Recaps

Chen Xuan pleaded that he had only caught Xiao Ling'er to save her, but Xiao Yuxuan attacked him until Su Wanqing intervened. Su Wanqing uncovered a poisoned thorn in Treading Snow's hoof and revealed that someone had planned to make Xiao Ling'er suffer a fatal riding accident.

• Chen Xuan begged Xiao Ling'er to forgive him, claiming he had used his body to cushion her fall and protect her.
• Xiao Yuxuan arrived, kicked Chen Xuan, and drew a saber to cut off his hands for touching Xiao Ling'er.
• Su Wanqing stopped Xiao Yuxuan and went to examine the injured Treading Snow.
• Su Wanqing removed a poisoned bamboo thorn from Treading Snow's hoof and identified its substance as itching ant grass.
• Su Wanqing explained that the poison was intended to drive the horse into a frenzy and cause Xiao Ling'er to suffer a fatal fall.

After Xiao Ling'er survived Treading Snow’s rampage, Su Wanqing identified signs of a poisoning plot and noticed evidence of Chen Xuan’s hidden strength. When Xiao Ling'er demanded to know how he had caught the horse, Chen Xuan gave a humiliating explanation to conceal his abilities, and Xiao Yuxuan dismissed him as a beggar.

• Xiao Yuxuan ordered Zhang Kui to investigate after the poisoned bamboo splinter was found, while Su Wanqing noticed a guard with medicinal-garden mud on his boots and cracked bluestone bearing signs of great force.
• Su Wanqing explained that the Itching Ant Grass was meant to leave Xiao Ling'er crippled or disfigured, and Xiao Ling'er realized Chen Xuan had saved her from the lake.
• Xiao Ling'er demanded to know how Chen Xuan had caught Treading Snow when even Zhang Kui could not keep up.
• Chen Xuan hid his strength by claiming he had learned to run fast while fighting stray dogs for bones as a starving child.
• Xiao Yuxuan spat in disgust and dismissed Chen Xuan as a beggar rather than a martial artist hiding his abilities.

After Chen Xuan saved Xiao Ling'er from a maddened horse, he played the pitiful servant to avoid punishment, but Su Wanqing sensed his hidden strength and ordered a discreet background check. Back in the stables, Chen Xuan assessed the danger in the residence and resumed training while waiting for a reward.

• Chen Xuan claimed he had survived by fighting stray dogs, and Xiao Ling'er let him go while ordering him to bandage his wounded hands.
• Su Wanqing detected powerful Qi in Chen Xuan and told Jinshu to investigate his background without alerting the First Madam or Xiao Yuxuan.
• Su Wanqing urged Xiao Yuxuan to investigate the poisoned thorns, then left; Xiao Yuxuan ordered the guards to find the culprit by sunset.
• Xiao Ling'er remembered Chen Xuan saving her, while Lin Wan'er teased her about blushing at his name.
• Chen Xuan returned to the stables, recognized the poisoned thorns and Su Wanqing's suspicion as dangers, and considered how the rescue might earn him a reward.
• Chen Xuan checked his cultivation progress and resumed training to strengthen himself before dealing with the residence's dangers.

Chen Xuan concealed his growing strength as he was summoned before Madam Xiao, who questioned him about saving Xiao Ling'er from a runaway horse and his martial arts progress. He maintained his cover as a useless servant while Steward Zhao helped support that story, leaving Madam Xiao’s intentions unclear.

• Chen Xuan used his newly discovered ability to hide his strength before entering the main hall.
• Madam Xiao summoned Chen Xuan as a “master-protecting dog,” and he entered the hall and kowtowed to her and Xiao Ling'er.
• Madam Xiao asked Chen Xuan about rescuing Xiao Ling'er when Treading Snow went berserk, and he claimed he had acted only out of duty.
• Madam Xiao questioned Chen Xuan about his three years of practicing the Boulder Art, and he said he had not reached entry level.
• Steward Zhao confirmed Chen Xuan’s poor aptitude, while Chen Xuan realized Zhao was helping cover up his suspicions about the stable incident.

First Madam rewarded Chen Xuan for saving his master with gold and a Blood-Gathering Pill, despite Steward Sun’s attempt to stop her. Xiao Yuxuan then challenged the reward and accused Chen Xuan of taking advantage of Third Sister, while she defended Chen Xuan and rebuked her brother.

• First Madam awarded Chen Xuan ten taels of gold and a Blood-Gathering Pill for his fearless loyalty.
• Steward Sun objected that the pill was reserved for descendants and elite guards, but Chen Xuan humbly asked First Madam to take it back.
• First Madam punished Sun Fu by halving his dispensary section’s wages and charcoal allotments for interfering with her decision.
• Xiao Yuxuan entered and accused Chen Xuan of exploiting the chaos and touching Third Sister while stopping Treading Snow.
• Third Sister defended Chen Xuan, saying he had saved her from falling into Cold Water Lake and criticizing Xiao Yuxuan for staying back.

After Xiao Yuxuan’s mother forced him to reward Chen Xuan for saving Xiao Ling’er, Ling’er revealed a suspected plot against her and demanded Chen Xuan be made her personal guard. The first madam had not yet answered Ling’er’s request when the chapter ended.

• The first madam rebuked Xiao Yuxuan for failing to save Xiao Ling’er and ordered him to give Chen Xuan a Blood-Gathering Pill and ten taels of gold.
• Chen Xuan swore loyalty to the first branch, accepted the rewards, and privately vowed to take revenge after growing strong enough.
• Xiao Ling’er warned that Xiao Yuxuan might kill Chen Xuan and said a suspected mole had poisoned her horse with Itching Ant Grass.
• Xiao Ling’er asked the first madam to transfer Chen Xuan from the stables and appoint him as her personal guard.
• Xiao Yuxuan protested that Chen Xuan was too weak and that keeping him in the inner courtyard would damage Xiao Ling’er’s reputation.

Chen Xuan was promoted to Xiao Ling'er’s personal guard and returned to the stables to hide his gold and prepare to use the Blood-Gathering Pill. He revealed that his martial arts had already advanced far beyond what the Xiao household believed, and planned to use the pill to break through to the Middle Stage of Ming Jin and form Yang Gang True Qi.

• Xiao Ling'er asked First Madam to promote Chen Xuan, and First Madam transferred him from the stables to serve as her personal guard at the Listening to Rain Pavilion.
• Chen Xuan pledged his loyalty to Xiao Ling'er, making her blush before she warned him not to be late for his new post.
• Chen Xuan returned to the stables, hid the two gold ingots in a wall cavity, and kept a scrap of silver on him.
• Chen Xuan opened the vial and examined the Blood-Gathering Pill, which he intended to use to break through to the Middle Stage of Ming Jin and form Yang Gang True Qi.

Chen Xuan swallowed the Blood-Gathering Pill and used its power to rapidly advance his cultivation, but Liu San and Xiao Liuzi came to steal his rewards before he could finish breaking through. After they left, Chen Xuan completed his breakthrough to the Middle Stage of Ming Jin and resolved to settle the score with them.

• Chen Xuan swallowed the Blood-Gathering Pill and refined its overwhelming medicinal power with the Boulder Art and Eight Desolations Prison-Suppressing Yang Gang.
• Chen Xuan's techniques rapidly advanced as the pill strengthened his body and Yang Gang True Qi, bringing him to the brink of a breakthrough.
• Liu San and Xiao Liuzi came to the stable to seize Chen Xuan's pill and gold on Steward Zhao's orders, but left to search for him at the rear kitchen.
• After their footsteps faded, Chen Xuan released his suppressed Qi and blood, advanced both techniques, and broke through to the Middle Stage of Ming Jin.

Chen Xuan broke through to the Middle Stage of Ming Jin and minor attainment in Yang Gang, then concealed his true strength before reporting for duty at the Listening to Rain Pavilion. He left the stable disguised as a recent Early-stage Bright Force cultivator and encountered servants who had heard of his promotion.

• Chen Xuan tested his Yang Gang by punching a deep, scorched hole into the stable wall and hid the damage.
• Chen Xuan washed and changed, then practiced and noted how much faster and stronger he had become.
• Chen Xuan decided to claim that the Blood-Gathering Pill had only helped him reach Early-stage Bright Force and to keep his Yang Gang secret.
• Chen Xuan concealed his Middle Stage of Ming Jin cultivation, dirtied his palms, and wrapped them in bloodstained rags before leaving the stable.
• Li Si and another servant stopped Chen Xuan and expressed surprise that he was going to serve as the Third Young Miss's personal guard at the Listening to Rain Pavilion.

Chen Xuan concealed his reward and accepted his new post as Xiao Ling'er's bodyguard at Listening to Rain Pavilion, where Chun Tao insulted him and Qiu Yue intervened. Qiu Yue went inside to announce his arrival.

• Chen Xuan convinced Li Si and Zhao De that his gold and Blood-Gathering Pill were gone, then watched them leave without learning the truth.
• Chen Xuan went to Listening to Rain Pavilion to report for his new post as Xiao Ling'er's bodyguard.
• Chun Tao mocked Chen Xuan for his humble origins and poor apparent martial skill, while he silently endured her insults.
• Qiu Yue rebuked Chun Tao, apologized to Chen Xuan, and went into the courtyard to announce him to Xiao Ling'er.

Chen Xuan entered the Listening to Rain Pavilion after Qiu Yue explained its strict rules and met Xiao Ling'er in her private quarters. She questioned him about the Blood-Gathering Pill as he stood before her.

• Chun Tao complained that Chen Xuan was acting honest and warned he might be punished by Xiao Ling'er.
• Qiu Yue led Chen Xuan through the inner courtyard and explained the rules for entering and serving in the Listening to Rain Pavilion.
• Xiao Ling'er summoned Chen Xuan into her boudoir, where he greeted her respectfully and promised to obey the rules.
• Xiao Ling'er asked Chen Xuan whether he had taken the Blood-Gathering Pill awarded by the Madam.

Chen Xuan claimed that the Blood-Gathering Pill had helped him break through to early-stage Bright Force, and Xiao Ling'er verified his cultivation by examining his pulse. Convinced he had unusual potential and deeply loyal to her, she was left both delighted and puzzled by how quickly he had advanced.

• Chen Xuan told Xiao Ling'er that he had taken the Blood-Gathering Pill and broken through after four hours of cultivation.
• Xiao Ling'er and Qiu Yue reacted with disbelief, and Xiao Ling'er ordered Chen Xuan to hold out his hand so she could examine his pulse.
• Chen Xuan concealed his stronger cultivation and let Xiao Ling'er sense only his early-stage Bright Force blood Qi.
• Xiao Ling'er confirmed Chen Xuan's breakthrough and found his foundation unusually solid for a new cultivator.
• Chen Xuan vowed that he would fight for Xiao Ling'er alone, leaving her moved and bewildered by his rapid progress.

Xiao Ling'er rewarded Chen Xuan with imperial wound salve and made him her personal guard, arranging a room for him in the Listening to Rain Pavilion. Alone, Chen Xuan dropped his loyal disguise and revealed his true cultivation and plans to use Xiao Ling'er's support to gain strength and settle his scores.

• Xiao Ling'er warned Chen Xuan to avoid provoking the other branches and gave him Jade Skin Wound Salve for his injured hand.
• Xiao Ling'er appointed Chen Xuan to serve at her side and ordered Qiu Yue to settle him in a clean side room.
• Qiu Yue showed Chen Xuan his prepared room and told him to report outside Xiao Ling'er's upper chamber at the start of the chen hour the next morning.
• After Qiu Yue left, Chen Xuan dropped his deferential act and reflected on how he had won a place in the inner courtyard by fooling Xiao Ling'er.
• Chen Xuan revealed his middle-stage Ming Jin cultivation and minor-accomplishment Eight Desolations Prison-Suppressing Yang Gang, and vowed to make Xiao Yuxuan, Zhao De, and the poison plotter pay once he grew stronger.

Chen Xuan was ordered to massage Xiao Ling'er’s sore legs so she could test his obedience and his control of blood Qi. His treatment eased her pain but made her react with unexpected pleasure, and the chapter ended with her angrily accusing him of pressing too hard.

• Qiu Yue let Chen Xuan into Xiao Ling'er’s chambers after she had finished washing.
• Xiao Ling'er complained that her legs were sore and ordered Chen Xuan to massage them with his blood Qi.
• Chen Xuan concealed his awareness that Xiao Ling'er was testing his obedience and approached her calf with a show of nervous deference.
• Chen Xuan carefully sent warm blood Qi into Xiao Ling'er's tense muscles, relieving her soreness and prompting an involuntary moan.
• Xiao Ling'er blushed and scolded Chen Xuan for pressing too hard, while he begged her forgiveness.

Chen Xuan massaged Xiao Ling'er’s legs, then charmed her with bold flattery before Chun Tao tried to scald him with falling tea. He caught both teacups unharmed, leaving Chun Tao’s attack exposed.

• Chen Xuan apologized for using too much force while massaging Xiao Ling'er, and she ordered him to continue more gently.
• After the massage, Xiao Ling'er changed into riding clothes, and Chen Xuan praised her beauty until she blushed and Qiu Yue laughed.
• Chun Tao arrived with tea, insulted Chen Xuan, and deliberately tipped the scalding cups toward his face.
• Chen Xuan swiftly caught both falling teacups in one hand.

Chen Xuan saved himself from Chun Tao’s attempt to scald him, then used a show of magnanimity to persuade Xiao Ling’er to punish her without damaging her reputation. Xiao Ling’er ordered him to accompany her to inspect the western market district, where she suspected rivals were behind the trouble at her shops and the attack on her horse.

• Chun Tao tipped a tray of boiling tea at Chen Xuan, but he caught the cups and redirected the force, leaving her sprawled on the ground.
• Xiao Ling’er confronted Chun Tao, while Chen Xuan pleaded for leniency to protect his mistress’s reputation.
• Xiao Ling’er spared Chun Tao a whipping but sentenced her to ten bamboo strokes, three months without wages, and menial work in the back courtyard.
• Xiao Ling’er ordered Chen Xuan to bring Treading Snow and choose a horse so he could accompany her to inspect her western Qingzhou City properties.
• Xiao Ling’er explained that her shops had faced repeated trouble and that someone had poisoned Treading Snow, and Chen Xuan pledged to protect her at the market.

Xiao Ling'er and Chen Xuan rode to the western market, where Chen Xuan secretly trained while guarding her. They found the Marquis of Zhenbei's Residence's Splendid Cloud Silk shop surrounded by Black Tiger Gang thugs demanding repayment of a debt.

• Xiao Ling'er warned Chen Xuan to stay alert and watch for danger as they rode toward the western market.
• Chen Xuan flattered Xiao Ling'er and reminded her that he had protected her when Treading Snow went wild, softening her anger.
• Chen Xuan secretly circulated the Boulder Art and Eight Desolations Prison-Suppressing Yang Gang while riding, improving his cultivation.
• Xiao Ling'er and Chen Xuan saw a crowd gathered around Splendid Cloud Silk as Black Tiger Gang thugs smashed the shop's goods and demanded three thousand taels in debt.

Xiao Ling'er confronted the Black Tiger Gang after its thugs attacked the Cloud Silk Shop, a property of the Marquis of Zhenbei's Residence. Her first clash with their enforcer, Liu Heng, left her whip hand injured and her weapon nearly knocked away.

• Liu Heng and the Black Tiger Gang thugs claimed the shop had been pledged against gambling debts, beat its old assistant, and ruined tribute satin.
• Chen Xuan warned Xiao Ling'er that the debt was likely a pretext for a trap, but she rode forward to defend the shop.
• Xiao Ling'er arrived at the shop, where Liu Heng and the thugs mocked and sexually harassed her.
• Furious, Xiao Ling'er lashed at Liu Heng with her whip, but he blocked it with his cleaver and overpowered her in the clash.

Chen Xuan jumped in front of Xiao Ling'er and provoked Scarface Liu Heng after the thug insulted her. Liu Heng launched a full-force saber attack at Chen Xuan, leaving him facing a deadly blow.

• Scarface Liu Heng overpowered Xiao Ling'er and leered at her after wounding her hand.
• Chen Xuan leaped off his horse to shield Xiao Ling'er and angrily denounced Liu Heng.
• Xiao Ling'er told Chen Xuan to get behind her horse, but he refused and vowed to protect her.
• Chen Xuan mocked Liu Heng's appearance and abilities until the outlaws and Xiao Ling'er reacted with laughter and relief.
• Enraged by Chen Xuan's insults, Liu Heng charged and swung his saber at Chen Xuan's forehead.

Chen Xuan concealed his true strength as he used force-redirection to defeat Liu Bazi with one punch, saving Xiao Ling'er from the Black Tiger Gang. The gang’s thugs fled, leaving Liu Bazi unconscious in the street.

• Xiao Ling'er warned Chen Xuan that Liu Bazi was a middle-stage Ming Jin fighter and tried to stop his attack with her whip.
• Chen Xuan pretended to risk his life, then redirected Liu Bazi’s saber strike with his bare hands and unbalanced him.
• Chen Xuan punched Liu Bazi in the chest, breaking his ribs and sending him crashing into the other thugs.
• The bystanders and Black Tiger Gang thugs stared in shock as Liu Bazi lay unconscious.
• The remaining thugs fled, abandoning Liu Bazi in the street.

Chen Xuan staged his injuries after driving off Scarface and used Xiao Ling'er’s fall to catch her in an intimate embrace. After she rebuked him but spared him punishment, approaching footsteps from both ends of the street interrupted them.

• Chen Xuan pretended to be badly hurt and knelt before Xiao Ling'er, claiming he had failed to protect her.
• Xiao Ling'er worried over Chen Xuan’s bloodied hand and hurried off Treading Snow, then slipped on the muddy flagstones.
• Chen Xuan caught Xiao Ling'er around the waist and pulled her against his chest before she hit the ground.
• Xiao Ling'er shoved Chen Xuan away and scolded him, but lowered her whip when she remembered he had protected her from Scarface.
• Chen Xuan complimented Xiao Ling'er as she blushed, and disorderly footsteps rumbled from both ends of the street.

Chen Xuan teased Xiao Ling'er while helping her after she slipped, but their exchange was interrupted when the Black Tiger Gang surrounded them on West Street. The gang’s towering Second Boss arrived, carrying a bloodied spiked mace.

• Chen Xuan held Xiao Ling'er around the waist and flirted with her while pretending to apologize for his actions.
• Xiao Ling'er ordered Chen Xuan to let go, and he steadied her again after secretly touching her back.
• Shopkeeper Zhou warned Chen Xuan and Xiao Ling'er that the Black Tiger Gang had sealed off West Street.
• Fifty or sixty Black Tiger Gang swordsmen surrounded the Cloud Silk Fabric Shop and blocked the street.
• The gang’s men made way for their Second Boss, a towering, scarred man carrying a bloodied spiked mace.

Xiao Ling'er confronted Lei Hu and the Black Tiger Gang after they attacked the Cloud Silk Shop, but Lei Hu mocked her and threatened her with sexual violence. Enraged, she prepared to attack him with her whip.

• The shopkeeper warned Xiao Ling'er that Lei Hu was a powerful, dangerous fighter and urged her to escape.
• Lei Hu arrived, saw Liu Heng injured, and recognized Xiao Ling'er and Chen Xuan as the ones who had defeated his men.
• Lei Hu ogled and insulted Xiao Ling'er, while one of his men accused Chen Xuan of crippling Liu Bazi.
• Xiao Ling'er defended her household's property and challenged Lei Hu over the gang's attack, but he dismissed her threat to invoke the Marquis of Zhenbei's Residence.
• Lei Hu revealed that his superiors had ordered him to teach Xiao Ling'er a lesson and continued threatening and humiliating her.
• Xiao Ling'er lost control of her anger, gathered her Qi, and prepared to lash Lei Hu with her whip.

Chen Xuan stood between Xiao Ling'er and the Black Tiger Gang, vowing to protect her despite Lei Hu’s overwhelming strength. After Lei Hu mocked and threatened them, Chen Xuan insulted him and prepared to face him.

• Chen Xuan pulled Xiao Ling'er behind him and refused her order to retreat, promising to keep her safe from the bandits.
• Xiao Ling'er became emotional at Chen Xuan’s willingness to risk his life for her and pleaded with him to come back.
• Lei Hu and the Black Tiger Gang thugs mocked Chen Xuan for only recently reaching early-stage Bright Force and threatened to kill him and assault Xiao Ling'er.
• Chen Xuan stood firm and taunted Lei Hu and the Black Tiger Gang for lusting after Xiao Ling'er.

Chen Xuan provoked Lei Hu into attacking, then revealed his hidden strength and killed the Black Tiger Gang’s second-in-command with one punch. Lei Hu’s death left the gangsters surrounding Chen Xuan and Xiao Ling’er staring in horror.

• Chen Xuan insulted Lei Hu while defending Xiao Ling’er, driving the Black Tiger Gang leader into a rage.
• Lei Hu leapt at Chen Xuan with his hundred-jin spiked club as Xiao Ling’er cried out for Chen Xuan to dodge.
• Chen Xuan met the club with his fist, using Boulder Art and Eight Desolations Prison-Suppressing Yang Gang to shatter the weapon and wound nearby thugs with its fragments.
• Chen Xuan broke Lei Hu’s arms and drove a second blow through his chest, killing him in the street.