Recaps

Chen Xuan survived Xiao Yuxuan’s whipping and used his diligence-enhancing fate trait to master the Boulder Art and secretly learn the estate’s Yang Gang technique. After breaking through to Bright Force while hiding his strength, he saved Xiao Ling'er from a poisoned, runaway horse, leaving the household stunned by his actions and her shaken by their close contact.

• Xiao Yuxuan whipped Chen Xuan until he collapsed, but Chen Xuan woke in the woodshed and realized he had transmigrated into the body of a dead slave.
• Chen Xuan discovered the fate trait [Heaven rewards diligence, and success is certain] and used the Boulder Art manual to begin cultivating and heal his wounds.
• While serving tea at the training grounds, Chen Xuan absorbed Xiao Yuxuan’s Eight Desolations Prison-Suppressing Yang Gang and secretly cultivated it alongside the Boulder Art.
• Chen Xuan perfected the Boulder Art, broke through to Early-stage Bright Force, and concealed his increased strength from Steward Zhao and Liu San.
• Chen Xuan secretly injured Liu San’s knee with a controlled burst of Qi force, then maintained his harmless facade as Liu San vowed to make him lead Treading Snow.
• Chen Xuan combined the two martial arts with his stable chores, rapidly increasing his proficiency while preparing to face Liu San at the training grounds.
• Chen Xuan heard poisoned barbs scraping inside Treading Snow’s hooves as Xiao Ling'er rode the horse, which went mad and charged toward a stone bridge.
• Chen Xuan stopped Treading Snow just before the bridge and caught Xiao Ling'er when she fell, leaving her shaken as the arriving guards saw them in an intimate embrace.

Chen Xuan rescued Xiao Ling'er from a poisoning plot, used his reward to advance his cultivation, and became her personal guard. When the Black Tiger Gang attacked her silk shop, Chen Xuan killed Lei Hu and left the gang’s assault in ruins.

• Chen Xuan saved Xiao Ling'er when poisoned Treading Snow went berserk, and Su Wanqing identified Itching Ant Grass on the horse while Xiao Yuxuan ordered an investigation.
• First Madam rewarded Chen Xuan with gold and a Blood-Gathering Pill, then transferred him to serve as Xiao Ling'er's personal guard at the Listening to Rain Pavilion.
• Chen Xuan refined the pill, secretly broke through to the Middle Stage of Ming Jin, and concealed his strength from Xiao Ling'er and the household servants.
• Chen Xuan began serving Xiao Ling'er, endured Chun Tao's insults, and caught the boiling tea she tipped toward him before Xiao Ling'er punished her.
• Chen Xuan accompanied Xiao Ling'er to inspect her western properties, where Black Tiger Gang thugs attacked Splendid Cloud Silk over a claimed gambling debt.
• Chen Xuan defeated Liu Bazi after he overpowered Xiao Ling'er, but Lei Hu arrived with dozens of gang members and threatened them both.
• Chen Xuan refused to retreat, shattered Lei Hu's spiked club with his fist, broke both of Lei Hu's arms, and killed him with a second blow.