Recaps

On Mid-Autumn Festival, Lian Youming found a Walled City token and ledger hidden in his bag, then shared a moonlit dinner with Yan Lingyun. After she admitted she had added medicinal herbs to the food and liquor, the two grew intimate, and Yan Lingyun turned up the television.

• Lian Youming returned to the apartment and found mooncakes and soda Brother Sun had brought.
• Lian Youming discovered a golden Sticky Pole Office token marked “Chief Commander” and a strange ledger in his bag, and suspected Zhu Wu had stolen them from the Walled City.
• Yan Lingyun arranged a moonlit dinner for herself and Lian Youming and poured them liquor brought by Brother Sun.
• Lian Youming felt heat after eating and drinking, and noticed Yan Lingyun was also flushed and feverish.
• Yan Lingyun pressed Lian Youming’s hand to her chest and admitted she had added medicinal herbs to the food and liquor.
• Lian Youming stopped resisting as Yan Lingyun turned on the television and raised its volume.

After military training, Lian Youming learned that Zhu Wu was still missing and that dangerous fighters were searching for him, while Baji Sect members had arrived in Foshan ahead of a major martial arts confrontation. The chapter ended with Lian Youming encountering Wu Jiu and his master, Liu Wudi, outside his apartment building.

• Lian Youming woke after spending the night with Yan Lingyun and noticed that his spleen meridian felt clearer; Yan Weidong and his wife discovered the medicinal feast and liquor left behind.
• At school, Lian Youming spoke with Zhu Yuan about her missing brother, Zhu Wu, and suspected Zhu Wu had entrusted him the token and ledger for a purpose.
• Zhu Yuan reported that two of her martial uncles had been injured fighting a vicious expert on White Cloud Mountain, and that Baji Sect fighters led by someone surnamed Wu had arrived in Foshan.
• Lian Youming completed military training without seeing Zhu Wu, whose survival remained unknown.
• After the school’s three-day National Day break began, Lian Youming saw Wu Jiu and Liu Wudi waiting by the entrance to his alley.

Lian Youming reunited with Wu Jiu and Liu Wudi, learned that Gan Xuantong and the White Lotus Sect Master were in Hong Kong, and prepared to face the Taiji Gate. After sharing a meal and discussing Liu Wudi’s new marriage, Lian Youming told Yan Lingyun he would be away for several days and left the next morning.

• Wu Jiu and Liu Wudi visited Lian Youming and warned him that Gan Xuantong and the White Lotus Sect Master had come south.
• Lian Youming recognized that Wu Jiu had damaged his liver and lungs by practicing the Dragon Roaring Iron Shirt and offered to help with its medicinal prescriptions.
• Lian Youming, Wu Jiu, Liu Wudi, and Yan Lingyun ate together and heard how Liu Wudi had met and married a younger woman.
• Lian Youming told Yan Lingyun he had to leave for two or three days, and she said she understood his involvement in the Martial Way and had prepared medicinal pills for him.
• Lian Youming left early the next morning, his bearing changing as he set out to face the Taiji Gate.

Lian Youming visited Yang Lian’s barbershop before his challenge fight, where she groomed him and revealed that she and other Green Gang veterans hoped he would avenge Boss Du. After noticing a mysterious old photograph, he left with Yang Shuang, Wu Jiu, and Liu Wudi to greet the Taiji Gate.

• Lian Youming arrived at Yang Lian’s barbershop in Foshan and discussed Zhu Wu, the woman surnamed Chen, and the Walled City with her.
• Yang Lian told Lian Youming that few expected him to survive the next day’s fight, but he remained confident.
• Yang Lian explained that she and other people who owed Boss Du a debt hoped Lian Youming would avenge him and lead them if he proved worthy.
• Yang Lian shaved and styled Lian Youming’s hair, and he studied a burned photograph of figures that included someone resembling Divine Spear Li Shuwen.
• Yang Shuang, Wu Jiu, and Liu Wudi arrived and told Lian Youming that the Taiji Gate had set up the platform; he then headed there to greet them.

Lian Youming visited the Taiji Gate with Wu Jiu and the Baji Sect before his scheduled fight with Peng Bubai, facing threats and attempts to intimidate him. He accepted the life-and-death duel and demanded that the Taiji Gate break its signboard if Peng Bubai lost; the battle was set for after dark.

• Lian Youming arrived at the Taiji Gate and learned that its towering life-and-death platform would host the fight at night.
• Taiji Gate disciples insulted Lian Youming and tried to attack him, but his fierce presence made them retreat.
• Wu Jiu challenged Senior Uncle Liu over the Taiji Gate's treatment of Lian Youming, while Liu Wudi bluffed the Grand Boxer with his imposing martial bearing.
• Peng Bubai demanded Sun Qiusheng's corpse and threatened the Baji Sect, but Wu Jiu backed Lian Youming's decision to fight without holding back.
• Lian Youming demanded that the Taiji Gate break its signboard if Peng Bubai lost, and Peng Bubai agreed to fight after dark.

Lian Youming and his allies prepared for the night platform fight as Chen Family Fist experts arrived with apparent intent to kill him. After signing the Life-and-Death Agreement and collecting the promised thirty thousand yuan, Lian Youming reached the platform alongside Peng Bubai and discovered that its black surface made Peng Bubai difficult to see.

• Wu Jiu and the Hung Fist group noticed two hostile Grand Boxers near the Taiji Gate, and the woman in black identified them as Chen Family Fist practitioners.
• The woman in black explained that the Chen Family Fist fighters were outsiders, while Lian Youming sensed their killing intent and suspected they had come for him.
• Wu Jiu agreed to handle one Grand Boxer, and Lian Youming chose to wait until after the platform fight before making plans for the others.
• At midnight, Lian Youming signed the Life-and-Death Agreement, took Peng Bubai's thirty thousand yuan for Yang Shuang, and watched Peng Bubai climb the rope toward the platform.
• Lian Youming and Peng Bubai reached the platform together, where Lian Youming realized its black surface blended with Peng Bubai's black clothes.

Lian Youming faced Peng Bubai, whose assassin’s footwork and concealed attacks pushed him onto the defensive during their fight on the platform. After Lian Youming struck back and broke through the platform, Peng Bubai used discarded garments to hide his movements and launched a sword attack from behind.

• Lian Youming invited Peng Bubai to use every means to kill him, while the spectators reacted to his confidence and the Taiji Gate’s hostility toward him.
• Peng Bubai vanished from Lian Youming’s sight and attacked from changing directions, tearing his shirt and forcing him to keep parrying.
• Lian Youming used his Toad Croak and eight heavy steps to shake the platform, and Peng Bubai disappeared beneath it.
• Peng Bubai thrust a short sword through the planks toward Lian Youming’s foot, but Lian Youming waited above and smashed the platform’s edge as Peng Bubai tried to climb up.
• Lian Youming and Peng Bubai exchanged sword and hand strikes until the planks gave way beneath Peng Bubai.
• Peng Bubai shed layers of black clothing to confuse Lian Youming, then thrust his sword from behind a garment as the clothes fell to the ground.

Lian Youming fought Peng Bubai through a collapsing arena, surviving his deadly Whip Technique with a blood-powered strike and killing him. He returned to the arena standing alone beneath the moon.

• Lian Youming used a black garment to distract Peng Bubai, then withstood his short sword with his hardened muscles and struck him with the Taiji Hammer.
• Peng Bubai redirected the punch's force, revealed that the Taiji Gate sought resources for Fist Challenges the World, and explained that Lian Youming and a girl resembled Xue Hen.
• Peng Bubai broke through the arena floor and struck Lian Youming with his Spirit-Beating Whip, then pinned him beneath his palms as they fell through the structure.
• Lian Youming shot a stream of blood into Peng Bubai's Celestial Chimney Acupoint, interrupting his internal breath, then escaped his palms and kicked him to death.
• Lian Youming used the force of the kick to leap back onto the tottering arena and stood alone beneath the moon.

After defeating Peng Bubai, Lian Youming learned that Taiji Gate intended to kill him before dawn and decided to strike first. He and his companions met the four Grand Boxers in the street, where Yang Lian and the others drew off two opponents while Lian Youming prepared to face Liu Ruotong.

• Lian Youming defeated Peng Bubai, and Liu Ruotong crushed Taiji Gate's signboard to honor the wager.
• Liu Ruotong ordered his disciples to return North and resolved to attack the wounded Lian Youming before dawn, while warning them not to act rashly if he failed to return.
• Lian Youming told Wu Jiu and the others that he had spotted a fourth Grand Boxer and proposed taking the initiative against Taiji Gate.
• As the four Grand Boxers approached, Wu Jiu and the black-clad woman pursued two of them, while Yang Lian lured Soul-Chasing Hand Yuan Tong away.
• Lian Youming introduced himself to Liu Ruotong with the word "Tong" and challenged him to a fight.

Lian Youming and Liu Ruotong fought a brutal battle beneath the moon, each using powerful boxing techniques and trying to cripple the other. After Liu Ruotong threw him into the air, Lian Youming broke free and revealed his Dragon Roaring Iron Shirt, leaving Liu Ruotong wary.

• Lian Youming led Liu Ruotong out of the city, while Yang Shuang followed to support him.
• Lian Youming and Liu Ruotong collided in the clearing, and Liu Ruotong tested Lian Youming’s strength before launching his attacks.
• Lian Youming and Liu Ruotong exchanged punches, stomps, and whip-like strikes, with Liu Ruotong’s strength bruising and bleeding Lian Youming’s arm.
• Liu Ruotong caught Lian Youming’s wrist and flung him into the air, but Lian Youming expanded his body, broke free, and kicked Liu Ruotong.
• Liu Ruotong recognized Dragon Roaring Iron Shirt as Lian Youming tore off his ruined shirt and stood ready to continue fighting.

Lian Youming and Liu Ruotong fought a desperate battle in the torrential rain, each risking death to defeat the other. Lian Youming broke Liu Ruotong’s ribs with a tiger’s roar and a heavy strike, but Liu Ruotong countered by targeting his heart and eyes.

• Liu Ruotong abandoned his restraint and attacked Lian Youming with a life-risking technique that drove his strength and body heat to their limits.
• Lian Youming met Liu Ruotong’s whipping fists with his own hammering strikes as they fought fiercely through the rain.
• Liu Ruotong battered Lian Youming’s arms and knocked him into the mud, leaving him bloody and close to collapse.
• Liu Ruotong seized Lian Youming’s shoulders and tried to dislocate his arms, but Lian Youming summoned his remaining strength and unleashed a thunderous tiger’s roar.
• Lian Youming struck Liu Ruotong in the chest and abdomen, breaking his ribs, but Liu Ruotong jabbed toward Lian Youming’s heart and reached for his eyes.

Lian Youming killed Liu Ruotong after a brutal fight, then reunited with Yang Shuang, Yang Lian, and Wu Jiu as the surviving fighters returned. The woman in black revealed that her opponent had fled by ship with Gan Xuantong waiting aboard.

• Lian Youming defeated Liu Ruotong in a vicious fight, and Liu Ruotong died after praising his victory.
• Yang Shuang gave Lian Youming medicinal pills, then went to help the others while he rested and treated his injuries.
• Yang Lian met Lian Youming, praised his victory, and said she had warned the Taiji Gate against further attacks.
• Wu Jiu returned battered but alive, and Yang Shuang arrived with the unharmed woman in black.
• The woman in black said her opponent had fled to the harbor and boarded a ship, where she saw Gan Xuantong waiting.

Lian Youming recovered from his injuries while considering the mysteries surrounding Gan Xuantong and the Walled City. After learning that a stone coffin had been photographed there, he heard that the Taiji Gate’s young leader, Gu Chan, was a formidable martial artist and looked forward to facing her.

• Liu Wudi massaged Lian Youming’s injured body as he ate meat and wondered whether the Taiji Gate was allied with Gan Xuantong.
• Yang Shuang returned with Wu Jiu and the others and reported that Gan Xuantong had critically injured Zhu Wu, who carried photographs showing a stone coffin inside the Walled City.
• Lian Youming worried that the coffin might conceal another dangerous person, while Wu Jiu urged him to focus on recovering and studying.
• Wu Jiu explained that the Taiji Gate’s young leader had mastered Taiji Listening Jin, which let her sense an opponent’s movements through qi dynamics.
• Wu Jiu named the young leader Gu Chan, and Lian Youming said he looked forward to facing her and Xue Hen.

Lian Youming returned from Foshan with a sword forged from Wang Wu’s famed saber and news arrangements to help him watch the Taiji Gate. Back in Guangzhou, a letter from Qin Yuhu revealed that a mysterious old man had vanished from a coffin after eighteen grave robbers died overnight.

• Wu Jiu told Lian Youming he planned to open a martial arts school in Guangzhou, and Lian agreed to join him as an instructor while Yang Shuang asked to join too.
• Lian Youming gave Wu Jiu two Iron Shirt prescriptions and visited Yang Lian, who provided him with a Green Gang contact in Guangzhou and promised to send martial-world news.
• Yang Lian gave Lian Youming a sword called Gall-Illuminating, reforged from Wang Wu’s great saber, and advised him to familiarize himself with it through his boxing practice.
• Lian Youming returned to Guangzhou, where Yan Lingyun served congee and told him that Qin Yuhu had sent a letter and packages.
• Lian Youming read that grave robbers had removed gold needles from an old man in a coffin, after which eighteen gang members died without injuries and the old man disappeared.

Lian Youming began university while advancing his martial arts, then attended the opening of Wu Jiu’s Baji Boxing School, where he learned that Hongmen members were seeking Yang Shuang and revenge for Zhao Yunzhong. He agreed to accompany Yang Shuang to meet them and arranged Green Gang support, while hearing that the Young Sect Leader of Taiji Gate had fought Gong Wuer on Mount Lu.

• Lian Youming started university, trained while attending classes, and broke through to the fifth layer of Golden Bell Cover with Yan Lingyun’s help.
• Lian Youming attended the opening of Wu Jiu’s Baji Boxing School, where three boys became Wu Jiu’s disciples.
• Yang Shuang told Lian Youming that overseas Hongmen members wanted Grandmaster’s inheritance and that others had come to Guangzhou to avenge Zhao Yunzhong.
• Lian Youming agreed to go with Yang Shuang to meet the Hongmen members in two days and consider sounding out the situation in Hong Kong.
• Lian Youming asked a Green Gang branch to send men along the river with body bags on the evening of the meeting.
• A Green Gang disciple told Lian Youming that the Young Sect Leader of Taiji Gate had visited Mount Lu and fought Gong Wuer, who was cultivating there.

Lian Youming continued refining his swordsmanship and learned that Yan Lingyun was pregnant. On the third night, he accompanied Yang Shuang and A Xing to a meeting on a fishing boat, where they encountered Gan Xuantong and several formidable figures.

• Lian Youming practiced circling sword techniques and advanced his Golden Bell Cover training, opening five of its Twelve Gates.
• Yan Lingyun's family confirmed she was pregnant, and Lian Youming made sour and spicy dishes to satisfy her cravings.
• On the third night, Lian Youming left home with his sword and met Yang Shuang and A Xing by the Pearl River.
• The three traveled by boat to a fishing vessel where a monk, an elderly man, and a red-haired woman awaited them.
• Gan Xuantong approached Yang Shuang, who recognized him and showed murderous intent.

Yang Shuang faced a Hongmen gathering that included Gan Xuantong, who demanded the token she held in exchange for a key to a bank vault abroad. When armed men rushed the boat, Lian Youming stepped forward and killed the first attacker with a single sword strike.

• Gan Xuantong joined Zhao Laojiu, Ghost Monk, Miss Hua, and Red Hair at the meeting with Yang Shuang and Lian Youming.
• Zhao Laojiu demanded that Yang Shuang return the token, and she revealed that it could be exchanged for a key to a foreign bank vault.
• Footsteps and armed men approached the boat, so A Xing revealed explosives strapped to herself to deter the Hongmen group.
• Lian Youming left Yang Shuang's side to meet the approaching men, and Red Hair ordered them to kill him.
• Lian Youming drew his sword and split the first attacker in two with a single downward slash.

Lian Youming fought Red Hair and protected Yang Shuang from Gan Xuantong’s surprise attack as they escaped the fishing boat. After reuniting with Yang Lian and Master Zhou, they learned that conflict in Hong Kong’s Walled City was becoming inevitable, and Yang Shuang decided to go there soon.

• Lian Youming cut down the attackers aboard the fishing boat, then fought Red Hair until she withdrew.
• Yang Shuang challenged Gan Xuantong’s authority by revealing his injuries, and Zhao Laojiu and Miss Hua chose to wait rather than fight.
• Gan Xuantong attacked Yang Shuang as she prepared to leave, but Lian Youming intercepted his palm strike and helped her escape on the approaching boat.
• Yang Shuang threw A Xing’s fake bomb onto the fishing boat, and Gan Xuantong warned that they would meet again in the Walled City.
• Yang Lian and Master Zhou explained that the Walled City’s bosses would likely emerge and that a bloody conflict might be unavoidable.
• Yang Shuang decided to go to Hong Kong in a few days, and Lian Youming told her to be careful.

Lian Youming met Zhu Wu again, learned about the Walled City’s crimes and a strange coffin, and heard that Xue Hen had arrived in Hong Kong. Zhu Wu asked to become his disciple, while Lian Youming considered traveling to Hong Kong himself.

• Yang Shuang left for Hong Kong with A Xing, Master Zhou, and other martial artists as forces gathered in the south.
• Lian Youming sensed someone following him and led the pursuer to a private room at the Green Gang Branch.
• Zhu Wu revealed that he had taken a token and ledger from the Walled City, where five bosses were committing crimes and colluding with the Japanese.
• Zhu Wu described seeing a coffin beneath the Walled City with a long lock of hair protruding from it, then asked Lian Youming to take him as a disciple.
• Zhu Wu told Lian Youming that Xue Hen was in Hong Kong and had beaten three Grand Boxers to death.
• Lian Youming told Zhu Wu to recover before joining him and began considering a trip to Hong Kong.

Lian Youming strengthened his resolve to go to Hong Kong with Yan Lingyun’s encouragement, then learned that Yang Shuang and Master Zhou had been gravely injured in the chaos there. He prepared to leave and received a cryptic message from Yang Lian: “Disguise. Body double.”

• Lian Youming and Yan Lingyun discussed their pregnancy, upcoming wedding, and his hesitation about going to Hong Kong, and Yan Lingyun urged him to act with resolve.
• Yan Lingyun’s family visited, and she departed for Wuzhou to prepare for the wedding.
• Lian Youming stayed behind and spent his days studying and nights training at the martyrs' cemetery to strengthen his resolve.
• News arrived that Yang Shuang had been severely wounded and Master Zhou had lost an arm amid violent chaos involving Zhao Laojiu’s Hongmen group.
• Lian Youming ordered Zhang Asi to prepare a boat and arrange for Green Gang disciples to meet him in Hong Kong, then read Yang Lian’s message telling him to use a disguise and body double.

Lian Youming visited Yang Lian in Foshan to have a human-skin mask made before traveling to Hong Kong, while learning that Yang Shuang's token was linked to a White Lotus Sect treasure hoard. After he left, Yang Lian saw the mysterious person who had served as his stand-in and learned they were willing to risk their life for him.

• Lian Youming arrived at Yang Lian's barbershop, and she noted that he had gained greater control over his presence.
• Yang Lian explained how the disguise would be made, covered Lian Youming's face with pigskin glue, and had an unknown person apply the mask.
• Yang Lian told Lian Youming that Yang Shuang was injured and described rumors about a treasure hoard connected to the White Lotus Sect.
• Yang Lian removed the finished mask, and Lian Youming asked her to secretly watch over his pregnant wife in Wuzhou before leaving for Hong Kong.
• A masked, hooded figure emerged from the rear courtyard, and Yang Lian recognized them as Lian Youming's mysterious stand-in, who had volunteered to die in his place.

Lian Youming arrived in Hong Kong and entered the Walled City with Yang Qing, where he was drawn into a Green Gang dispute. He challenged Song Wan to settle their conflict with a contest of punches, leaving the fight about to begin.

• Lian Youming crossed into Hong Kong with Zhu Wu and met Yang Qing, who explained that the Walled City was chaotic and armed him with two revolvers.
• Yang Qing brought Lian Youming into the Walled City and told him that Song Wan was trying to turn the Green Gang against Boss Chen by partnering with Gan Xuantong.
• Lian Youming recognized a woman behind Song Wan as one of the Taiji Gate Grand Boxers he had seen in Foshan, then introduced himself to Song Wan as Liu Wudi.
• Song Wan proposed a Martial Brawl, but Lian Youming instead challenged him to take turns punching until one of them fell.
• Lian Youming opened his stance and invited Song Wan to strike first.

Lian Youming defeated Green Gang elder Song Wan and exposed Kawashima Mai, a Japanese fighter disguised as a Green Gang disciple. After Kawashima escaped with Song Wan’s corpse, Lian Youming planned to confront Gan Xuantong and Hongmen and asked Yang Qing to prepare heavy meteor hammers.

• Song Wan attacked Lian Youming, but Lian Youming endured his blows and killed him with a strike to the Shanzhong Acupoint.
• Lian Youming recognized a disguised Taiji Gate fighter, and Kawashima Mai seized a young girl to threaten the Green Gang.
• Kawashima revealed her identity, released the girl, took Song Wan’s corpse, and escaped after inviting Lian Youming to work with her.
• Yang Qing introduced Lian Youming to five Green Gang elders and took him upstairs to survey the Walled City.
• Lian Youming said he intended to deal with Gan Xuantong and Hongmen, then asked Yang Qing to prepare two forty-jin meteor hammers.

Lian Youming learned that the people in the coffins had feigned death to survive past calamities, then disguised himself and set out to strike at the northern district. Yang Qing stayed behind and provoked Gan Xuantong, who lost his composure when the insults targeted his ruined crotch.

• Yang Qing explained that the coffin-dwellers were martial artists who had sealed themselves in feigned death, and that Boss Chen had protected the Walled City through years of turmoil.
• Lian Youming decided to attack the northern district's criminal businesses and take revenge for his injured little sister, then swapped clothes with Zhu Wu and disguised his appearance.
• Lian Youming suggested a scheme to provoke Gan Xuantong while creating an opening for an attack, and Yang Qing agreed to carry it out.
• Yang Qing used a microphone to insult Gan Xuantong from the rooftop, prompting other groups to join in.
• Gan Xuantong met with Zhao Laojiu, Ghost Monk, Miss Hua, and other allies as they discussed dividing overseas treasure, then crushed his wineglass and erupted in anger at the taunts.

Lian Youming infiltrated the north district and fought his way deeper into the Walled City amid a sudden attack from the south. He found Hongmen elder Zhao Laojiu and Miss Hua, and confronted them while seeking two Hongmen targets.

• Lian Youming surveyed the Walled City and waited for Gan Xuantong and his companions to leave the north district.
• After detecting the group and the scent of red wine, Lian Youming slipped into the north district and navigated its brothels and gambling dens.
• The north district lost power as people charged in from the south, and Lian Youming used the chaos to move deeper inside.
• Lian Youming found a passage hung with dried corpses, then killed the men who confronted him and fought his way upstairs.
• Miss Hua and Zhao Laojiu discussed the chief and warned each other to be cautious as Lian Youming arrived at their door.
• Lian Youming revealed himself to Miss Hua and Zhao Laojiu and declared that he still needed two Hongmen bastards.