Chapter Summaries

Lian Youming killed Zhao Yunzhong in a brutal fight, then watched Gan Xuantong and the White Lotus Sect Master prepare to battle. As dawn broke, the two finally began their confrontation while Lian Youming recovered nearby.

• Zhao Yunzhong struck Lian Youming from behind, but Lian Youming answered with a Toad Croak that injured both fighters and shattered Zhao Yunzhong’s fingers.
• Lian Youming seized Zhao Yunzhong, endured his desperate counterattacks, and used a Witnessing Art feint to create an opening.
• Lian Youming struck Zhao Yunzhong’s throat, and Zhao Yunzhong collapsed and died after acknowledging his opponent with the word “Good.”
• Lian Youming carried Zhao Yunzhong’s corpse to Gan Xuantong and the White Lotus Sect Master, then sat down to recover while Gan Xuantong invited him to join their group.
• Gan Xuantong and the White Lotus Sect Master resumed their standoff, and, as dawn broke, the White Lotus Sect Master advanced while Gan Xuantong formed a Bagua Palm.

The White Lotus Sect Master fought Gan Xuantong, whose Toad-Fishing Skill and Five Phoenixes Cry in Unison overwhelmed her despite her fierce resistance. Lian Youming was thrown aside after trying to intervene, but he rose and struck Gan Xuantong in the back with his Tai Chi Hammer, leaving the result uncertain.

• The White Lotus Sect Master attacked Gan Xuantong with Five Thunder Palm, and their battle shifted as Gan Xuantong used the Toad-Fishing Skill to repel her attacks.
• Gan Xuantong and the White Lotus Sect Master exchanged forceful palm strikes, and she began bleeding as she targeted the weakness in his lower body.
• The White Lotus Sect Master seized Gan Xuantong's wrist, but he trapped her in return and struck her with Five Phoenixes Cry in Unison, making her kneel and spit blood.
• Lian Youming rushed in and punched Gan Xuantong behind the heart, but Gan Xuantong's Toad-Fishing Skill sent him crashing face-down into the dirt.
• Lian Youming forced himself upright and struck Gan Xuantong in the back behind the heart with his Tai Chi Hammer.

Lian Youming and the White Lotus Sect Master fought Gan Xuantong together, breaking his elixir skill and leaving him badly injured before he fled. Afterward, Lian Youming realized the Sect Master had been holding back, while her exchange with the Vice Sect Leader revealed that she shared one body with a second self called the Holy Maiden.

• Lian Youming struck Gan Xuantong, and the White Lotus Sect Master broke Gan Xuantong's elixir skill while the three fought at close range.
• Lian Youming used the Witnessing Art to distract Gan Xuantong, and the White Lotus Sect Master kicked him before Lian Youming landed another blow.
• Gan Xuantong swallowed a pill, saw the White Lotus Sect Master's unstable condition, and fled, leaving Lian Youming too injured to pursue him.
• The White Lotus Sect Master told Lian Youming that Gan Xuantong was maimed and his elixir skill broken, then left with Zhao Yunzhong's corpse.
• Lian Youming recovered, reflected on the gap between his strength and theirs, and suspected the White Lotus Sect Master had concealed her true ability.
• The White Lotus Sect Master alternated between gentle and cold voices, greeted the Vice Sect Leader as both Sect Master and Holy Maiden, and told Zhu You to sleep.

After surviving his battle with Gan Xuantong, Lian Youming learned more about the White Lotus Sect Master’s power and the histories behind Gan Xuantong’s martial arts. Back in the city, he let Xu Tian treat his injuries while his Uncle Tian repeated a rumor that mistakenly identified Lian Youming as Liu Wudi.

• Lian Youming recovered from the fight by washing in the lake, then told Xu Tian and Li Shan that he and the White Lotus Sect Master had fought Gan Xuantong together.
• Xu Tian and Li Shan explained that the White Lotus Sect Master’s strength came from White Bone Contemplation and that experts beyond Foresight pursued different paths to grow stronger.
• Lian Youming decided to stop searching for the Mountain-Guarding Old Man and let him choose his own course; Xu Tian reported that the White Lotus Sect’s forces were retreating and pursuing the fleeing Japanese fighters.
• Xu Tian examined Lian Youming’s serious bruises and prepared medicine while Xie Ruomei treated him; Li Shan and Xu Tian explained Gan Xuantong’s family ties to Toad-Fishing Skill and the history of Bagua Palm.
• Lian Youming’s Uncle Tian arrived and praised the supposed Liu Wudi for killing Zhao Yunzhong and escaping the battle, leaving Lian Youming sweating inside the room.
• In Cangzhou, Liu Danaodai told Wu Jiu that he had suddenly started feeling chilly.

Lian Youming revealed his identity as the Taiji Demon to Tian Dayong, who accepted him and promised to keep the secret. After dinner, Lian Youming spoke with Xie Ruomei during a moonlit walk, where she confessed that she loved him.

• Lian Youming reminded Tian Dayong of their past meeting and revealed that he was the Taiji Demon.
• Tian Dayong accepted Lian Youming's explanation, thanked him for helping him become sect leader, and agreed to keep his identity secret.
• At dinner, Lian Youming said he wanted to stay a few more days before heading south, and Xu Tian recommended visiting Foshan and described an old woman who owned much of Hong Kong's old walled city.
• Lian Youming found Xie Ruomei practicing martial arts beside a river at night, and they went for a walk together.
• Xie Ruomei told Lian Youming that Liu Wudi had spoken to her about him and Miss Yan.
• Xie Ruomei confessed that she liked Lian Youming and would continue loving him even if they never met again.

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.