Recaps

Wang Chong captured Huangzhou Prefecture after Bo Yang marched away, while his other columns continued taking cities across the Five Provinces. He began reorganizing the newly conquered territory and advanced his cultivation, ending with a promise to show Jiang Wenjun around the city.

• Bo Yang marched out with the Heavenly Bear Army under an unclear edict, leaving Huangzhou Prefecture poorly defended.
• Wang Chong's five columns bypassed Bo Yang's army, and Wang Chong captured Huangzhou's capital by entering through its gates disguised as Heavenly Bear troops.
• Wang Chong received reports that Sun Mingke had taken six prefectural cities and Yueliduo, Dong Qing, and Mo Zhenxing had each taken five.
• Wang Chong sent Yuwen Xuandu to organize Huangzhou's officials into a Ya Office and planned to strip them of authority.
• Wang Chong meditated and improved his cultivation, then promised Jiang Wenjun that he would accompany her around Huangzhou Prefecture the next day.

After Sun Mingke’s army captured another city, he rewarded Jiang Wenyue by teaching him the Vajra Prajna Palm, which Jiang quickly began to master. Having experienced life as a slave and now enjoying the army’s food stalls, Jiang noticed a richly dressed young woman buying food.

• Sun Mingke’s troops captured a city after a battle lasting more than four hours.
• Sun Mingke asked Jiang Wenyue what reward he wanted, and Jiang asked to learn superior martial arts.
• Sun Mingke taught Jiang Wenyue the Vajra Prajna Palm and promised to seek a stronger art from Wang Chong.
• Jiang Wenyue practiced the palm art, formed two layers of force, and knocked down much of a wall with one strike.
• Jiang Wenyue bought flatbreads and soup from a Tailwind Army stall and noticed a noble-looking young woman buying food.

Jiang Wenyue resisted Jade Slave’s charm and hidden weapons, then fled to Sun Mingke, who recognized her as a disciple of the Azure Emperor Palace. Jade Slave revealed that her master had sent her to meet Wen Zhengchun about a possible alliance, and she wondered what sort of man he would be.

• A Tailwind Army soldier noticed Jiang Wenyue’s unusual presence, prompting Jiang to leave and run to warn Sun Mingke.
• Jade Slave intercepted Jiang, but he shattered her Lovesick Beans with a saber strike and escaped her pursuit.
• Sun Mingke confronted Jade Slave and identified himself as a disciple of the Taiyi Sect; she introduced herself as Jade Slave of the Azure Emperor Palace.
• Jade Slave told Sun Mingke that her master had sent her to meet Wen Zhengchun and explore joining forces, and Sun assigned Jiang Wenyue to escort her to Huangzhou Prefecture.
• Jade Slave reflected on rumors that Wen Zhengchun was a lustful, ruthless fiend and wondered whether he would try to seduce her.

Jiang Wenyue and Jade Slave reached Huangzhou Prefecture as the Heavenly Bear Army returned, and Wang Chong defended the city while learning that the Eastern Yi Demon Sect wanted to join him. Outside the walls, Military Governor Bo Yang concluded that the imperial court had left him no safe choice and considered pledging allegiance to Wang Chong.

• Jiang Wenyue escorted Jade Slave toward Huangzhou Prefecture, where they found the Heavenly Bear Army converging on the city.
• Jiang Wenyue and Jade Slave fought through the Heavenly Bear Army scouts and reached Huangzhou Prefecture's gates.
• Wang Chong rode out to cut down an approaching cavalry troop, then brought Jiang Wenyue and Jade Slave onto the battlements.
• Jiang Wenyue told Wang Chong that the Eastern Yi Demon Sect wished to join forces with him.
• Wang Chong explained the Heavenly Bear Army's supply problems as Military Governor Bo Yang feared the consequences of either winning or losing and considered killing the imperial envoy to pledge allegiance to Wang Chong.

Wang Chong’s attempt to persuade the Heavenly Bear Army to surrender unexpectedly convinced Bo Yang that Third Lord Jiang planned to destroy him and his household. Bo Yang killed the imperial envoy, then surrendered with his army to Wang Chong, who took control of the force.

• Wang Chong warned Bo Yang that he had been impeached, and Yuwen Xuandu explained how Third Lord Jiang had caused Li Geshu and Li Bolong to be executed.
• Terrified that Third Lord Jiang would destroy his household, Bo Yang summoned the imperial envoy and asked whether the Jiang Family had sent a message.
• The envoy threatened Bo Yang, so Bo Yang cut off his head and told his generals the court had condemned them through Third Lord Jiang’s influence.
• Bo Yang’s generals agreed to follow him, and Bo Yang led a small group to Huangzhou Prefecture’s walls to declare his surrender.
• Wang Chong and Yuwen Xuandu went out to receive Bo Yang, then took control of the Heavenly Bear Army within hours.

Wang Chong reorganized the surrendered Heavenly Bear Army and launched a rapid campaign to seize Ling Prefecture, relying on Gao Gun to draw Feng Pofeng’s troops away. After capturing several cities, Wang Chong positioned his forces at Great Thunder Mountain to block Lü Feng’s return route.

• Wang Chong broke up the Heavenly Bear Army, expanded his Wind-Treading Cavalry, reassigned its troops, and appointed Bo Yang to govern Chi Prefecture with Wang Dong as his deputy.
• After Gao Gun sent word that Tongzhou appeared undefended, Wang Chong announced his plan to attack Feng Pofeng’s forces in Ling Prefecture despite Bo Yang’s warnings.
• Wang Chong split his army into six forces and advanced into Ling Prefecture, while Gao Gun successfully induced Feng Pofeng’s army to move.
• Sun Mingke captured five cities in seven days, and Yueliduo, Dong Qing, and Mo Zhenxing each took a prefectural city; Bo Yang captured none.
• Wang Chong led his army to Great Thunder Mountain to block Lü Feng’s return route, where he found Jade Slave training Jiang Wenyue as her disciple.

Wang Chong tested Jiang Wenyue’s aptitude and taught him two martial arts, then asked Jade Slave to send two thousand people from the Eastern Yi Demon Sect to work across the prefectures. A military dispatch reported that An Dushan had rebelled and marched on Luoyang, leaving Wang Chong startled by the news.

• Wang Chong tested Jiang Wenyue with several breathing formulas and concluded that his constitution suited external martial arts.
• Wang Chong taught Jiang Wenyue the Six Qi Skin-Aspect Method and the Dragon Elephant Maha Great True Force, and explained how to practice them.
• Jade Slave agreed to send two thousand people from the Eastern Yi Demon Sect to serve across the prefectures.
• A Tailwind Army scout reported that An Dushan had rebelled and marched on Luoyang.
• Wang Chong wondered why so many people had rebelled, and the scout clarified that the offices belonged to An Dushan alone.

As Wang Chong’s forces conquered most of Ling Prefecture, he besieged its remaining prefectural seat while avoiding a costly assault. A scout then reported that five thousand troops had come out of the city, giving Wang Chong a chance to act.

• Yuwen Xuandu reported that Feng Pofeng had sent out more than a dozen parties and several hundred commoners, all of whom he had captured.
• Wang Chong ordered Yuwen Xuandu to recruit useful captives, send the rest to hard labor, and seize anyone who left Ling Prefecture’s seat.
• Wang Chong told Jiang Wenjun that he was besieging the city rather than risking heavy losses, and argued that An Dushan would reach his limit after taking Luoyang.
• Wang Chong wondered why An Dushan had rebelled, while Jiang Wenjun said she did not know the reason.
• A Tailwind Army scout reported that roughly five thousand troops had come out of Ling Prefecture’s seat.

Wang Chong led eight hundred Wind-Treading Cavalry against the Ling Prefecture Army and found himself locked in a horseback duel with Li Kerang, one of the Five Tigers. After Wang Chong’s men routed Li Kerang’s troops, he paralyzed Li Kerang with a hair-strike, then released him and invited him to fight again.

• Wang Chong led his eight hundred Wind-Treading Cavalry into the Ling Prefecture Army’s camp and began fighting Li Kerang, whose immense strength and heavy lance matched Wang Chong’s horseback techniques.
• Yuwen Xuandu charged into the Ling Prefecture Army while Jiang Wenjun stayed near Wang Chong to guard him.
• Wang Chong and Li Kerang exchanged more than a hundred moves, and Li Kerang revealed that he was one of the Five Tigers and the son of Li Geshu.
• Wang Chong tricked Li Kerang into looking toward his troops, then struck his Fengchi acupoint with a hair and made him fall from his horse.
• After waiting an hour, Wang Chong pointed out that Li Kerang’s troops had been routed, restored Li Kerang’s movement, and challenged him to fight again.

Wang Chong defeated Li Kerang and persuaded him to join his forces by promising him revenge against the Jiang Clan. As Wang Chong’s campaign brought Ling Prefecture nearly under his control, an envoy from An Dushan arrived with a proposal to form a marriage alliance.

• Wang Chong repeatedly defeated Li Kerang, then won him over by promising he could one day dig up a Jiang Clan imperial tomb to avenge his executed family.
• Li Kerang agreed to join Wang Chong, who assigned him three thousand Wind-Treading Cavalry and made Jiang Wenyue his deputy.
• Wang Chong learned that Feng Pofeng had sent Li Kerang to relieve Peach Blossom Mountain, and later received word that all of Ling Prefecture except its isolated seat had fallen.
• Yuwen Xuandu advised Wang Chong to send surrender letters into the city, and his men began shooting dozens of letters into it each day.
• An envoy from An Dushan arrived at Great Thunder Mountain, and after Wang Chong demanded he state his business, the envoy proposed a marriage alliance.

Wang Chong rejected An Dushan’s offer of an alliance, but accepted the treasures sent with the envoy and discovered the power of the Heavenly Martial Great Spear and Divine Power Battle Armor. After distributing the other gifts to Tailwind Army squad leaders as business capital, he received an envoy from Wudang.

• Wang Chong refused An Dushan’s envoy’s proposal to join forces, explaining that the Empress was his mother, while Yuwen Xuandu demanded concrete benefits and suggested An Dushan send five hundred thousand people.
• The envoy left the gifts he had brought, and Yuwen Xuandu opened the chests for Wang Chong.
• Wang Chong tested the Heavenly Martial Great Spear and confirmed that it accepted his Pure Yang internal power but resisted his Nine-Headed Dragon King Aspect.
• Yuwen Xuandu identified the Divine Power Battle Armor and explained that it strengthened protective Gang Qi by the equivalent of thirty percent of a Grandmaster Realm cultivator’s power.
• Wang Chong distributed the ordinary jewels among Tailwind Army squad leaders as business capital and gave them instructions on using the money.
• An envoy from Wudang arrived in Chang’an seven or eight days after An Dushan’s envoy departed.

Mi Ang delivered the Empress’s decree appointing Wang Chong to several posts and privately told him not to send troops against An Dushan. After winning Mi Ang’s trust with hospitality and poetry, Wang Chong asked his senior brother to teach him Wudang martial arts.

• Mi Ang introduced himself as Mo Zhenxing’s senior brother and asked Wang Chong to spare Bo Yang, whose son was his friend.
• Wang Chong assured Mi Ang that Bo Yang and the officials of Huangzhou Prefecture were unharmed, and accepted the Empress’s decree appointing him Military Governor of Tong, Ba, and Yan and Grand Protector of Nine-Bend.
• Mi Ang met Yuwen Xuandu and learned that the Empress had privately ordered Wang Chong not to concern himself with An Dushan or send troops.
• Wang Chong hosted Mi Ang at a banquet and later discussed poetry with him on Great Thunder Mountain, impressing the Wudang disciple.
• Wang Chong asked Mi Ang for instruction in Wudang martial arts, and Mi Ang agreed, mentioning his knowledge of Suppress the Canghai and the Purple Flame Hand.

Wang Chong learned the Suppress the Canghai sword technique from Mi Ang and welcomed more than two hundred Wudang disciples into his forces. After Mi Ang departed, Wang Chong's men intervened when Ling Prefecture soldiers attacked Feng Pofeng's family as they tried to flee.

• Mi Ang taught Wang Chong the Suppress the Canghai sword technique, which Wang Chong mastered in a few hours.
• Mi Ang handed more than two hundred young Wudang disciples over to Wang Chong, who assigned them in pairs to the Wind-Treading Cavalry squads.
• After staying at Great Thunder Mountain for seven or eight days, Mi Ang departed for Chang'an, and Wang Chong escorted him away with the new disciples.
• Wang Chong heard that Ling Prefecture soldiers were surrounding an old servant, Feng Pofeng's concubine, and Feng Pofeng's son, so he led his men to investigate.
• Li Zhongshan quickly defeated the old servant, captured the woman, and brought Feng Pofeng's son to Wang Chong.

Wang Chong captured Feng Pofeng’s son and concubine, drawing Feng’s army into a failed attack on Great Thunder Mountain. While Feng retreated, Sun Mingke seized Ling Prefecture, giving Wang Chong control of seven connected prefectures and prompting him to appoint Qin Gao as its commander.

• Wang Chong learned why Feng Pofeng had sent his son away, captured the boy and his mother, and released the old servant to carry a message back to Feng.
• Wang Chong sent the mother and son to Tongzhou and ordered Sun Mingke, Dong Qing, Yueliduo, Mo Zhenxing, and Bo Yang to converge on Ling Prefecture.
• Feng Pofeng attacked Great Thunder Mountain for two days, but Wang Chong’s defenses held; when Feng’s army withdrew, Wang Chong pursued it toward Ling Prefecture.
• Wang Chong discovered that Sun Mingke had taken Ling Prefecture and entered the city, where he helped suppress the remaining fighting over the next two days.
• Yueliduo and Dong Qing pursued Feng Pofeng, while Mo Zhenxing changed course to join the pursuit; Wang Chong assigned Bo Yang to Chi Prefecture.
• Wang Chong ordered Qin Gao to take charge of Ling Prefecture and promoted Li Zhongshan to be Qin Gao’s deputy.

Wang Chong consolidated his seven provinces while weighing the dangers posed by the grassland tribes, An Dushan, and his own shortage of troops and provisions. As Jiang Wenjun tried to comfort him, Gao Gun led more than fifty thousand troops toward the Post-Deer Tribe, eager to expand his territory.

• Lü Feng surrendered thirty thousand troops to the scholar who drove him and his soldiers back to the White Camel Tribe, while Sun Mingke killed Feng Pofeng and other generals returned with prisoners and spoils.
• Wang Chong strengthened his control over seven provinces, reorganized his troops, and practiced the Suppress the Canghai sword art as An Dushan and the court repeatedly pressed him for military aid.
• Wang Chong told Jiang Wenjun that the grassland tribes, An Dushan, and the lack of troops and provisions were among the challenges threatening his position.
• Jiang Wenjun massaged Wang Chong's head as he rested with his head in her lap.
• Gao Gun marched more than fifty thousand troops toward the Post-Deer Tribe and told his disciple that their recent victories made expanding their territory worthwhile.

Wang Chong visited Yueliduo at her military camp, where they discussed training soldiers and grew intimate. After revealing the false scars she had used to disguise herself, Yueliduo asked about Wang Chong’s restless way of living, and he silently reflected on his fear of being sent away from this world.

• Wang Chong woke from a dream beside Jiang Wenjun and went to find Yueliduo at her camp.
• Wang Chong and Yueliduo discussed how training ordinary soldiers in martial arts could strengthen their army but threaten commanders and accomplished martial artists.
• Yueliduo brought Wang Chong to her tent, where he caressed her legs and she removed her veil to reveal scars that were partly disguised.
• Wang Chong rubbed away Yueliduo’s false scars, and she explained that she had disfigured herself because she feared he would otherwise kill her.
• Yueliduo asked whether Wang Chong felt anxious and lived as if each day were his last, and he silently considered his fear of being sent away.

After An Dushan seized Luoyang through Copper Pass, Wang Chong learned that the captured commander Li Cunshou would be executed and decided to rescue him. Wang Chong and three Grandmaster Realm companions entered Luoyang, discovered where Li Cunshou was held, and found that An Dushan planned to behead him in five days.

• A scout reported that An Dushan had taken Copper Pass and Luoyang after Third Lord Jiang removed the experienced commander and the replacement lost the pass.
• Wang Chong learned that Li Cunshou, one of the Four Braves, had been captured and was due to be executed, so he decided to recruit him by rescuing him.
• Wang Chong, Yueliduo, Jiang Wenjun, and Yuwen Xuandu secretly rode toward Luoyang with five Wudang Disciples, then crossed Copper Pass using their lightness skills.
• Yuwen Xuandu used his local connections to get the four companions into Luoyang and uncover Li Cunshou's location and situation.
• Wang Chong learned that An Dushan planned to behead Li Cunshou and several officials in five days.

Wang Chong took Yueliduo to Luoyang’s West Market, where he intervened when a foreign female slave tried to escape and seized the slave trader’s business by force. The chapter leaves Yuwen Xuandu meeting with former military retainers who wanted to rescue their master.

• Wang Chong disguised Yueliduo and Jiang Wenjun as Turkic warriors and took them sightseeing around Luoyang.
• Wang Chong and Yueliduo visited the West Market, where a female slave wounded her own face to avoid being sold.
• Wang Chong rescued the female slave, killed the trader who demanded more money, and let her leave with his money pouch.
• Wang Chong took control of the slave trader’s guards and company, killing those who resisted.
• Yuwen Xuandu met with former military retainers who wanted to rescue their master.

Yuwen Xuandu secretly contacted Shi Langying and Li Cunshou’s former troops, then reported their rescue plan to Wang Chong, who tasked him with meeting Li Cunshou in prison. Li Cunshou found a tiny saw hidden in his steamed bun, but his sealed True Qi left him doubting he could use it to escape.

• Yuwen Xuandu disguised himself as Mister Jade and promised Shi Langying a way to smuggle supplies into prison and help Li Cunshou escape.
• Yuwen Xuandu returned to the inn and followed a messenger to Wang Chong at the West Market.
• Yuwen Xuandu told Wang Chong that Shi Langying’s men wanted to rescue Li Cunshou, and Wang Chong assigned him to visit the prison in his place.
• Wang Chong promised Yuwen Xuandu authority over the Ya Offices in the Seven Provinces if the rescue plan succeeded.
• Li Cunshou discovered a small saw blade hidden inside his steamed bun and realized his sealed True Qi might make it useless.

Yuwen Xuandu visited the imprisoned Li Cunshou and negotiated the terms under which he would serve Wang Chong. Wang Chong accepted Li Cunshou’s revised conditions and ordered Yuwen Xuandu to arrange a meeting with the general’s subordinates.

• Yuwen Xuandu disguised himself as a jailer and found Li Cunshou imprisoned and gravely weakened.
• Li Cunshou rejected recruitment unless Wang Chong agreed to three conditions, then revised them to demand his own army, allegiance to the Jiang, and freedom to rescue Emperors Qin and Hou.
• Yuwen Xuandu returned to Wang Chong and reported Li Cunshou’s terms.
• Wang Chong agreed to all three revised conditions, promising Li Cunshou command of the Yamen Army and freedom to attempt the rescue.
• Wang Chong told Yuwen Xuandu to relay his answer and summon Li Cunshou’s subordinates, using a merchant caravan to conceal their identities.

Wang Chong and Shi Langying became sworn brothers and prepared a plan to free Li Cunshou from prison and escape Luoyang. After Yuwen Xuandu restored Li Cunshou’s True Qi, the rescue party set out, with Wang Chong joining the raid for the first time.

• Wang Chong welcomed Shi Langying and Li Cunshou’s remaining loyal men, then promised to help rescue Li Cunshou and escape the city.
• Shi Langying swore brotherhood with Wang Chong, and gave Yueliduo and Jiang Wenjun a Hundred-Forged Patterned Blade each.
• Yuwen Xuandu entered the prison and restored Li Cunshou’s sealed True Qi, after which Li Cunshou urged them to raid the prison in the early hours.
• Wang Chong planned for a small group of skilled fighters to free Li Cunshou while the others waited near the gates disguised as a slave caravan.
• Shi Langying led the fighters toward the prison, while Wang Chong decided to conceal some of his martial arts.

Wang Chong led a raid on Luoyang’s jail and found Li Cunshou had freed every prisoner, forcing the group to escape together. After gathering horses and pushing through delays, they reached the city gate as it began to open.

• Wang Chong broke through the soldiers guarding the jail, while Li Cunshou emerged carrying two people and announced that he had freed every prisoner.
• Wang Chong sent Shi Langying and Li Cunshou ahead to seize the city gate, then ordered Yuwen Xuandu, Yueliduo, and Jiang Wenjun to defeat the remaining guards.
• Yuwen Xuandu disarmed Yang Tiehu, sealed his acupoints, and had him carried away while Wang Chong gathered horses for the prisoners who could not walk.
• Wang Chong went to the West Market with Yueliduo and Jiang Wenjun, robbed several horse merchants, and returned with more than three hundred horses.
• Wang Chong forced the prisoners onto horseback and led the group toward the opening city gate, calling out that they had urgent military business.

Wang Chong escaped An Dushan’s city with the prisoners, but Li Cunshou and Shi Langying were left behind after failing to follow him through the gate. After reaching safety, Wang Chong learned many of the rescued captives were prominent officials, while Gao Gun returned to the White Camel Tribe and discovered his disciple had arranged a major undertaking for him.

• Wang Chong knocked down the gate guard, led his disguised men out of the city, and shot the messenger and pursuing cavalry when they tried to stop him.
• Wang Chong realized Li Cunshou, Shi Langying, and their former Copper Pass troops had stayed inside the closed gate, and he refused to turn back for them.
• Wang Chong led the rescued prisoners through Copper Pass, where Yuwen Xuandu identified many of them as renowned officials whom Wang Chong hoped to put to use.
• Gao Gun captured Post-Deer Mountain and much of the Post-Deer Tribe, then returned to the White Camel Tribe rather than pursue the survivors.
• Gao Gun read the Tailwind Army’s reports and learned that his disciple had planned a major undertaking for him.

Wang Chong rescued the imprisoned officials in Luoyang and tried to lead them toward Yanzhou Prefecture, but An Dushan sent troops after them. His bold declaration of his aspirations won over Qiguan Sui, who agreed to join him, while hinting that he knew Wang Chong's true identity.

• Wang Chong reassured the imprisoned officials and claimed he had come alone to rescue them, then announced they would go to Yanzhou Prefecture despite their protests.
• An Dushan sent roughly two thousand rebel soldiers in pursuit, and Wang Chong stayed behind with his two consorts while ordering Yuwen Xuandu to lead the officials onward.
• An official recognized Yuwen Xuandu, who removed his disguise and admitted his identity, surprising the assembled officials.
• Qiguan Sui asked about Wang Chong's aspirations, and Wang Chong declared that he sought to establish peace and carry on the sages' teachings.
• Qiguan Sui pledged to support Wang Chong, and Wang Chong offered to acknowledge him as a teacher.
• Qiguan Sui told Wang Chong that the leader of the Way of Great Peace was extraordinary.

Wang Chong led the rescued officials and his companions in a charge that broke An Dushan’s pursuing cavalry, then convinced more than two thousand soldiers to surrender. He organized the new troops and welcomed Yang Tiehu, one of An Dushan’s Eight Biao, into his service.

• Qiguan Sui revealed that he knew Wang Chong was the Holy Lord of the Way of Great Peace and urged him to repel the pursuing enemy.
• Wang Chong, his Grandmaster companions, and over a hundred iron-boned officials charged the cavalry, killing its commander and throwing the enemy ranks into disarray.
• Wang Chong called on the cavalry to surrender, and most of the soldiers laid down their weapons; he divided them into squads and placed officials in command.
• Yuwen Xuandu brought Yang Tiehu to Wang Chong, and Yang Tiehu declared that he would serve the Prince of Yan.