[1] The Chinese title of the novel, Xiao Ao Jiang Hu, literally means to live a carefree life in a mundane world of strife.

The novel's protagonist is Yue Buqun's most senior disciple, Linghu Chong, an orphaned, happy-go-lucky but honourable swordsman who has a penchant for alcoholic drinks.

In the meantime, Liu Zhengfeng of the (South) Mount Heng School announces his decision to leave the jianghu and invites his fellow martial artists to witness his retirement ceremony.

While accompanying his master and Mount Hua School fellows on a trip to Luoyang, Linghu Chong encounters Ren Yingying, a key figure of the Sun Moon Holy Cult, and falls in love with her.

Linghu Chong helps Ren Yingying fend off enemies of the Sun Moon Holy Cult and his injuries worsen over time.

While trapped inside the dungeon, Linghu Chong discovers carvings of Ren Woxing's infamous Cosmic Absorbing Power and learns the skill.

After leaving the assembly, Linghu Chong and Ren Yingying see Lin Pingzhi brutally slaying members of the Qingcheng School to avenge his family, and overhear a conversation between him and Yue Lingshan, who is now his wife.

Linghu Chong also learns that Yue Buqun, his respectable former master, is actually a villainous hypocrite who planned an elaborate scheme against Lin Pingzhi to seize the swordplay manual, hoping to dominate the jianghu with it.

The finale climaxes with the members of the Five Mountains Sword Schools Alliance being trapped in the cave on Mount Hua owing to Yue Buqun's treachery.

After the collapse of the alliance, Ren Woxing plans an attack on the scattered and fragmented "orthodox" schools in order to unite the jianghu under the control of his "evil" Sun Moon Holy Cult.

The Sun Moon Holy Cult (日月神教; Rì Yuè Shén Jiào) is based on Black Woods Cliff (黑木崖; hēi mù yá; in present-day Xibaipo, Hebei).

Dongfang treats his followers cruelly, forcing them to consume poison pills and giving them antidotes to temporarily ease their agony only if they obey him.

[7] Jin Yong also stated in the afterword that after the novel was published, Vietnamese politicians had once used the names of Yue Buqun and Zuo Lengchan as derogatory terms against one another in parliamentary sessions.

[citation needed] A total of 26 volumes of the manhua series by Lee Chi Ching, titled State of Divinity, were published by Ming Ho in Hong Kong and M&C (Gramedia Group) in Indonesia.