Recaps

Lian Youming reassured Xie Ruomei about their separation, took her to collect earth from Third Brother Xie’s cremation site, and shared a sunrise with her before they traveled to Tahe. At the Logging Camp, a strange detail in the underground chamber made Lian Youming question Yang Dapao about the stone bed.

• Lian Youming comforted Xie Ruomei after she confessed her feelings, then carried her toward the Greater Khingan Mountains as Xu Tian and Li Shan discussed the danger of his possible Power-Scattering Tribulation.
• Lian Youming showed Xie Ruomei where Third Brother Xie had been cremated and gave her a bundle of earth to use for a memorial grave.
• Xie Ruomei asked to watch the sunrise with Lian Youming, and they shared wild fruit among the mountain flowers as dawn broke.
• Lian Youming and Xie Ruomei arrived at the Logging Camp, where Yang Dapao welcomed them and mistook Xie Ruomei for Lian Youming’s sweetheart.
• Lian Youming went to the underground chamber for soybean paste, noticed the stone bed was bare, and asked Yang Dapao if he had slept on it; Yang Dapao denied it, leaving Lian Youming troubled.

Lian Youming suspected the hidden chamber concealed the Mountain-Guarding Old Man and a formidable enemy, so he entered alone and discovered the enemy was directly behind him. The Mountain-Guarding Old Man burst from beneath the stone bed to attack, and the darkened chamber erupted into a deadly clash.

• Lian Youming guessed that the hidden chamber was the battlefield where the Mountain-Guarding Old Man and his mysterious enemy had been fighting.
• Lian Youming sent Xie Ruomei to fetch Xu Tian and the others, then went back into the cellar alone.
• Lian Youming sensed the enemy's decaying aura behind him and approached the stone bed, preparing to lure the enemy into striking.
• The Mountain-Guarding Old Man burst through the stone bed and attacked the enemy as his withered body transformed into a powerful young-looking form.
• Lian Youming's oil lamp shattered and went out, and two muffled Toad Croaks sounded as the fight erupted in the darkness.

Lian Youming risked his life to break the stalemate between the Mountain-Guarding Old Man and a mysterious enemy, who fled after a sudden interruption. After waiting at the Logging Camp, Lian Youming met the Mountain-Guarding Old Man again, who told him to follow.

• Lian Youming used the Toad-Fishing Skill and told the Mountain-Guarding Old Man that Gan Xuantong had been defeated, then endured the mysterious enemy’s attacks with the Golden Bell Cover.
• A stranger’s footstep interrupted the fight, allowing the Mountain-Guarding Old Man to strike the mysterious enemy and escape into the shadows.
• Lian Youming failed to pursue because his injuries left him weak, then returned to the dining hall and waited for the battle’s outcome.
• Xu Tian, Yang Shuang, Li Shan, and Xie Ruomei arrived at the cellar, where Lian Youming explained what had happened and reassured them.
• After the others left, Lian Youming spent the night at the Logging Camp until the Mountain-Guarding Old Man appeared and told him to follow.

Lian Youming watched the Mountain-Guarding Old Man perform Taiji Fist before the old man died, then spent the night practicing the forms he had learned. After his injuries healed and he prepared to leave Tahe, he asked Xu Tian to exchange moves, but Xu Tian instead drew him into a lesson in social manners by offering him a cigarette.

• Lian Youming and Yang Shuang followed the Mountain-Guarding Old Man to a lake, where he warned Lian Youming against recklessness and praised his courage.
• The Mountain-Guarding Old Man performed Yang-style Taiji Fist for Lian Youming and Yang Shuang, who watched as he completed the forms and died from his injuries.
• Xu Tian wrapped and carried away the Mountain-Guarding Old Man's remains, while Lian Youming stayed by the lake to practice Taiji Fist through the night.
• Lian Youming recovered over the following weeks as Xie Ruomei, Yang Shuang, and Li Yinhuan grew close; after his injuries healed, he asked Xu Tian to exchange moves.
• Xu Tian took Lian Youming inside, established himself as Lian Youming's elder, and offered him a cigarette, leaving Lian Youming with little choice but to accept.

Xu Tian tested Lian Youming with a deceptive cigarette-lighting attack, then warned him that hidden tricks could be deadly. Lian Youming chose to learn the technique, and as Xu Tian prepared to leave for Fengtian, Lian Youming said farewell to the group.

• Xu Tian chained a burst of sparks, Yama's Three-Point Hand, and a stamping step into an attack, but stopped before striking Lian Youming and showed him the button he had stolen from his collar.
• Xu Tian warned Lian Youming that the jianghu was full of people who hid their intentions, and urged him to be careful in the south.
• Xu Tian and Li Shan noticed that Lian Youming's cigarette had burned a hole in Xu Tian's sleeve, while Lian Youming sat quietly and considered the encounter.
• Lian Youming began imitating Xu Tian's cigarette trick, and Xu Tian protested that he had meant to warn him rather than teach him a lethal move.
• Xu Tian explained what the title 'demon' meant in the Martial Gate and described Xue Hen's obsessive martial arts training.
• Xu Tian said the group would leave for Fengtian before returning to Cangzhou, and Lian Youming told them he would part ways with them as Xie Ruomei sewed his button back on.

Yan Lingyun learned old medicine and martial arts principles from the Junk King, who treated his ruined leg and revealed his formidable breath technique. Meanwhile, Gan Xuantong learned that his injuries might end his martial path, discovered a sword wound on the Mountain-Guarding Old Man’s corpse, and ordered his subordinates killed before leaving for Hong Kong.

• Yan Lingyun prepared Earth Spirit Heaven-Mending Powder with her brothers and brought it to the Junk King.
• The Junk King showed Yan Lingyun his withered leg, explained how old medicines supported martial artists, and gave her a booklet of medicine and elixir formulas as betrothal gifts.
• After Yan Lingyun left, the Junk King swallowed the medicine and rice wine, then performed a powerful breathing technique in Lian Youming’s training cave.
• Gan Xuantong learned that his severe injuries required surgery and heard that Xu Tian’s group had recovered a body after the battle at Tahe.
• Two subordinates brought the Mountain-Guarding Old Man’s corpse, and Gan Xuantong noticed a sword wound on its throat, suggesting another fighter had been involved.
• Gan Xuantong said he would go to Hong Kong and told his subordinates they could go to the Yellow Springs.

Lian Youming returned to Xijing and learned that he had been accepted to Guangdong University, though his thoughts remained occupied by the dangers and relationships from his recent journey. As his family prepared for him to leave south, Yan Lingyun pressed him about a promise, and they were interrupted by his parents and neighbors.

• Lian Youming returned home, where Aunt Liu recognized him and the neighborhood gathered to celebrate his return.
• A matchmaker tried to arrange a marriage for Lian Youming, and Lian Shuang explained that word of his university acceptance had made him a popular prospect.
• Lian Youming saw his admission letter for Guangdong University and realized he would soon have to leave for the south.
• Yan Lingyun noticed his distraction, and Lian Youming privately reflected on his journey, Xie Ruomei, and the dangers still ahead before settling his thoughts.
• Yan Lingyun told Lian Youming his parents had packed his luggage and asked when he would fulfill his promise to her.
• Zhao Lanxiang and Lian Father entered with village elders, interrupting Lian Youming and Yan Lingyun as the neighbors teased them.

After his family’s celebration, Lian Youming visited Junk King, received a Green Gang token and a martial arts manual, and formally accepted him as his master. On August 20, Lian Youming and Yan Lingyun left for university in Wuzhou, while Junk King stayed behind, intent on returning to the battlefield to avenge his leg.

• Yan Guangming and Yan Zhaomei teased Lian Youming about the huge wedding celebration planned for Yan Lingyun, while Zhao Lanxiang and Yan Lingyun insisted he visit her family before going to university.
• Lian Youming visited Junk King, who advised him to grow strong enough to command respect without relying on the Green Gang’s influence and gave him a jade thumb ring and an unopened letter.
• Junk King gave Lian Youming the training method for Geng Metal Sword Know-how and told him to memorize it before practicing.
• Lian Youming kowtowed nine times, and Junk King accepted him as his formal disciple before vowing to return to the battlefield and avenge his broken leg.
• On August 20, Lian Youming and Yan Lingyun boarded a train for Wuzhou, Guangxi, after his parents gave them advice and Yan Lingyun gifted her watch to Lian Shuang.

Lian Youming and his companions endured a three-day train journey toward Wuzhou, where a mysterious woman named Zhu You slaughtered a group of martial artists on the train. After arriving in Guangzhou, Lian Youming thought he glimpsed the White Lotus Sect Master in the crowd.

• Lian Youming read Journey to the West, and Yan Lingyun explained its links between the novel’s characters and essence, qi, and spirit before he shut the book.
• Lian Youming shared Zhao Lanxiang’s braised meat with Yan Lingyun, Yan Guangming, and Yan Zhaomei as they traveled by train.
• Lian Youming sensed a fight on the train and saw a ruthless martial artist pursue a beautiful woman named Zhu You.
• Zhu You lured the burly leader into asking her to join him, then killed him and the other martial artists on the train roof.
• Lian Youming offered his legs as a pillow for Yan Lingyun during the uncomfortable journey, and the four companions reached Guangzhou on the third day.
• Lian Youming thought he saw the White Lotus Sect Master in the crowd outside the Guangzhou station, but she disappeared from view.

Lian Youming arrived in Wuzhou with Yan Lingyun and met her large family, but Yan Lingyun’s father disappeared while visiting a patient. Suspecting the people who wanted the Earth Spirit Heaven-Mending Powder had abducted him, Lian Youming tracked them to a fishing boat and confronted them.

• Yan Lingyun and Lian Youming arrived in Wuzhou, where Yan Weijun brought them to the family’s home and clinic.
• Lian Youming met Yan Lingyun’s mother and many of her siblings and relatives, who welcomed him warmly.
• Yan Weijun reported that Father Yan had not returned from a house call, and Mother Yan organized the family’s response and warned Yan Lingyun and Lian Youming to leave if he was still missing by midnight.
• Yan Lingyun told Lian Youming that the disappearance was likely connected to the Earth Spirit Heaven-Mending Powder, and he learned that the suspected men were at Fumin Wharf.
• Lian Youming reached the fishing boat, climbed its hull, and heard the men press Father Yan to hand over the old medicine.
• Lian Youming asked the men whether they had hurt his father-in-law.

Lian Youming arrived on the fishing boat to rescue Mr. Yan from Taiji Gate fighters, then killed their leader and four experts in a sudden fight. He spared the two remaining men for the moment and said he would make their group give up for good.

• Lian Youming appeared on the boat and dismissed Mr. Yan’s warning before confronting the Taiji Gate leader.
• The bald leader demanded that Lian Youming kneel and return to Taiji Gate, but Lian Youming offered him a cigarette instead.
• Lian Youming used Witnessing Art and his martial skills to kill the bald leader and four Taiji Gate experts.
• Lian Youming checked that Mr. Yan was unharmed, and Mr. Yan explained that the two remaining men had brought Taiji Gate to test him.
• Lian Youming said he would make the group give up for good, and the two men fell to their knees begging for mercy.

Lian Youming rescued Yan Beitong, killed four Taiji Gate disciples, and ordered Zhang Asi to use the Green Gang’s name while handling the aftermath. As Yan Beitong returned home and Lian Youming reunited with Yan Lingyun, Zhang Asi brought a corpse to his family’s elder, who began preparing to notify both the Taiji Gate and the Green Gang.

• Lian Youming forced Zhang Asi and his companion to kill a dying Taiji Gate disciple, then told them to keep one body and use the Green Gang’s name when the Taiji Gate came asking.
• Zhang Asi resolved to follow Lian Youming’s instructions and keep the incident secret while waiting to see whether his family would sacrifice him.
• Lian Youming and Yan Beitong walked back to the clinic, where Yan Beitong voiced concern about the looming conflict and Lian Youming said he would handle it.
• Yan Beitong returned through the front entrance while Lian Youming slipped into the courtyard unseen, and Yan Lingyun kissed him when she found him safe.
• Zhang Asi delivered the bald Taiji Gate disciple’s corpse to an elder, who ordered messengers sent to the Taiji Gate and the Green Gang and told Zhang Asi to handle the matter.

Lian Youming spent a hot night practicing on the roof and taking Yan Lingyun for a walk, then learned that Taiji Gate master boxers were on their way to Wuzhou. He welcomed the coming fight and left the story facing a confrontation expected within days.

• Lian Youming reflected on the coming conflict with Taiji Gate and his long-awaited rival, Xue Hen, while practicing his Toad Croak technique beneath the moon.
• Yan Lingyun joined Lian Youming on the roof with bitter herbal tea, and the two fled for a riverside walk after Yan Guangming and Yan Zhaomei's noisy antics kept them awake.
• Lian Youming returned near dawn with Yan Lingyun on his back and encountered Yan Beitong disciplining Yan Guangming and Yan Zhaomei; Yan Lingyun explained that they had only gone for a walk.
• Yan Lingyun introduced Lian Youming to her returning second brother, Yan Weiguo, and the family ate breakfast together.
• A messenger passed Lian Youming a note saying Green Gang elders and Taiji Gate master boxers were expected in three days, and Lian Youming eagerly anticipated fighting the boxers.

Lian Youming spent two days with Yan Lingyun's family in Wuzhou while honing his Taiji Fist, then encountered Yang Shuang, who warned him that Taiji Gate was divided over his actions and that two ruthless Hidden Blades were heading south. He agreed to handle the conflict himself and planned to meet the Green Gang's elders first.

• Lian Youming joined Yan Lingyun's family feast, called home with her, and helped at the clinic over the next two days.
• Lian Youming trained in Taiji Fist and reflected on how bodily barriers kept his Inner Strength from flowing without obstruction.
• Lian Youming followed a mysterious woman beneath a banyan tree and discovered that Yang Shuang had arranged for her to protect her.
• Yang Shuang told Lian Youming that Taiji Gate's two Grand Boxers disagreed over revenge and that two Hidden Blades were coming south.
• Lian Youming declined Yang Shuang's offer to seek Aunt Chen's help, accepted her support, and learned she had kidnapped Zhang Asi to find him.
• Lian Youming found Zhang Asi unconscious in the banyan tree and decided to meet the Green Gang's elders first.

Lian Youming arranged to meet the Green Gang while keeping his identity concealed, and he learned that his marriage to Yan Lingyun had already been planned. At Fumin Wharf, he confronted two Green Gang elders and revealed a thumb ring that they recognized as Immortal Du’s Dragon Head Token.

• Lian Youming told Zhang Asi to keep his identity secret from the Green Gang and Taiji Gate, then hinted that he might take Zhang Asi as a disciple.
• Yan Beitong told Lian Youming that he and Yan Lingyun would marry around New Year and move to Guangzhou together.
• Lian Youming treated patients at the clinic, then disguised himself with a Nuo Opera Mask and went to Fumin Wharf after seeing the red flag.
• Lian Youming challenged the two Green Gang elders for occupying the seats of honor, but they demanded proof of his identity and questioned his authority.
• Lian Youming showed the elders his thumb ring, and they recognized it as Immortal Du’s Dragon Head Token.

Lian Youming used the Green Gang’s dragon head token to claim the seat of honor, and Yang Lian killed a fellow elder who questioned his origins. Yang Lian verified Lian Youming’s standing but warned him that the token could draw danger from a mysterious enemy, then revealed his own Axe Gang background and helped establish Lian Youming’s authority.

• The Green Gang elders recognized Lian Youming’s thumb ring as the dragon head token, and the elder in blue granted him the seat of honor.
• When the elder in black began probing Lian Youming’s origins, the elder in blue attacked him, and Lian Youming helped turn the clash against him.
• The elder in blue killed the elder in black for betraying his sworn brothers and then explained that Lian Youming still needed to reunite the scattered Green Gang forces.
• The elder in blue warned Lian Youming to keep the token secret, citing rumors that a powerful hidden enemy had threatened Du Xinwu and other underworld leaders.
• Yang Lian revealed that his branch came from the Axe Gang and that he had taken the generation name Xue, then warned Lian Youming that his cigarette trick was unconvincing.
• Lian Youming took responsibility for the corpse, summoned the others aboard, and Yang Lian had the eight young men pay their respects to him.

Lian Youming left the Zhang family with a warning and traveled to Guangzhou with Yan Lingyun and Yan Weidong. At the pier, he provoked two Taiji Gate experts and separated them, then arrived at the Yan family’s apartment building, where Yan Lingyun reunited with her sister-in-law and met the children.

• Lian Youming told Zhang Asi to warn his father not to covet the old medicine and asked him to watch over the Yan family.
• Yan Weidong arrived at the Yan home, introduced himself to Lian Youming, and prepared to take the siblings to Guangzhou.
• Lian Youming, Yan Lingyun, and Yan Weidong traveled by passenger boat to Guangzhou, where Lian Youming recognized two Taiji Gate experts at the pier.
• Lian Youming used the Toad-Fishing Skill to provoke the Taiji experts, then framed the fat one for groping a woman and caused him to leave the pier in pursuit.
• Lian Youming ignored the fat man's challenge and went with Yan Lingyun and Yan Weidong to their apartment building in an old Guangzhou neighborhood.
• Yan Lingyun embraced her sister-in-law at apartment 305, and two children came out to greet her.

Lian Youming settled into a new apartment with Yan Lingyun, then went to Dashatou Pier to meet the Hidden Blades fighter who had challenged him. After Sun Qiusheng recognized him as a mysterious member of the Green Gang’s Tong generation, Lian Youming struck him twice in the chest.

• Yan Lingyun and Lian Youming cleaned and furnished apartment 307, and Yan Lingyun insisted that it was their home even if they lived there only a few years.
• Yan Lingyun helped her brother’s children Xiaolei and Aying with their homework while Lian Youming left for Dashatou Pier to meet his challenger.
• Lian Youming and Sun Qiusheng identified themselves and traded taunts before moving to a secluded spot to fight.
• Sun Qiusheng and Lian Youming tested their strength in a fierce contest of inner force, then Sun Qiusheng spat blood into Lian Youming’s face and struck his chest with Iron Sand Palm.
• Lian Youming’s body expanded back to its full height, and Sun Qiusheng recognized him as a mysterious member of the Green Gang’s Tong generation before Lian Youming hit him twice in the chest.

Lian Youming fought Sun Qiusheng, revealing his hidden identity and demonstrating his mastery of Taiji techniques against Sun Qiusheng’s Iron Sand Palm. He defeated Sun Qiusheng with a counterattack after evading his concealed knee daggers, leaving him motionless on the ground.

• Lian Youming revealed that he had been the masked man in the Greater Khingan Mountains and taunted Sun Qiusheng for seeking his martial techniques.
• Lian Youming attacked with Spirit-Beating Whip and Taiji Hammer, while Sun Qiusheng used Iron Sand Palm to injure him.
• Lian Youming endured his injuries and continued attacking until Sun Qiusheng’s defense weakened and his ear and shoulder were badly hurt.
• Sun Qiusheng threw sand at Lian Youming, then attacked with concealed daggers hidden in his knees.
• Lian Youming used Gaze Attack to distract Sun Qiusheng, evaded the daggers, and struck his back with a kick and punch, sending him crashing to the ground motionless.

After killing Sun Qiusheng, Lian Youming hid his body and returned home, where he treated his injuries with the Golden Bell Cover. The Taiji Gate learned of Sun Qiusheng’s death and announced a thirty-thousand-yuan challenge, assigning Peng Bubai to fight Lian Youming.

• Lian Youming confirmed Sun Qiusheng was dead, hid the body, and returned to the Tube-Shaped Apartment Building with sweet soup for Yan Lingyun.
• Lian Youming spent the night using the Tiger Roaring Golden Bell Cover to heal the palm injuries Sun Qiusheng had inflicted.
• Lian Youming asked Yang Lian to dispose of Sun Qiusheng’s body and deliver the bloodstained clothes to the Taiji Gate, then gave Zhang Asi his address.
• Yang Lian’s men delivered Sun Qiusheng’s bloodstained clothes to the Taiji Gate’s Foshan school, where the disciples learned he had died.
• The Taiji Gate Grand Boxer announced a thirty-thousand-yuan prize for a contest of skill with Lian Youming and ordered Peng Bubai to face him.

Lian Youming took Yan Lingyun shopping, reunited with Sun Duhe, and accepted appliances from his old friend. After Yang Shuang warned him that Taiji Gate had offered a thirty-thousand-yuan reward for a challenge, Lian Youming decided to confront them and set the match for one month later.

• Lian Youming rode with Yan Lingyun to People's Department Store and bought her clothes, food, and other necessities.
• Sun Duhe recognized Lian Youming, offered to drive them home, and promised to provide a television, fan, and radio from his appliance business.
• Yang Shuang told Lian Youming that the Yan Family was safe but Taiji Gate had offered thirty thousand yuan for him to challenge them.
• Lian Youming said he would confront Taiji Gate, partly to help Yang Shuang and Aunt Chen, and asked Yang Shuang to pass along his challenge for one month later.

Lian Youming reunited with Sun Duhe, then enrolled in the Chinese department and learned that military training was about to begin. The chapter ended with Yan Lingyun teasing him about smelling of scented soap when he returned home.

• Sun Duhe told Lian Youming how he had learned to repair appliances, married Yan Tao, and built a successful business in Guangzhou.
• Lian Youming hosted Sun Duhe and his family for dinner, then gave him 2,500 yuan and agreed to become godparents to each other's children.
• Lian Youming prepared for the coming Battle Date, worried that the Taiji Gate Grand Boxer and another challenger might make it dangerous to leave.
• Lian Youming enrolled in the Chinese department, received a military uniform and textbooks, and met Zhu Yuan, a martial-arts-trained graduate student serving as adviser.
• The school announced medical examinations followed by four weeks of military training, and Lian Youming received his meal and dish coupons.
• Yan Lingyun smelled scented soap on Lian Youming when he returned home and demanded an explanation, prompting him to protest his innocence.

During military training, Lian Youming overheard adviser Zhu Yuan arguing with her younger brother about his plans to fight in Hong Kong’s Walled City. When the young man challenged Lian Youming with a hostile gaze, Lian subdued him without a fight and walked away.

• Lian Youming avoided the crowded dining hall and ate Yellow Essence beside an artificial lake.
• Lian Youming overheard Zhu Yuan warn her younger brother against entering the Walled City, where he hoped to test his martial arts and pursue Gong Wuer.
• Zhu Yuan told her brother that Zhao Yunzhong had been killed by Liu Wudi, news he had missed while in Hong Kong.
• The young man noticed Lian Youming as he passed and turned to confront him with a hostile gaze.
• Lian Youming looked back with a terrifyingly fierce presence, causing the young man to lose his nerve and drop his coin.
• Zhu Yuan hurried over, accused her brother of trying to attack her student, and Lian Youming continued on without further confrontation.

Lian Youming followed Zhu Yuan’s kidnappers to White Cloud Mountain and discovered the Zhang Family had abducted her to draw out her younger brother, Zhu Wu. After revealing himself as the Taiji Demon, he asked the old man whether he could kill them all.

• During military training, Lian Youming practiced his martial arts and sensed that the fifth barrier of Golden Bell Cover was beginning to loosen.
• On Mid-Autumn Festival, Lian Youming spotted Zhu Yuan motionless in a red car and followed her kidnappers by bicycle toward White Cloud Mountain.
• Lian Youming found the car and let one of the kidnappers lead him to Zhu Yuan at a disorderly burial ground.
• Zhu Yuan warned Lian Youming to run, while Old Master Zhang explained that they had taken her to force Zhu Wu to return something stolen from the Walled City.
• Old Master Zhang recognized something about Lian Youming, who identified himself as the Taiji Demon and asked whether he could kill the three men.

Lian Youming and Zhu Yuan fought men tied to the abductions and the Walled City, and Lian Youming learned that the Zhang family was involved in the criminal business. After they buried the dead, Zhu Yuan invited him to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with her, but he suddenly remembered something and hurried back toward school.

• Zhu Yuan joined Lian Youming against the old man in the Tang suit and two other attackers, then pursued the young man who had led them there.
• Zhu Yuan used her Flying Meteor Hammer against her opponent while Lian Youming fought the old man and the middle-aged man with the iron crutch and Monkey Fist.
• Lian Youming killed both men, learned from the dying old man that Zhang Asi was involved in the wider business, and ran to find Zhu Yuan.
• Zhu Yuan defeated her opponent, while the tall man from her school escaped into the hills; she told Lian Youming that the man had helped her and gone to the Walled City.
• Lian Youming and Zhu Yuan buried the three bodies and agreed to sell the car, then Zhu Yuan offered to support Lian Youming when he challenged the Taiji Gate.
• Lian Youming suddenly remembered something, picked up his bicycle, and hurried down the mountain, telling Zhu Yuan they would talk at school the next day.