soldiers, and citizens at work.
• Fokalin declared that Tali Mountain would build a good relationship with Han Shuo, while Dick warned the others not to provoke him.
• At the mansion, Dokes rebuked Zack for speaking disrespectfully about the city lord, and Zack apologized after Ademan intervened.
• While waiting for Han Shuo, the leaders questioned Valklan and Chester about him, and Delia overheard their lewd account of his capture of Helen Tina.
• Han Shuo emerged from the inner room, apologized for being late, and said he had prepared unusual delicacies for his guests.

Han Shuo hosted the five mountain leaders with a feast of rare magical beasts before persuading them to cooperate with Brettel City. The leaders pledged to help defend the city, and Han Shuo promised to protect their mines, resettle their people, and provide weapons.

• Han Shuo served Jack, Dokes, Delia, and the mountain leaders rare magical-beast meats, which they eagerly devoured.
• Han Shuo told the leaders he would protect Brettel City and their mining mountains, and Fokalin pledged Tali Mountain's support.
• Han Shuo proposed moving the thirty or forty thousand mountain people into empty homes in Brettel City while leaving the mines under the leaders' control.
• Han Shuo asked the mountain people to help defend Brettel City, and the leaders swore to protect it with their lives.
• Han Shuo offered the leaders weapons and armor taken from the bandits, winning their gratitude while Jack lamented the cost.

Han Shuo returned to the Underground World to find the magic crystal ore the Lizardmen had discovered and learned that the Violet Thorn Knights were already searching for it. After meeting Dark Curtain mage Chris, he headed with her to find Emily and learn more about the mission.

• Han Shuo entered the Underground World alone after searching for Violet Thorn Knights near the entrance and finding no trace of them.
• Han Shuo defeated a band of Bat People, captured their leader, and forced him to reveal that the Violet Thorn Knights were seeking the Lizardmen's magic crystal ore.
• The Bat Person led Han Shuo to a large Lizardman settlement, where Han Shuo's Yin Demon spotted a human hiding nearby.
• Han Shuo discovered that the hidden human was Chris, a Dark Curtain mage he had met before, and learned she knew where Emily was.
• Chris agreed to guide Han Shuo to Emily and described the situation in the Underground World as they traveled.

Han Shuo learned that the Violet Thorn Knights had failed to seize the Lizardmen’s magic crystal mine and went to Dark Curtain’s camp to find Emily. After Chris realized he had killed Selt’s Green Dragon and cut off Selt’s ear, Han Shuo admitted it to Emily.

• Chris told Han Shuo that the Violet Thorn Knights had retreated after a strange creature in the Lizardmen’s mine defeated their efforts.
• Han Shuo said he had come to the Dark Forest partly to obtain magic crystal ore and partly to eliminate Selt.
• Wallis blocked Han Shuo from entering Dark Curtain’s camp, but Han Shuo forced him aside and continued toward Emily.
• Chris recognized Han Shuo as the person who had killed Selt’s Green Dragon and cut off his ear, leaving Wallis frightened.
• Emily took Han Shuo aside, accused him of flirting with Chris, and then learned that he had indeed attacked Selt.

Han Shuo investigated the Lizardmen’s magic crystal mine at Upside-Down Gourd Mountain, but a powerful creature inside detected his scout and forced him to retreat. While waiting for Selt and the Violet Thorn Knights to return, Han Shuo conceived a way to refine undead creatures so they could resist holy light, then spotted the approaching knights and Dark Elves.

• Han Shuo learned from Emily that Selt knew he had saved the Dark Curtain members and that the Violet Thorn Knights had a fire Archmage named Masor with them, then told her Masor was dead.
• Han Shuo visited the mine at Upside-Down Gourd Mountain and sent the Earth Armor Zombie underground, but a powerful creature sensed him and made him retreat as Lizardmen emerged from the mountain.
• Han Shuo decided to wait for Selt’s forces rather than risk entering the mine, and he considered ways to advance his Demonic Cultivation Art more quickly.
• Han Shuo realized he could use his Demonic Cultivation Art to refine high-level undead creatures so they could withstand holy light, and he planned to experiment at the Death Cemetery.
• Han Shuo’s Yin Demon spotted the Violet Thorn Knights approaching with the Dark Elves and Matriarch Dana, and he prepared to watch them confront the creature inside the mountain.

Han Shuo watched Selt’s Violet Thorn Knights and the Dark Elves attack the Lizardmen at Gourd Mountain, using the chaos to send the Earth Armor Zombie underground. The zombie revealed that an ancient Magic Array was imprisoning the enormous creature beneath the mountain, leaving Han Shuo worried that the attackers’ explosives might destroy the array.

• Selt joined forces with Yalin and Dana’s Dark Elves, hoping to seize the Magic Crystal Ore deposit and kill the fire-fearing creature beneath Gourd Mountain.
• Yalin demanded that the Lizardmen abandon Paparia, but their leader refused and declared that their true god would defend their land.
• Selt sent Cassel and the Violet Thorn Knights into Gourd Mountain, while Dana led her Dark Elves in an attack on the Lizardmen.
• As the invaders advanced with Goblins Bombs, Han Shuo sent the Earth Armor Zombie deeper underground while the creature roared in fury.
• The Earth Armor Zombie reached the creature and saw it trapped within an enormous ancient octagonal Magic Array, prompting Han Shuo to fear that the explosives could destroy its prison.

Han Shuo learned that the Lizard Progenitor King Daxiaxi had manipulated the Violet Thorn Knights and Dark Elves into destroying the mountain that imprisoned him, then agreed to rescue the Lizardmen in exchange for the Magic Crystal Ore. After hiding the Lizardmen underground, Han Shuo trapped the invaders inside Gourd Mountain and set the Goblin explosives alight.

• The Earth Armor Zombie resisted Daxiaxi’s strange attacks by making the earth tremble, while Daxiaxi struck the invading Violet Thorn Knights and Dark Elves as they planted explosives and slaughtered Lizardmen.
• Han Shuo discovered that Daxiaxi did not fear fire or explosives and had deceived the invaders into freeing him, then promised to save the Lizardmen in exchange for the Magic Crystal Ore.
• Han Shuo used the Demon-Slaying Edge to cut through the Magic Crystals and reach Daxiaxi, then led the surviving Lizardmen into an underground passage.
• Han Shuo summoned undead creatures to block the caves and throw the Goblin explosives back at the Violet Thorn Knights and Dark Elves, trapping them inside Gourd Mountain.
• Han Shuo ignited the explosives and fled toward the passage as the trapped invaders panicked.

Han Shuo escaped as Gourd Mountain collapsed, destroying the magic array and freeing the immensely powerful Lizard Progenitor King Daxiaxi. Daxiaxi devastated the invading forces and pursued Selt and Yalin, while Han Shuo joined the chase; the chapter ended with Selt redirecting toward Cecilia and the others.

• Explosions brought down Gourd Mountain, killing many of Selt's and Yalin's soldiers and breaking the array that imprisoned Daxiaxi.
• Daxiaxi emerged from the ruins with his sealed power restored, while Han Shuo escaped and recognized Cassel in the form of a goshawk.
• Cassel identified Han Shuo as the one who helped free Daxiaxi, and Daxiaxi attacked the invaders, killing hundreds as Selt ordered a retreat and Yalin fled.
• Han Shuo urged Daxiaxi to pursue Selt and Yalin, while the arriving Dark Curtain members spotted Han Shuo riding on the Lizard Progenitor King.
• Selt redirected his fleeing forces toward Cecilia and the others after hearing them, bringing the rampaging Daxiaxi toward their position.

Han Shuo and Daxiaxi fought off Selt’s forces as they threatened Cecilia and Emily. After Cassel and Yalin were killed and Selt retreated, Han Shuo went with Emily to pursue him while sending the Earth Armor Zombie to search Yalin’s underground remains.

• Daxiaxi assumed human form, then attacked Cassel after Han Shuo struck the Earth Bear with the Demon-Slaying Edge and Emily restrained him with Hands of Death.
• Daxiaxi crushed Cassel, while Han Shuo saved Emily and let Cecilia and the others flee without intervening for them.
• Han Shuo used the Demon-Slaying Edge to swallow Yalin’s dark-element python and two archers, and Daxiaxi killed Yalin underground as he tried to escape.
• Han Shuo mocked Selt into abandoning his pursuit of Cecilia, then learned from Emily that Cecilia’s grandfather was a Saint Archmage and one of Dark Curtain’s oldest Elders.
• Daxiaxi charged after Selt, and Han Shuo took Emily with him to go after Selt and his divine artifact Starry Sky.
• Han Shuo commanded the Earth Armor Zombie to search for Yalin’s valuables while leaving Cassel’s body alone.

Han Shuo obtained Starry Sky and Selt’s wealth from Daxiaxi in exchange for protecting the Lizardmen and agreeing to a future condition. Daxiaxi then recognized Han Shuo’s Skeleton Magic Staff as his former master’s and warned that the Qio Continent held powers greater than his own, while Cecilia and the others cautiously approached.

• Daxiaxi killed Selt and his Violet Thorn Knights, then offered Han Shuo Starry Sky, Selt’s Spatial Ring, and Gourd Mountain’s magic crystal ore in return for protecting the Lizardmen and accepting a condition for their next meeting.
• Han Shuo agreed, took Starry Sky and Selt’s Spatial Ring, and summoned Skeleton Warriors to collect valuables from the battlefield, leaving usable weapons for the Lizardmen.
• Daxiaxi recognized Han Shuo’s Skeleton Magic Staff as belonging to his former master and said its secrets could be uncovered by mastering it.
• Daxiaxi revealed that he was a fifth-stage super-tier magical beast, had been sealed for nearly five thousand years, and believed stronger beings might remain on the Qio Continent.
• Emily asked Han Shuo whether she should accompany him as Cecilia and the others cautiously approached Daxiaxi.

Han Shuo persuaded Daxiaxi to spare Cecilia and the Dark Curtain members, then collected valuable spoils, including Masor’s spatial tent. After Daxiaxi reunited with the Lizardmen, he learned that Han Shuo’s Earth Armor Zombie had developed independent thoughts, and the Lizardmen pledged to follow Han Shuo.

• Daxiaxi offered to kill Cecilia’s group, but Han Shuo insisted they were colleagues and let them leave.
• Cecilia thanked Han Shuo for saving her, then teased Emily about her feelings for him; Emily admitted she cared for him, and Cecilia promised to help them.
• Han Shuo gathered the battlefield’s weapons and valuables and claimed Masor’s spacious magical tent for himself.
• Han Shuo and Daxiaxi returned to Gourd Mountain, where the Lizardmen recognized Daxiaxi as their true god and bowed before him.
• The Earth Armor Zombie expressed a wish to return to the Undead Dimension, surprising Daxiaxi, and Han Shuo explained that his Martial Technique could make undead creatures intelligent and able to evolve.
• Daxiaxi told the Lizardman chief that the Lizardmen would follow Han Shuo from then on.

After returning from the underground world with a fortune in ore and spoils, Han Shuo learned that the Dark Curtain had promoted him to Second Sun Envoy. He directed Brettel City’s preparations for future conflict and handed Jack valuable supplies and funds, leaving the city better equipped for its next battles.

• Han Shuo left the underground world after promising Daxiaxi that he would look after the Lizardmen and returned to the City Lord’s Mansion in Brettel City.
• Dick reported that Candida praised Han Shuo’s actions and that the king had approved his promotion to Second Sun Envoy.
• Dokes reported that twenty thousand Mountain People had settled in Brettel City and that the Seven Grand Duchies were unlikely to attack for at least a month.
• Han Shuo ordered Dokes and Valklan to train their troops by targeting bandit groups that had raided Brettel City.
• Dick revealed that rumors about Han Shuo and Helen Tina had damaged relations between the Nathan and Xilun Duchies.
• Han Shuo gave Jack Spatial Rings containing Violet Thorn Knights’ armor, magic crystal ore, jewels, and nearly a million gold coins for Brettel City’s use.

Han Shuo received supplies and a divine artifact from Fubin'en, then returned to the Death Cemetery to use the Twelve Demon-Nurturing Soul-Shattering Formation on three Evil Knights and their mounts. He began suppressing their resistance as the formation’s twelve demons returned to their banners.

• Fubin'en and the merchants brought a large shipment of supplies to Brettel City, where Jack paid them and heard that more merchants planned to open shops there.
• Jack told Fubin'en that Brian had entrusted him with wealth worth more than three million gold coins, and that he planned to use it to strengthen Brettel City.
• Fubin'en gave Han Shuo a Spatial Ring from Phoebe, and Han Shuo entrusted him with Starry Sky and another list of requested items.
• Han Shuo returned to the Death Cemetery, prepared the Twelve Demon-Nurturing Soul-Shattering Formation, and summoned three Evil Knights into its pit.
• Han Shuo activated the formation, causing the twelve demons to emerge from his body and settle on the banners while the Evil Knights and their mounts struggled against their contracts.
• Han Shuo sat before the pit and used all his mental power to suppress the three Evil Knights as their bone spikes swept over him.

Han Shuo completed the costly reforging of three Evil Knights and began cultivating twelve Xuan Demons before the Skeleton Magic Staff transported his consciousness to the Otherworld. There he witnessed Little Skeleton conquer Mummy Lord Faluri, then returned to the Death Cemetery with a new understanding of Little Skeleton’s power and the staff’s ability to connect worlds.

• Han Shuo finished reforging three Evil Knights, concluded that tempering large numbers of undead was too costly, and began refining twelve Xuan Demons.
• While studying the Skeleton Magic Staff, Han Shuo’s consciousness crossed into the Otherworld, where he saw Little Skeleton and the other undead commanding a vast army.
• Little Skeleton defeated Mummy Lord Faluri, forced him to submit through a soul contract, and prepared to claim his territory.
• Han Shuo tried to contact Little Skeleton, but his consciousness dispersed; Little Skeleton sensed that his father had been nearby.
• Han Shuo returned to the Death Cemetery and realized the Skeleton Magic Staff had carried his consciousness to the Otherworld, where Little Skeleton had become extraordinarily powerful.