Chapter Summaries

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.

Lian Youming fought Miss Hua and Zhao Laojiu in their room, overwhelming both with Xingyi techniques and his Toad-Fishing Skill. Zhao Laojiu died from their final exchange, while Miss Hua was left defeated and faced Lian Youming’s questions.

• Lian Youming entered the room and attacked Miss Hua and Zhao Laojiu, accusing them of associating with Gan Xuantong.
• Lian Youming used Crossing Fist and other techniques to withstand their coordinated attacks and knock them both off balance.
• Miss Hua and Zhao Laojiu threw Lian Youming to the floor and attacked him together, but his Toad-Fishing Skill disrupted their strength and let him counter.
• Lian Youming struck Miss Hua with a numbing blow and fought Zhao Laojiu through several exchanges, twisting and damaging his arm.
• Lian Youming’s hammer technique broke Zhao Laojiu’s left arm and killed him, after which he turned to the shaken Miss Hua and asked who she was.

Lian Youming escaped the Walled City after killing Zhao Laojiu and met Boss Chen, who identified his progress in martial arts and offered to teach him Bagua Palm. The chapter leaves him stunned by her offer.

• Lian Youming killed Zhao Laojiu, escaped the collapsing building, and glimpsed a mysterious old man in Manchu clothing before reaching the southern district.
• A Xing told Lian Youming that Boss Chen had arranged help for him, though Gan Xuantong escaped and the Green Gang's fighters suffered casualties.
• A Xing led Lian Youming to Boss Chen, who introduced herself as Chen Xiaochan and said Yang Shuang was recovering at the Baji Sect.
• Boss Chen watched Lian Youming perform Taiji Fist and advised him that his lower-body training remained stiff and incomplete.
• Boss Chen offered to teach Lian Youming Bagua Palm, leaving him astonished.

Boss Chen explained that Yang Shuang planned to challenge Gu Chan and advised Lian Youming on his martial path, while preparing to face the old ghost hiding in the Walled City. The old ghost ordered Gan Xuantong to help him restore his vital essence and set the decisive battle for ten days later.

• Boss Chen offered to teach Lian Youming Bagua Palm, told him Yang Shuang intended to challenge Gu Chan, and said she would support Yang Shuang’s choice.
• Lian Youming told Boss Chen about the old ghost, the token, and the account book, and Boss Chen explained that the ghost was a remnant of a bygone age whom she intended to fight.
• Boss Chen advised Lian Youming to be patient, declined to explain the realm above Foresight, and told him to leave the Walled City and visit her clinic the next day.
• Gan Xuantong brooded over Zhao Laojiu’s corpse and cursed Liu Wudi before the old ghost appeared and challenged him to prove himself in the coming battle.
• The old ghost suspected the mysterious sword master might be the Daoist Sect Elixir Sword, ordered Gan Xuantong to bring him food and medicinal supplies, and set the decisive battle for ten days later.

Lian Youming visited Shen San’s clinic in Hong Kong, where a prank over a swimsuit magazine led to a warm introduction and a conversation about Shen San’s longing to return to his homeland. After Shen San went out to deal with an old friend, Lian Youming found a photograph of Yuan Shun Escort Agency and began studying the strange handwritten pages in the sitting room.

• Lian Youming reflected on his resolve to pursue the Martial Way as he walked through Hong Kong with A Xing.
• A Xing introduced Lian Youming to Yang Shuang and Shen San at the clinic, and Lian Youming teased Shen San by taking his swimsuit magazine.
• Shen San told Lian Youming that he hoped to return to his homeland openly after the British flag came down, and he spoke of the brothers commemorated by memorial tablets.
• An old man accused Shen San of stealing his magazines and rushed in to confront him, so Shen San left the sitting room to deal with him.
• Lian Youming offered incense to the memorial tablets, noticed a photograph of Yuan Shun Escort Agency, and began deciphering the strange handwritten pages.

Lian Youming studied the manuscripts linked to Wang Wu the Great Saber and practiced for hours, nearly losing control of his vital essence before calming himself with moonlight breathing. He gained a deeper understanding of his body and martial arts, reassured Yang Shuang, and found the final page's words: “The righteous path!”

• Lian Youming practiced through the night after studying the manuscripts, while Yang Shuang and A Xing watched anxiously.
• Lian Youming shifted from boxing to sword-finger movements as he drew inspiration from the spirit he sensed in the manuscripts.
• Lian Youming's vital essence began escaping, so he climbed onto the roof and used moonlight breathing to steady himself.
• Yang Shuang scolded Lian Youming after he returned, and he joked before explaining how close the manuscripts had brought him to Great Completion of Hua Jin.
• Lian Youming promised to support Yang Shuang and spoke of his determination to pursue the Martial Way despite its dangers.
• Lian Youming noticed the final page of the manuscripts bore the words “The righteous path!”