Arc 2The Twin Ultimates’ Journey

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao joined Taiqing Palace’s lineage, traveled through Bingzhou, and reunited with Chen Xugu at Pure Yang Palace, where they advanced their cultivation and taught its disciples. As they continued toward Central Province, they killed bandits and clashed with the Eight Ultimates after being blamed for interrupting their fight.

  • Chen Xugu intervened when Juekong attacked Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao, and declared the brothers disciples of the late Li Xuanxin.
  • Li Xuanzhen inducted Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao into Taiqing Palace’s lineage before ascending, and Zhang Junbao later left the Taiqing Cave Profundity Skill with the sect.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao reached Thousand Dragon City, where Zhang Junbao fought Mount Song Sword Sect disciples who were harassing travelers, and Pei Wuya eventually let the townspeople go.
  • At Pure Yang Palace, Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao discovered that Chen Xugu’s wife was the Third Princess, heard how Chen had rescued her from a political marriage, and sparred with him until they gained new insights.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao advanced their Supreme Yin and Supreme Yang techniques to the eighth level, then held separate lessons for Pure Yang Palace disciples, with Zhang Qingyuan proving the more effective teacher.
  • After leaving Pure Yang Palace, Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao destroyed three bandit strongholds and rescued their captives before continuing toward Central Province.
  • When the Eight Ultimates and Jiang Muye fought near Mount Hua, Zhang Qingyuan confronted them after they blamed him and Zhang Junbao, then killed Yue Chongluan and the other Ultimates who attacked.
Chapters 26–50 Vol. 1 Read

Ch. 26The Two Battle Monk Juekong

Zhang Junbao explained how he and Zhang Qingyuan created their martial arts, then shared their manuals to disprove Juekong’s accusations of stealing from Shaolin. Juekong succumbed to his inner demon and attacked them, but Chen Xugu arrived to protect his junior brothers.

  • Zhang Junbao described how he and Zhang Qingyuan combined martial arts principles and their own ideas to create their techniques, impressing the gathered martial artists.
  • Juekong rejected Zhang Junbao’s explanation and accused him of stealing Shaolin martial arts, but Zhang Junbao handed Zhong Qishan the Purple Firmament Thunder Ultimate Sword Technique and Nine Yang Palm manuals for inspection.
  • Chu Tianxing declared that the manuals had nothing to do with Shaolin, while Luo Binghe praised Zhang Junbao’s talent.
  • Juekong’s inner demon overwhelmed him, and he attacked Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao with the Formless Tribulation Finger and Nine Yang Palm.
  • Chen Xugu descended between Juekong and the two brothers, declaring that he would see who dared bully his junior brothers.

Ch. 27The Pure Yang Daoist Chief Had Stories to Tell

Chen Xugu arrived at the Shaolin confrontation, defeated Juekong with a single sword stroke, and asserted the Daoist claim to Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao. After the other sects left, he fled from Qin Shuangjiang’s heartfelt reunion and chased after the two younger men.

  • Chen Xugu held off Juekong’s attacks with his sword and mocked him until Juekong spat blood.
  • Yankong greeted Chen Xugu as Perfected Tianxu, revealing that they were old acquaintances, while Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao realized their senior brother had summoned him.
  • Chen Xugu announced that Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao would enter the Taiqing Sage’s lineage as disciples of the late Li Xuanxin, and dared anyone to object.
  • Yankong led Juekong and the Shaolin group away, and the other sects followed without challenging Chen Xugu.
  • Qin Shuangjiang approached Chen Xugu and recalled their past, while Chen Xugu told her to live well with Luo Binghe.
  • Chen Xugu mouthed for Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao to run, then chased them as they fled.

Ch. 28Mortals Cannot Take Immortals as Disciples

Chen Xugu explained how Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao had been made disciples of the late Taiqing Palace master, Li Xuanxin, after Daoist Xuanzhen summoned him to help them. He told the brothers to pack for Mount Laojun, while they ended the chapter still curious about his connection to Qin Shuangjiang and the Joyous Union Sect.

  • Chen Xugu caught Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao in Xia County, and they thanked him for intervening.
  • Zhang Qingyuan asked why Chen Xugu had come, and Chen explained that Daoist Xuanzhen had summoned him after receiving the brothers' letter.
  • Chen Xugu revealed that the Daoist sects had made the brothers disciples of Li Xuanxin, the previous palace master of Taiqing Palace, to avoid giving them seniority over an entire generation.
  • Chen Xugu told Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao to pack and accompany him to Mount Laojun before Daoist Xuanzhen's impending ascension.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao asked Chen Xugu about Qin Shuangjiang, then whispered about visiting the Joyous Union Sect.

Ch. 29Entering the Dao on Mount Laojun, Perfected Zhang Founds a Dao Sect

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao returned to Mount Laojun, where Li Xuanzhen formally inducted them as disciples and declared that they had missions of their own. After Li Xuanzhen ascended and Wu Miaoxin became head of Taiqing Palace, the gathered Daoist leaders scrutinized the pair, prompting Zhang Junbao to present his martial arts manuals and insights.

  • Chen Xugu brought Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao to Taiqing Palace and introduced them to Li Xuanzhen and the gathered sect heads.
  • Li Xuanzhen inducted Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao as disciples of Daoist Li Xuanxin and gave them metal register plaques.
  • Li Xuanzhen declared that the pair were free to pursue their own missions, then died and ascended to heaven.
  • Wu Miaoxin succeeded Li Xuanzhen as head of Taiqing Palace, and the Daoist leaders surrounded Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao to assess them.
  • Zhang Junbao presented his martial arts manuals, annotations, and insights to prove the pair's abilities, while Zhang Qingyuan seemed distracted.

Ch. 30The nature of the world, the truth of transmigration

After a year studying Taoist scriptures and cultivating at Taiqing Palace, Zhang Qingyuan finally understood Li Xuanzhen’s words about Profound Comprehension and how it differed from perceiving the universe. He realized the path might be open to him too, though its door had not yet opened.

  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao spent a year at Taiqing Palace reading, practicing, and attending devotions while Wu Miaoxin left them undisturbed.
  • Zhang Junbao created the Primordial Unity Finger, the Yellow Court Qi-Refining Art, and the Taiqing Cave Profundity Skill, while continuing to refine his other martial arts.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao cultivated the Supreme Yin Meridian-Concentrating Divine Skill and Supreme Yang Meridian-Concentrating Divine Skill to the seventh level, and each cautiously cultivated tiny strands of two other kinds of True Qi.
  • As Zhang Qingyuan watched disciples practice, falling leaves formed a divinatory pattern and inspired him to understand Li Xuanzhen’s distinction between observing the principles of one world and perceiving the universe.
  • Zhang Qingyuan concluded that Profound Comprehension could let a human glimpse mysterious truths without becoming immortal, and believed he might attain it himself.

Ch. 31Changes in the jianghu after leaving the mountain

After leaving Taiqing Palace, Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao heard how the jianghu’s balance of power had changed following a disastrous campaign against Netherworld City. As they continued toward Bingzhou, Zhang Qingyuan argued that the supposed righteous campaign was really an attempt to seize Situ Qingluan’s treasure.

  • Zhang Junbao left the Taiqing Cave Profundity Skill with Taiqing Palace, and Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao said goodbye to Senior Brother Miaoxin before leaving the mountain.
  • At a teahouse, Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao heard about the Water-Parting Sword, Pei Wuya’s failed bid to unite the Five Mountains Sword Sects, and Situ Qingluan’s rise to power after defeating Jinshan Temple and six sects at the Ancient City of Guixu.
  • The travelers learned that the Great Luo Sect and Great Void Sect had been destroyed, other factions had seized the weakened sects’ holdings, and the Joyous Union Sect had joined the seven great sects.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao resumed their journey toward Bingzhou, where they planned to visit Chen Xugu, and discussed whether Situ Qingluan was a bad person.
  • Zhang Qingyuan told Zhang Junbao that Jinshan Temple and the other factions had attacked Netherworld City to seize its treasure, then warned that orthodox sects would brand anyone a villain if it served their interests.

Ch. 32Buying swords

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao arrived in Thousand Dragon City, where Mount Song Sword Sect disciples were killing people accused of colluding with Netherworld City. After buying fine swords, they heard cries in the city, and Zhang Qingyuan agreed to investigate with Zhang Junbao.

  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao crossed the Yellow River and reached Thousand Dragon City in Bingzhou, where the brothers discussed buying swords with their remaining forty-four taels.
  • Mount Song Sword Sect disciples killed three men they accused of secretly colluding with Netherworld City, and an inn waiter explained that the sect had been harassing locals while Six Doors lacked a head constable.
  • Zhang Junbao considered intervening, but Zhang Qingyuan persuaded him not to get involved in the killings outside the inn.
  • Zhang Qingyuan bought two fine swords at Yinghui Sword Pavilion for fifteen taels each, and Zhang Junbao eagerly drew and sheathed his new sword.
  • When the brothers heard cries in the center of the city, Zhang Junbao sought Zhang Qingyuan's support, and Zhang Qingyuan agreed to go with him.

Ch. 33Zhang the Sloppy

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao intervened when Mount Song Sword Sect disciples blocked a scholar from taking Doctor Wang to his wife, who was hemorrhaging during childbirth. Zhang Qingyuan escorted the scholar away while Zhang Junbao stayed behind to confront the sect disciples, and the chapter ended as he unleashed his sword against their formation.

  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao found Mount Song Sword Sect disciples stopping a scholar and Doctor Wang from leaving Thousand Dragon City.
  • Jiang Yi explained that the sect was searching for a wounded Netherworld City fiend, but Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao helped the scholar and doctor head for the city gate.
  • At the gate, Mount Song Sword Sect disciples tried to stop the travelers and demand silver, so Zhang Junbao escorted the scholar outside while Zhang Qingyuan protected Doctor Wang.
  • Zhang Junbao stayed behind to hold off the disciples as Zhang Qingyuan drove the scholar and doctor toward the scholar's home.
  • The disciples surrounded Zhang Junbao with a sword formation, and he shattered their huge sword with a move he called “Thunderbolt” before attacking them.

Ch. 34Pei Wuya knew when to bend and when to stand tall

Zhang Qingyuan returned to find Zhang Junbao facing Pei Wuya after the Mount Song Sword Sect leader’s disciples had been killed at the city gates. Once Zhang Qingyuan confirmed the rescued mother and baby were safe, the two entered the city, while Pei Wuya left with his depleted sect.

  • Pei Wuya explained that he had fought Zhang Junbao until Jiang Yi identified the Daoist, then apologized but remained trapped by Zhang Junbao’s killing intent.
  • Zhang Qingyuan asked Pei Wuya to let the townspeople leave, and Pei Wuya quickly cleared the gate and promised not to oppress decent folk.
  • Zhang Qingyuan told Zhang Junbao that the mother and baby had survived, so Zhang Junbao sheathed his sword and entered the city with him.
  • Zhang Junbao realized his jade hairpin from Senior Brother Miaoxin was missing, but he and Zhang Qingyuan could not find it outside the gates.
  • Pei Wuya left Thousand Dragon City with his surviving disciples and admitted he could not take revenge on Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao.

Ch. 35Pure Yang Daoist Palace

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao recovered the lost hairpin, left Thousand Dragon City, and continued north toward Pure Yang Palace. At the palace, they were welcomed by Shen Qianhua, whose attempt to tell them about his master’s youthful romance was cut short by Chen Xugu.

  • Qiao Tianci redeemed Zhang Junbao’s hairpin and explained how he had settled into running his inn after squandering his family fortune.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao resumed their journey, and Zhang Qingyuan sensed that Qiao Tianci would someday prosper again.
  • The two traveled through towns where word of their deeds had encouraged members of the jianghu to treat commoners well, then reached Flying Crane Mountain.
  • Shen Qianhua and Fang Ming welcomed Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao, and Shen Qianhua described the Pure Yang Daoist Sect’s numbers and ranks.
  • Zhang Qingyuan asked Shen Qianhua about his master’s youthful love story, but Chen Xugu struck Shen’s mute acupoint and warned them that anyone who asked about it would die.

Ch. 36Brotherly affection and respect

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao visited Chen Xugu, who tried to send them away and keep them from meeting his wife. After they gave him the Taiqing Dongting Technique, he welcomed them to stay, but privately decided not to let them meet her.

  • Chen Xugu tried to drive Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao away by claiming the palace had no food or empty rooms.
  • Zhang Junbao said they wanted to pay their respects to Chen Xugu's wife, and Chen Xugu claimed she was ill and contagious.
  • Zhang Qingyuan gave Zhang Junbao the Taiqing Dongting Technique, which impressed Chen Xugu and changed his mind about hosting them.
  • Chen Xugu ordered Fang Ming to prepare dinner and rooms for his two junior brothers.
  • After reading the manual, Chen Xugu appreciated their gift and decided he still would not let them meet his wife.

Ch. 37Just how petty was Chen Xugu?

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao toured Pure Yang Palace, discussed the popularity of the Wealth God, and learned how ruthlessly Chen Xugu dealt with those who offended him. After Jiang Qinyue summoned the disciples to hear about a new cultivation manual, the brothers decided to explore the back mountain.

  • Zhang Qingyuan told Zhang Junbao that the Wealth God Hall earned Pure Yang Palace a large share of its offerings.
  • Fang Ming explained that Chen Xugu had forced Zhao Nianzhi, the Phoenix Sect master's son, to become a Daoist after Zhao offended him.
  • Fang Ming refused to discuss Chen Xugu's wife, saying that his second senior brother had gone down the mountain for asking about her.
  • Jiang Qinyue told Fang Ming that Chen Xugu had summoned his direct disciples to the rear hall to hear about an internal cultivation manual.
  • Fang Ming went to search for his missing granduncle and Fourth Senior Brother, while Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao chose to explore the back mountain.

Ch. 38One backward smile unleashed a hundred charms, routing heavenly generals and startling ghosts and gods!

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao explored the countryside near Pure Yang Palace and encountered a village woman whose stunning figure and strangely incongruous face left them baffled. After repeatedly checking from different angles, they confirmed that her front and back seemed to belong to entirely different levels of beauty.

  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao watched Pure Yang Palace disciples train, then followed a stream downhill to a river.
  • Zhang Qingyuan enjoyed the river while Zhang Junbao practiced his lightness skill by crossing over its surface.
  • The two met five village women washing clothes and noticed one woman seemed extraordinarily striking.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao repeatedly circled around to inspect the woman, uncertain whether her breathtaking silhouette belonged to the woman with the peculiar face.
  • The woman turned back with a glance, confirming that her beautiful figure and unusually mismatched features belonged to the same person.

Ch. 39The Narrow-minded Chen Xugu?

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao suspected that the beautiful village woman was Chen Xugu’s hidden wife and imagined how she might have been forced into a marriage alliance before Chen rescued her. They condemned Chen for keeping her secluded and resolved to correct his behavior, though Zhang Qingyuan suggested investigating their suspicions first.

  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao agreed to pretend they knew nothing about the woman they suspected was Chen Xugu’s wife.
  • Zhang Junbao wondered whether Great Feng’s palace had deliberately let Chen Xugu steal the bride, and Zhang Qingyuan agreed it was possible.
  • The two imagined that the third princess had been hidden away because of her unusual appearance and that Chen had rescued her from a political marriage.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao accused Chen of confining and neglecting his wife, then decided they should correct his mistake.
  • Zhang Qingyuan proposed investigating before acting, but Zhang Junbao teased him for pretending not to understand.

Ch. 40Leniency for Confession, Severity for Resistance

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao confronted Chen Xugu about why he had left his wife in a village, suspecting that he was ashamed of her appearance. Chen Xugu admitted she was his wife, but the chapter ended with him bewildered by their accusations and Zhang Junbao demanding a confession.

  • Chen Xugu and the Pure Yang Palace elders discussed who should cultivate the Taiqing Cave Profundity Skill, while several disciples doubted their suitability.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao agreed to ask Chen Xugu why he treated his wife as they believed he did.
  • The Pure Yang Palace elders warmly welcomed the two men and thanked them for giving the sect the cultivation method, delaying their confrontation with Chen Xugu.
  • Chen Xugu invited Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao into his room and asked why they had come to see him.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao accused Chen Xugu of leaving his wife in the village because he despised her appearance, and Chen Xugu denied the accusation and offered to fight.
  • Zhang Junbao told Chen Xugu to confess what he had done before they considered sparring.

Ch. 41Objective achieved

Chen Xugu brought Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao to meet the Third Princess, who welcomed them into her home and spoke warmly about her marriage. After the two junior brothers asked how she and Chen Xugu had met, she began recalling their youth.

  • Chen Xugu led Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao to Lü Family Village, where villagers greeted him gratefully for Pure Yang Palace’s help and protection.
  • The three arrived at the Third Princess’s courtyard, and she welcomed Chen Xugu’s junior brothers inside.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao shared tea and snacks with the couple, joking and growing more comfortable with the Third Princess.
  • Zhang Qingyuan asked how the Third Princess had met Chen Xugu and mentioned his famous tale of flying into a rage for a beauty.
  • The Third Princess said marrying Chen Xugu was the greatest blessing of her life and began recalling when they were both sixteen.

Ch. 42Chen Xugu's love story! (3,500-word chapter)

The Third Princess recounted how Chen Xugu’s kindness helped her overcome a lonely childhood, how they fell in love through years of meetings and letters, and how he entered the Feng Kingdom’s palace to rescue her from a political marriage. They escaped together after Chen Xugu entered the Dao, and the story ended with Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao suspecting he had left out details about the Purple Bamboo Grove.

  • The Third Princess explained how Chen Xugu was the first person to appreciate her features and comfort her when they met in the palace.
  • Chen Xugu and the Third Princess exchanged letters for years as he built his reputation in the martial world.
  • The Third Princess told Chen Xugu that she was being married to the Feng Kingdom’s eldest prince, and Chen Xugu traveled to the capital to learn the marriage alliance’s circumstances.
  • Chen Xugu attacked the Feng Kingdom’s palace during the wedding and entered the Dao while fighting to reclaim the Third Princess.
  • The Third Princess threw herself into Chen Xugu’s arms, and the old emperor and Fengtian’s high priest allowed them to leave.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao questioned whether Chen Xugu had omitted what happened at the Purple Bamboo Grove, so Chen Xugu challenged them to spar.

Ch. 43A great battle-now that's what you call genius!

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao sparred with Chen Xugu, repeatedly gaining combat insight and advancing their internal arts as the fight intensified. Chen Xugu finally forced them back, and they began a months-long seclusion to digest their gains while Pure Yang Palace disciples built shelters around them.

  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao challenged Chen Xugu with Supreme Yang and Supreme Yin True Qi, testing their skills against his superior martial arts.
  • The brothers combined sword, palm, finger, and Taiji techniques, forcing Chen Xugu to raise his strength as they gained sudden insights during the fight.
  • Chen Xugu counterattacked with ninety percent of his strength and split the river with a sword strike, forcing the exhausted brothers back.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao reached the eighth realm of their respective Meridian-Concentrating Divine Skills and began digesting their battle insights.
  • Yuan Heqing and the Pure Yang Palace disciples surveyed the ruined riverbank, while Chen Xugu ordered shelters built for the brothers' two-to-three-month seclusion.
  • Jiang Qinyue and another disciple told Yuan Heqing that he needed to feel pressure because the nineteen-year-old martial uncles had nearly caught up to him.

Ch. 44Zhang Junbao's insights on cultivation

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao emerged from five days of seclusion after both advancing their Supreme Yin and Supreme Yang techniques to the eighth level. Zhang Junbao shared his simple cultivation advice with Pure Yang Palace’s disciples, and Zhang Qingyuan offered to give a lecture on the Dao in ten days.

  • Jiang Qinyue asked Yuan Heqing how long Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao would remain in seclusion, and he explained that insights took time to digest.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao broke through to the eighth level of their respective Supreme Yin and Supreme Yang techniques and emerged after five days.
  • Yuan Heqing and the other disciples welcomed the two martial uncles, who complained that they were hungry and asked for food.
  • Yuan Heqing asked Zhang Junbao to explain how he cultivated so quickly, and Zhang Junbao advised learning martial arts moves thoroughly and following cultivation methods step by step.
  • Zhang Qingyuan offered to give a lecture on the Dao at Pure Yang Palace’s martial training grounds in ten days.

Ch. 45A teacher passes on the Dao, imparts skills, and resolves doubts

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao studied Pure Yang scriptures while Yuan Heqing secretly watched, hoping to discover their cultivation method. At dinner, they caught him spying and reassured him about his slower progress before inviting him to join their training.

  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao read and discussed Pure Yang scriptures in the Scripture Repository while Yuan Heqing secretly observed them.
  • The three met Daoist Chenyuan at dinner and heard about his work teaching scriptures and telling fortunes.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao revealed that they had noticed Yuan Heqing following them and said their cultivation method was simply how they practiced.
  • Zhang Qingyuan explained that Yuan Heqing’s slow cultivation came with a high ceiling, and Zhang Junbao compared him to slowly growing golden-thread nanmu.
  • Zhang Qingyuan invited Yuan Heqing and the martial arts disciples to train with him the next morning, while Zhang Junbao began to offer to teach too.

Ch. 46Zhang Junbao: Want to Bet? If You Win, I'll Admit You're Impressive!

Zhang Junbao challenged Zhang Qingyuan to prove that he could teach martial arts better, and the two arranged separate lessons for the Pure Yang Palace disciples. The disciples chose their instructors and followed them away from the courtyard, beginning the contest.

  • Zhang Junbao challenged Zhang Qingyuan to a teaching competition after Zhang Qingyuan said he could not teach ordinary disciples effectively.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao agreed to hold separate cultivation lessons the next morning and let the disciples choose between them.
  • Yuan Heqing brought many Pure Yang Palace disciples, including several of Chen Xugu's disciples, to attend the lessons.
  • Jiang Qinyue stood with Zhang Qingyuan because she had struggled to understand Zhang Junbao's previous lesson, while her fellow disciples chose their preferred instructor.
  • The disciples divided into roughly equal groups, and Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao led their groups in opposite directions.

Ch. 47Like this, like this, then like this. Got it?

Zhang Junbao and Zhang Qingyuan taught the Pure Yang disciples, but Zhang Junbao struggled to make them understand his explanations while Zhang Qingyuan patiently broke techniques down. After hearing how the lessons went, Zhang Junbao conceded that Zhang Qingyuan was the better teacher.

  • Zhang Junbao lectured his disciples on Pure Yang cultivation, led them through their routine, and tried to answer their questions about internal cultivation and the Two Forms Sword.
  • Zhang Junbao diagnosed no problem with a disciple’s meridians, then demonstrated the Two Forms Sword so skillfully that the disciple still could not reproduce the final four moves.
  • Zhang Qingyuan explained the Two Forms Sword by breaking down its positions, moves, and applications, then guided the disciples through practice.
  • At dinner, Jiang Qinyue asked Fang Ming how Zhang Junbao’s teaching had gone, and Fang Ming described struggling to follow his explanations.
  • Zhang Junbao brought his tray to Zhang Qingyuan and admitted that Zhang Qingyuan was the better teacher.

Ch. 48We're the protagonists' portable grandpas

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao left Pure Yang Palace after guiding its disciples and gathering supplies, then set out east toward Central Province. On the road, they avoided the growing conflict around Netherworld City and continued on their own path.

  • Zhang Qingyuan helped Yuan Heqing overcome his impatience and accept a steady approach to cultivation, while Zhang Junbao gave up teaching and befriended Zhao Nianzhi through a series of fights.
  • Chen Xugu and the Pure Yang disciples saw Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao off, giving them scriptures, Daoist robes, travel money, and provisions.
  • After two days traveling east, Zhang Junbao asked to visit Netherworld City, but Zhang Qingyuan predicted it would remain powerful for decades and refused.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao agreed to avoid the clichéd hero's adventure around Netherworld City and continued toward Central Province.

Ch. 49Zhang Qingyuan wanted to kill!

Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao continued their journey through Central Province, wiping out bandit strongholds and giving the rescued villagers food and aid. While watching a fight between Jiang Muye and the Eight Eminences of Central Province, Zhang Junbao found inspiration for the Thirteen Swords, but an angry outburst drew Zhang Qingyuan into the conflict.

  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao killed the bandits in three strongholds, rescued abducted women, children, and villagers, and deposited the remaining valuables for their future sect.
  • Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao carried stolen grain down from a mountain and gave it to passing woodcutters.
  • Zhang Qingyuan teased Zhang Junbao about visiting Hundred Flowers Valley as they traveled toward Mount Zhongnan.
  • At a restaurant near Mount Hua, Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao watched Jiang Muye fight the Eight Eminences of Central Province.
  • After studying Jiang Muye's refined swordsmanship, Zhang Junbao found inspiration for creating the Thirteen Swords.
  • When one of the fighters blasted force toward them and angrily demanded they stop making noise, Zhang Qingyuan drew his sword and prepared to confront the nine combatants.

Ch. 50Kill!

Zhang Qingyuan killed the Eight Ultimates of the Central Plains after they provoked him and attacked him, while Zhang Junbao challenged onlookers who condemned the killing. The chapter ended with Zhang Qingyuan rejecting the claim that calling the violence a misunderstanding should make him forgive his attackers.

  • Zhang Qingyuan approached the Eight Ultimates and Jiang Muye after their fight was interrupted, angered that they had blamed him and Zhang Junbao.
  • Yue Chongluan attacked Zhang Qingyuan and died from a single sword strike.
  • The other Ultimates rushed Zhang Qingyuan, who killed four more with his palm, finger, and sword techniques.
  • Jiang Muye recognized Zhang Qingyuan and Zhang Junbao as the Twin Ultimates of the Daoist School from Taiqing Palace, prompting onlookers to accuse them of killing men of justice.
  • Zhang Junbao rebuked the onlookers for expecting good people to accept bullying, and Zhang Qingyuan killed the remaining three Ultimates when Han Jingqiong called the fight a misunderstanding.
Arc 2 of 2
Arc 2 of 2