Recaps

After Jiang Fa killed Bald Liu, Master Hu learned Jiang Fa was a Middle An Jin disciple backed by the Zhao Clan Martial Hall and ordered the Black Tiger Gang not to retaliate for now. At the Blood Wolf Gang hall, Skinny Monkey reported that Lang San, the Third Master, was dead.

• Constable Fang dismissed the alley killings as a gang feud and led his runners away without investigating.
• Master Hu questioned the surviving Black Tiger Gang men and learned Jiang Fa had killed Bald Liu in a single exchange.
• The scar-faced man identified Jiang Fa as a former borrower who was now an Attendant of the Lin Lineage and a Middle An Jin disciple.
• Master Hu ordered the gang to handle Bald Liu's death benefits, reassign his men, and leave Jiang Fa alone because the Zhao Clan Martial Hall backed him.
• Ding Wanshan asked after Lang San, and Skinny Monkey arrived to announce that the Third Master was gone.

Ding Wanshan ordered Chai Wenyuan to investigate Lang San’s death while suspecting the Great Saber Gang, which had raided a Blood Wolf Gang warehouse. At the Zhao Clan Martial Hall, Jiang Fa received a courteous apology and invitation from the Black Tiger Gang.

• Ding Wanshan learned that Lang San had been found dead and ordered Chai Wenyuan to investigate new faces and developments in Qingshan County.
• Sun Ergou reported that the Great Saber Gang had attacked the southern warehouse, killed most of its defenders, and stolen a shipment.
• Chai Wenyuan suggested that the Great Saber Gang might have killed Lang San and raided the warehouse, and Ding Wanshan vowed to investigate and retaliate if the gang was responsible.
• Ding Wanshan said he would not move openly against Jiang Fa yet because the Zhao Clan Martial Hall stood behind him.
• Jiang Fa trained at the martial hall while Lin Feng delivered a letter and gift from the Black Tiger Gang, which apologized for the bald man’s conduct and invited Jiang Fa to visit its headquarters.

After receiving compensation from Master Hu, Jiang Fa told Lin Feng about the attempts on his life, and Lin Feng suspected the Blood Wolf Gang had been hired by someone targeting both Jiang Fa and the Lin Lineage. Lin Feng arranged protection for Jiang Fa’s family in Yellow Earth Town and promised to investigate the mastermind.

• Jiang Fa accepted Master Hu’s hundred taels and asked Lin Feng to investigate the people behind the assassination attempts.
• Jiang Fa described the attacks to Lin Feng, who identified the Blood Wolf Gang as a likely force involved.
• Lin Feng linked the attempts on Jiang Fa’s life to sabotage against the Lin Lineage and suspected a hidden enemy was targeting them both.
• Lin Feng warned Jiang Fa that his family in Yellow Earth Town might be vulnerable, and offered to send two trusted escorts to protect them secretly.
• Lin Feng promised to investigate the Blood Wolf Gang’s recent contracts and contacts, while Jiang Fa agreed to be more careful.

Jiang Fa reviewed his improved martial skills and resolved to grow strong enough to protect his family from the Blood Wolf Gang. Tang Jin'er continued enduring harsh training at the martial hall, determined to become worthy of Jiang Fa, and began another day before dawn.

• Jiang Fa saw Lin Feng leave, returned to his room, and meditated while reviewing his improved cultivation and Wind-Chasing Steps.
• Tang Jin'er tended her injured hands and recalled how Meng Chang had betrayed her and Jiang Fa had saved her.
• Tang Jin'er recognized that her gratitude toward Jiang Fa had become affection, though she understood that he remained focused on martial cultivation.
• Tang Jin'er woke before dawn in pain, reflected on how much she had endured and improved, and resolved to keep working hard.

Tang Jin'er unexpectedly broke through to Ming Jin during her morning stance training, and Zhao Zhong confirmed her exceptional bone structure and made her his second personal disciple. She was ordered to pack and move to the inner courtyard the next day, while rumors and envy spread through the martial hall.

• Tang Jin'er felt her blood and Qi surge during stance training and broke through to Ming Jin with a forceful punch.
• Wang Shi confirmed that Tang Jin'er had reached the initial stage of Ming Jin and went to alert the Teaching Hall.
• Zhao Zhong questioned Tang Jin'er, examined her pulse, and brought her to the Teaching Hall.
• Zhao Zhong tested Tang Jin'er's bones, declared her bone structure the highest grade, and appointed her his second personal disciple.
• Zhao Zhong told Tang Jin'er to move to the inner courtyard the next day, and gossip about her rapid advancement spread through the hall.

Tang Jin'er accompanied Jiang Fa to the dining hall and confessed that her relationship with Meng Chang had ended, worried Jiang Fa would judge her for their past. Jiang Fa reassured her but remained focused on cultivation and his own troubles, leaving Tang Jin'er hopeful as he departed.

• Jiang Fa noticed Tang Jin'er waiting by the training grounds, and she joined him on his walk to the dining hall.
• Tang Jin'er admired Jiang Fa and said she planned to come eat with him at the same time each day.
• At breakfast, Tang Jin'er explained that she and Meng Chang were finished and that nothing improper had happened between them.
• Tang Jin'er admitted she had feared Jiang Fa would misunderstand her, and Jiang Fa assured her that he had not judged her.
• Jiang Fa told Tang Jin'er to rest and stabilize her foundation before leaving the dining hall, while she watched him go.

Jiang Fa witnessed Lie Changkong visit the Zhao Clan Martial Hall to discuss the early Qingshan Martial Meet and its strongest contenders. Lie Changkong revealed that the champion would receive the mid black grade martial art Surging Billows and Layered Waves Slash.

• Jiang Fa noticed Lie Changkong arrive at the Zhao Clan Martial Hall with his nephew, Lie Jingyun.
• Zhao Zhong welcomed Lie Changkong, who explained that the Qingshan Martial Meet had been moved two months earlier.
• Lie Changkong described the leading contenders from the martial halls and the Wang, Liu, and Zhou families.
• Lie Changkong told Zhao Zhong that registration would begin on the first day of next month and the meet would start on the sixth day of the sixth month.
• Lie Changkong revealed that the champion would receive Surging Billows and Layered Waves Slash in addition to one thousand taels of silver.

Lie Changkong brought Lie Jingyun to the Zhao Clan Martial Hall to test Qin Xuan through a sparring match. Qin Xuan and Lie Jingyun traded blows before a crowd, and their contest was still underway.

• Lie Changkong told Zhao Zhong that the Qingshan Martial Meet prize included a Mid Black Grade martial art and proposed a spar between Lie Jingyun and Qin Xuan.
• Zhao Zhong summoned Qin Xuan and led Lie Changkong and the two youths to the training grounds.
• Jiang Fa and Tang Jin'er watched as the gathered disciples debated which fighter would win.
• Lie Jingyun opened with a forceful charge, but Qin Xuan dodged his punch and struck a palm that tore Lie Jingyun's clothing.
• Lie Jingyun unleashed a fierce barrage of punches, while Qin Xuan evaded and deflected his attacks with yielding palm techniques.

Qin Xuan turned the fight against Lie Jingyun by revealing his Late Dark Force cultivation and using Mountain-Breaking Fist with precise control. After Lie Jingyun unleashed his Wind-Rending Fist, Qin Xuan countered with a Major Accomplishment strike, leaving the outcome unresolved.

• Jiang Fa recognized that Qin Xuan was evading Lie Jingyun's forceful punches while waiting for an opening.
• Qin Xuan stopped retreating, blocked Lie Jingyun's punch with Mountain-Breaking Fist, and revealed his Late Dark Force cultivation.
• Qin Xuan exploited the hitch in Lie Jingyun's transitions and struck his shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground.
• Lie Jingyun rose with renewed fighting spirit and attacked with Wind-Rending Fist.
• Qin Xuan met Lie Jingyun's attack with a powerful punch, and Lie Changkong realized Qin Xuan had mastered Mountain-Breaking Fist to Major Accomplishment.

Qin Xuan defeated Lie Jingyun in the arena, earning acclaim and rewards as the Zhao Clan Martial Hall prepared for the Qingshan Martial Meet. Jiang Fa continued cultivating and grew closer to Tang Jin'er, then joined the other young inner courtyard disciples when Zhao Zhong summoned them to the Teaching Hall.

• Qin Xuan defeated Lie Jingyun with a powerful punch, and Lie Jingyun admitted defeat without resentment.
• Lie Changkong praised Qin Xuan to Zhao Zhong before departing with the Gale Martial Hall, and Zhao Zhong later sent Qin Xuan three bottles of fine pills.
• Tang Jin'er repeatedly sought out Jiang Fa, and Jiang Fa watched her practice alone before returning to his room to cultivate.
• Jiang Fa checked his cultivation progress and expected to reach late Dark Force within a few days.
• Zhao Zhong summoned the inner courtyard disciples under twenty to the Teaching Hall, where Wang Shi confirmed that all twenty-three were present.

Zhao Zhong announced the Qingshan Martial Meet and encouraged the disciples to participate, assigning Jiang Fa to attend so he could broaden his horizons. Jiang Fa agreed, while Tang Jin'er arranged to watch the meet and followed him to the east courtyard before turning back.

• Zhao Zhong announced the meet's rewards, registration date, and risks, and several disciples volunteered to compete.
• Zhao Zhong told Tang Jin'er to watch rather than compete, then ordered Jiang Fa to attend because he had reached an Jin.
• Zhao Zhong privately summoned Qin Xuan, while Xu Feng, Zhao Chuan, and Ma Ping discussed preparing for the meet with Jiang Fa.
• Tang Jin'er asked Jiang Fa if she could cheer him on, and he told her she could attend.
• Jiang Fa walked to the east courtyard with Tang Jin'er following, then pointed out that she had gone the wrong way and she turned back.

Jiang Fa and six other Zhao Clan Martial Hall disciples registered for the Qingshan Martial Meet, where they encountered competitors from rival martial halls. After seeing Jiang Fa on the roster, Ding Wanshan arranged to summon Lang Jiu and planned to kill Jiang Fa in the ring.

• Xu Feng broke through to An Jin and joined the Zhao Clan Martial Hall's six other An Jin competitors in registering for the tournament.
• Jiang Fa and his fellow disciples waited in a long queue, where Wang Shi identified Luo Zhen of the Iron Fist Martial Hall and Zhao Chuan pointed out Gu Qingyan of the Flying Swallow Martial Hall.
• Jiang Fa received bronze number token forty-seven, and the county office later posted the roster of competitors.
• Ding Wanshan saw Jiang Fa's name on the roster and told Chai Wenyuan to summon Lang Jiu back from Qingyang Prefecture.
• Ding Wanshan planned for Lang Jiu to kill Jiang Fa openly in the ring, where the martial meet's rules would make the death appear accidental.

Jiang Fa trained intensely for the approaching Qingshan Martial Meet, learned where he might find the final levels of the Great Strength Vajra Formula, and fended off two black-market robbers. On the Green Lantern Festival, Xu Feng and Zhao Chuan persuaded him to join them in the city, and Xu Feng invited Tang Jin'er as well.

• Jiang Fa bought cultivation pills and Meridian-Unblocking Powder at the black market, then later learned that a martial master surnamed He in Qingyang Prefecture might know the final levels of the Great Strength Vajra Formula.
• Jiang Fa concealed himself in an alley and crippled two peak Ming Jin robbers who tried to attack him.
• After more than two months of training, Jiang Fa reached late Dark Force, perfected Cloak Saber, and brought Mountain-Breaking Fist close to the transformation realm.
• Jiang Fa practiced Cloak Saber beneath the moon and sensed that his technique had edged closer to saber intent.
• On the Green Lantern Festival, Xu Feng and Zhao Chuan persuaded Jiang Fa to go see the lanterns, and Xu Feng invited Tang Jin'er along.

Jiang Fa and his companions visited the Green Lantern Festival, where Tang Jin'er tried to draw his attention and grew wary when they met Liu Ying. The group continued through the crowded streets together, leaving Jiang Fa caught between the two women’s interest in him.

• Tang Jin'er dressed carefully for the festival, but Jiang Fa barely reacted, so Xu Feng and Zhao Chuan teased him about her beauty.
• Tang Jin'er got distracted by the festival stalls and asked Jiang Fa to play with her, while Xu Feng joked about him to make her laugh.
• At a crowded performance, Jiang Fa steadied Tang Jin'er's lantern and accidentally brushed her hand.
• Liu Ying and Gu Qingyan of the Flying Swallow Martial Hall encountered Jiang Fa's group, and Liu Ying noticed Tang Jin'er holding his sleeve.
• Liu Ying invited the group to see the lantern riddles, but Tang Jin'er suggested archery instead; Jiang Fa pulled free of her sleeve and asked everyone to stay together as they continued browsing.

During the Green Lantern Festival, Jiang Fa protected Tang Jin'er from Zhou Man and his fellow disciples, but his attempt to avoid a fight drew scorn from Yan'er and Gu Qingyan. Sun Yi then arrived and offered to protect Tang Jin'er, leaving Jiang Fa facing another challenge.

• Jiang Fa and his companions walked through the crowded festival while Xu Feng and Zhao Chuan went to compete at a ring-toss stall.
• Zhou Man and the Boulder Martial Hall disciples trampled an old man's lanterns, and Jiang Fa caught a lantern Zhou Man had kicked toward Tang Jin'er.
• Zhou Man tried to take Tang Jin'er with him, but Jiang Fa blocked his way and urged him to avoid a public fight.
• Yan'er called Jiang Fa a coward, and Gu Qingyan's cold glance showed that she shared her contempt.
• Sun Yi pushed through the crowd, challenged Jiang Fa, and told Tang Jin'er that no one would bully her while he was there.

Jiang Fa appeared to yield to Zhou Man’s demands, drawing scorn from the crowd, but then revealed his speed and strength by disarming Zhou Man and striking him down. The crowd was left stunned as Zhou Man crashed into his fellow disciples.

• Sun Yi tried to defend Tang Jin'er from Zhou Man, but Zhou Man defeated him with one punch and demanded that he kneel and kowtow.
• Jiang Fa told Zhou Man to stop fighting, prompting the crowd and his companions to call him a coward.
• Qin Xuan and Song Wan watched from the edge of the crowd as Zhou Man mocked Jiang Fa and kicked at him.
• Jiang Fa dodged Zhou Man’s kick with his Wind-Chasing Steps and appeared in front of him.
• Zhou Man drew his saber and slashed at Jiang Fa, but Jiang Fa knocked the weapon away with his fist and struck Zhou Man into several Boulder Martial Hall disciples.

Jiang Fa defeated Zhou Man with one punch, revealing strength that shocked the martial meet spectators and changed Qin Xuan’s view of him. He left for the martial hall with Tang Jin'er and the others, while Tang Jin'er admired him more than ever.

• Jiang Fa sent Zhou Man flying with one punch, leaving the crowd and martial hall disciples stunned.
• Jiang Fa mocked the Boulder Martial Hall group, then left with Tang Jin'er, Xu Feng, and Zhao Chuan as the others dispersed.
• Gu Qingyan looked back at Jiang Fa with new curiosity, while Qin Xuan admitted he had misunderstood the strength of his fellow disciples.
• Qin Xuan reflected on his master's warning that there was always someone greater, and Song Wan agreed that Jiang Fa had hidden his abilities.
• Tang Jin'er asked Jiang Fa why he had waited to fight, and he joked that he had acted when the opponent was about to bite him.

The Qingshan Martial Meet drew martial artists, martial halls, and prominent families from across the county as Jiang Fa prepared to compete. Magistrate Meng Qiuran announced the rules and opened the first round, with opponents to be chosen by lot.

• Jiang Fa arrived at the eastern drill ground with the Zhao Clan Martial Hall disciples, and Zhao Zhong urged the competitors to fight hard but concede if necessary.
• The Gale, Boulder, Iron Fist, and Flying Swallow Martial Halls arrived, and Zhou Man glared resentfully at Jiang Fa while Liu Ying greeted him.
• The Wang, Liu, and Zhou Families arrived with their prominent young competitors, including Wang Yanzhi and Zhou Tai.
• Meng Qiuran announced that 108 contestants would compete under the meet's rules, with all eight arenas beginning at once and opponents decided by drawing lots.
• Meng Qiuran rang a bronze bell and officially began the Qingshan Martial Meet.

Jiang Fa faced Sun Xian of the Boulder Martial Hall in the competition and calmly evaded his powerful staff attacks. The chapter ended with Sun Xian growing frantic as Jiang Fa continued to toy with him, still composed and untouched.

• Jiang Fa drew platform three and was matched against Sun Xian, who intended to avenge Zhou Man.
• Sun Xian attacked Jiang Fa with his bronze staff, but Jiang Fa tilted aside and let the first blow smash into the platform.
• Jiang Fa evaded Sun Xian’s swift follow-up sweep by a hair’s breadth, impressing Zhao Zhong, Wang Shi, and Gu Qingyan.
• Sun Xian unleashed a relentless barrage of staff strikes, but Jiang Fa dodged every attack with precise, effortless footwork.
• The spectators’ contempt turned to astonishment as Jiang Fa continued to toy with Sun Xian without losing his composure.

Jiang Fa defeated Sun Xian with his superior movement and a single punch, winning his first match at the martial gathering. He returned to the Zhao Clan Martial Hall’s stands as the first-day elimination matches continued.

• Jiang Fa dodged Sun Xian’s Three Absolutes Staff until Sun Xian grew furious and exhausted.
• Jiang Fa warned Sun Xian before striking him in the abdomen, sending him crashing onto the platform’s edge and disarming him.
• The referee declared Jiang Fa the winner, drawing cheers from the crowd and praise from Tang Jin'er.
• Sun Yi watched Jiang Fa bitterly, while Qin Xuan, Song Wan, Lie Changkong, and Zhao Zhong took note of his skill.
• Jiang Fa explained to himself that he had used the fight to test his Wind-Chasing Steps and conceal his strength.
• Jiang Fa returned to the Zhao Clan Martial Hall’s stands, where Tang Jin'er offered him water and Xu Feng realized his own match was coming soon.

Jiang Fa advanced to the second round of the martial tournament and defeated Qian Liu, a rogue cultivator skilled with a nine-section whip. The chapter left Jiang Fa’s tournament run continuing after his victory on platform seven.

• Qin Xuan defeated an Iron Fist Martial Hall disciple in three breaths, while other prominent martial artists also won their first-round matches.
• Jiang Fa, Qin Xuan, Xu Feng, and Li Chen advanced from the Zhao Clan Martial Hall, with Xu Feng winning after risking his left arm.
• The next day, Jiang Fa drew Qian Liu, a middle An Jin rogue cultivator who wielded a nine-section whip.
• Jiang Fa evaded Qian Liu’s whip attacks with his Wind-Chasing Steps and identified an opening after the whip’s seventy-first move.
• Jiang Fa closed in during the opening and struck Qian Liu with An Jin, winning the match.

Lang Jiu, posing as the rogue cultivator Lu Jiu, judged Jiang Fa to be an unworthy target before entering the Qingshan Martial Meet. He defeated Qian Meng in a few brutal moves and left the ring without waiting for the result to be announced.

• Lang Jiu recalled that Ding Wanshan had sent him to kill Jiang Fa and dismissed Jiang Fa’s victories as flashy tricks.
• Lang Jiu watched Jiang Fa leave the ring with Zhao Clan Martial Hall disciples and prepared for his own match.
• At Ring Nine, Qian Meng mocked Lang Jiu, who stood motionless until the referee’s signal.
• Lang Jiu broke Qian Meng’s arm, struck his abdomen, and slammed him unconscious.
• The crowd erupted in shock as Lang Jiu walked away without waiting for the referee’s announcement.

Jiang Fa faced Han Chong in the third round of the martial gathering and continued dodging the Boulder Martial Hall disciple’s powerful axe attacks. As Han Chong’s relentless strikes narrowed the space around him, Gu Qingyan recognized that Jiang Fa was studying his opponent’s rhythm and waiting for an opening.

• Zhao Zhong warned Jiang Fa and Qin Xuan that the remaining contestants were strong, and told Qin Xuan not to hold back against another formidable opponent.
• Jiang Fa returned to the martial hall with Tang Jin'er, then cultivated through the night before the third round began the next day.
• Jiang Fa drew Han Chong, a late-dark-force fighter from the Boulder Martial Hall who wielded a mountain-cleaving axe.
• Han Chong opened with a full-strength overhead strike, but Jiang Fa dodged as the axe split the ring.
• Pei Yan'er and another Flying Swallow Martial Hall disciple criticized Jiang Fa for dodging, while Liu Ying and Gu Qingyan watched closely.
• Han Chong pressed Jiang Fa with a continuous series of linked axe strikes, and Gu Qingyan realized Jiang Fa was adapting to his rhythm and waiting for an opening.

Jiang Fa used his Major Accomplishment Wind-Chasing Steps to evade Han Chong’s fierce axe attacks, then slipped through the killing blow of Mountain-Splitting Consecutive Stacks and defeated him. The referee declared Jiang Fa the winner, leaving the arena stunned and cheering.

• Jiang Fa evaded Han Chong’s mountain-cleaving axe with unpredictable Wind-Chasing Steps, astonishing the spectators and drawing Gu Qingyan’s attention.
• Han Chong unleashed Mountain-Splitting Consecutive Stacks, but Jiang Fa charged through the converging axe shadows and slid close to Han Chong.
• Jiang Fa struck Han Chong’s leg with Penetrating Jin and followed with a punch to his chest, sending him off the platform.
• The referee declared Jiang Fa of the Zhao Clan Martial Hall the winner, and the arena erupted in astonishment.

Shi Chongshan suspected Jiang Fa had obtained the Wind-Chasing Steps from two Boulder Martial Hall disciples killed on Black Wind Ridge and ordered Li Kunlun to kill him if they met in the ring. On platform five, Qin Xuan faced Helan Shan, whose formidable first punch prompted Lie Changkong to doubt Qin Xuan could win, while Zhao Zhong remained confident.

• Li Kunlun told Shi Chongshan that Jiang Fa had mastered the Wind-Chasing Steps and might have been involved in the deaths of Zhao Qin and Qian An.
• Shi Chongshan ordered Li Kunlun to kill Jiang Fa if they faced each other, and Li Kunlun agreed.
• Qin Xuan faced Helan Shan, a rogue cultivator who had already won two bouts with devastating punches.
• Helan Shan launched a fast, precise punch at Qin Xuan as the referee's flag fell.
• Lie Changkong said Helan Shan's fist art was extraordinary and questioned whether Qin Xuan could prevail, but Zhao Zhong urged him to keep watching.