Chapter Summaries

While doing chores in the stables, Chen Xuan discovered that cultivating the Boulder Art and the Eight Desolations Prison-Suppressing Yang Gang together made both arts advance far faster. By noon, his progress had surged, and he looked ahead to confronting Liu San and Xiao Yuxuan at the martial training grounds that afternoon.

• Chen Xuan began circulating the Boulder Art and secretly activating the Eight Desolations Prison-Suppressing Yang Gang while shoveling horse dung.
• The two arts resonated at key acupoints, catalyzing each other and rapidly increasing their proficiency.
• Chen Xuan realized that stable chores could fuel his cultivation and worked tirelessly through the morning while Xiao Liuzi dismissed him as harmless.
• By noon, Chen Xuan had raised the Boulder Art to Minor accomplishment (100/1000) and the Eight Desolations Prison-Suppressing Yang Gang to Initiate (125/500).
• Chen Xuan resolved to keep cultivating and anticipated facing Liu San and Xiao Yuxuan at the martial training grounds that afternoon.

Chen Xuan led Treading Snow to the training grounds while concealing his growing strength and suspecting Liu San had planned a trap. Xiao Ling'er noticed that Chen Xuan’s scalded hand had healed overnight, drawing attention to his unusual recovery.

• Chen Xuan continued cultivating Boulder Art and Eight Desolations Prison-Suppressing Yang Gang while brushing Treading Snow.
• Liu San accused Chen Xuan of using strange force to injure him and hurried him toward the training grounds.
• Chen Xuan led Treading Snow past Liu San, suspecting he was setting up a scheme involving the horse.
• Xiao Ling'er demonstrated her whip skill before the gathered household guards and servants.
• Xiao Ling'er and Lin Wan'er noticed that the blisters from Chen Xuan’s scald had disappeared overnight.

Chen Xuan concealed his injured hand while noticing that someone had poisoned bamboo barbs in Treading Snow’s horseshoes. The horse went berserk with Xiao Ling'er in the saddle and charged toward the rear garden’s stone bridge as the guards tried to stop it.

• Chen Xuan claimed soot and herbal dregs had hidden the marks on his injured hand, and Xiao Ling'er took Treading Snow’s reins.
• Zhang Kui warned Xiao Ling'er that Treading Snow seemed agitated, but she mounted and rode around the grounds anyway.
• Chen Xuan heard poisoned barbs scraping inside Treading Snow’s hooves and realized Xiao Ling'er was the target.
• Treading Snow went mad from the pain and charged toward the rear garden’s stone bridge with Xiao Ling'er still on its back.
• Zhang Kui and the guards rushed to intercept Treading Snow, but the horse knocked one guard down and fatally crushed another’s breastbone.

Chen Xuan risked his life to stop Treading Snow before the narrow bridge, saving Xiao Ling'er from the runaway horse. Xiao Ling'er then fainted from shock and fell from the saddle, leaving Chen Xuan to catch her.

• As Treading Snow raced toward the bridge, Xiao Yuxuan and the others panicked while Instructor Zhang could not catch up.
• Chen Xuan charged from nearby, grabbed the reins, and used his martial strength to fight the horse’s momentum despite tearing up his hands.
• Chen Xuan forced Treading Snow to stop three paces before the bridge, and he reassured the shaken Xiao Ling'er that she was safe.
• After seeing Chen Xuan’s bloody hands, Xiao Ling'er lost her strength and toppled from the saddle.
• Chen Xuan shouted a warning as Xiao Ling'er fell.

Chen Xuan caught Xiao Ling'er after her runaway horse threw her, and she clung to him while recovering from the fright. When the guards arrived and saw her disheveled in his arms, she recoiled in shame and fury, though the memory of his touch continued to unsettle her.

• Chen Xuan released the reins and caught Xiao Ling'er as she fell from the mad horse.
• Xiao Ling'er trembled in Chen Xuan's arms and held on to his clothes as he told her she was safe.
• Instructor Zhang and the guards arrived, saw Xiao Ling'er pressed against Chen Xuan with her clothes disheveled, and froze.
• A furious voice called Chen Xuan an insolent slave, prompting Xiao Ling'er to shove him away and notice her open collar and sash.
• Xiao Ling'er shouted at everyone not to look while Lin Wan'er shielded her and helped fix her clothes.
• Xiao Ling'er stiffened at Lin Wan'er's touch and remembered Chen Xuan's hand on her waist as Lin Wan'er asked why she was still shaking.

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.