“Ding Daoxiao of the Ding Clan in Azure Sun County,” Qiao Zhi replied.

“Tell me about this Ding Clan,” Chu Qiguang said. “Are they a powerful clan?”

“As you know, the Spirit Province is very close to the northern military base. Ever since the empire was first founded, the province has had to constantly battle with the northern fiends, and as a result, a strong martial arts culture developed over time,” Qiao Zhi explained. “On top of that, Azure Sun County is a very auspicious place, and it’s always been able to produce at least one wujuren during each edition of the triennial martial examination.

“As a result, many powerful clans have appeared in Azure Sun County over the years, and together, they’re quite a force to be reckoned with. They have some influence in the imperial court and form an extremely complex and tight-knit network. The Ding Clan is one of those clans, and the current clan leader, Ding Zhize, is a wujinshi who went on to become the left-hand minister of the Ministry of War.

“After his retirement, he returned to Azure Sun County, where he remains a highly respected figure, and Ding Daoxiao is his eldest grandson.”

Chu Qiguang’s brows furrowed slightly upon hearing this. The left-hand minister of the Great Han Empire’s Ministry of War was a third-rank official, responsible for overseeing the allocation of rations to all military branches, the mobilization of troops, and all personnel changes in the military. It was a role that came with immense power, and even in retirement, he was bound to have many powerful connections.

Given Zhou Ergou’s lowly status, it would take at least twenty years before he could even think about revenge. However, if he didn’t exact his vengeance, then his cultivation progress would be hindered.

“The Ding Clan is a very powerful force in Azure Sun County, so just be patient for now,” Qiao Zhi advised. “Once you reach the Dao Comprehension state, you’ll be able to crush them with ease.”

“No,” Chu Qiguang objected with a shake of his head. “Ding Daoxiao must die.”

Because he’s gotten in my way.

Ergou’s memories, Qiao Zhi’s teachings, Wang Cailiang’s anecdotes... Information from all sources was rapidly being pieced together in his mind, and a feasible plan gradually began to take shape.

“I’m dealing with Ding Daoxiao, not Ding Zhize, so revenge won't be impossible if I play my cards right,” Chu Qiguang mused. “Tell me more about the Ding Clan, and about Ding Daoxiao in particular. How did he encounter my father and brother? What scripture did he steal? What’s his personality like? What level of aptitude for cultivation does he have? Most importantly, what does he amount to in the future?”

Qiao Zhi could tell that Chu Qiguang’s mind was already made up, so he told him everything that he could.

“While hunting in the mountains, Ding Daoxiao encountered a migrating Chongming Bird. During the ensuing battle, he broke his leg and became separated from his subordinates. He was in great danger when your father and brother happened to come across him. The weather was extremely cold at the time, and there was a constant threat of wild beasts prowling nearby.

“In order to save Ding Daoxiao, your father and brother carried him to a set of ruins close to where the scripture was being kept for shelter. Your father and brother did their best to hide the scripture, but Ding Daoxiao still found out. He pretended to be oblivious and patiently bided his time while recovering from his injuries.

“Once he was almost fully recovered, he killed your father and brother in a sneak attack and took the Vajra Monastery’s scripture. The scripture is called the Sumeru King Scripture, and it’s one of the twenty-five orthodox arts, one that falls under martial arts. Ding Daoxiao’s aptitude for martial arts was quite exceptional to begin with, and thanks to the Sumeru King Scripture and the support he received from the Ding Clan’s immense wealth, he was able to progress rapidly and quickly reached the fourth state.

“After he became a wujuren, he offered up the Sumeru King Scripture to the Demon Vanquishing Department, which allowed him to join the department. He also managed to convince the Demon Vanquishing Envoy at the time to become his godfather. After that, he continued his ascension, attaining the Dao Comprehension state and inheriting the role of Demon Vanquishing Envoy from his godfather within a span of twenty years.

“He then went on to become the commander of the Heavenly Guard, becoming one of the emperor’s most trusted subordinates, and for twelve years, he was one of the most powerful figures in the imperial court. In the end, he died while attempting a breakthrough, and he was given the posthumous title of the Earl of Sincere Loyalty, so he went down in the history books in quite a positive light.”

The Heavenly Guard was essentially the imperial guard of the Great Han Empire, and it also served as the empire’s secret service, wielding immense power.

“He was an extremely unscrupulous man, and his most defining trait was his lack of morals,” Qiao Zhi concluded. “He was also highly capable, and under his leadership, the Heavenly Guard was feared by the entire officialdom.”

“So he basically became the head of the secret service. That’s certainly quite an impressive feat,” Chu Qiguang mused with a nod. “Are you familiar with the techniques in the Sumeru King Scripture, Master Qiao?”

“The twenty-five orthodox arts can only be cultivated using their corresponding scriptures, and the techniques within them cannot be passed down verbally,” Qiao Zhi replied with a shake of his head.

Chu Qiguang was rather taken aback to hear this.

“Dao Comprehension arts contain secrets beyond what any language can convey,” Qiao Zhi explained.

Chu Qiguang was disappointed to hear this, so he changed the subject, and said, “In that case, tell me more about the other prominent clans in Azure Sun County.”

“The only other clans in Azure Sun County that can stand on equal footing with the Ding Clan are the Wu Clan and the Hao Clan...” Qiao Zhi began.

***

The next morning, Chen Gang arrived outside Chu Qiguang’s house bright and early to go to the county town with him.

Not long after, Wang Cailiang also arrived with four servants.

Chu Qiguang bade farewell to Ergou’s mother and sister, then set off for the county town with Chen Gang, Qiao Zhi, and Wang Cailiang.

“Looks like you’re really fond of that cat, Brother Zhou,” Wang Cailiang remarked. “I didn’t think you’d bring it with you to the county.”

Oh, he’s fond of that thing, alright! He licks it every day! Chen Gang thought.

“I’ve been raising this cat for a very long time, so I’ve become attached to it,” Chu Qiguang explained with a smile. He then revealed his name change to Wang Cailiang and asked him to keep it a secret.

The Wang Clan was very familiar with things like creating fake households. As a matter of fact, quite a few plots of land owned by their clan were registered under fake households for tax evasion purposes.

As such, Wang Cailiang saw nothing wrong with this, and he strongly approved Chu Qiguang’s new name. After all, Zhou Ergou was a downright embarrassing name. If Chu Qiguang continued using that name at Wise Hero Academy, then Wang Cailiang would seriously have to consider pretending not to know him.

In fact, he had already been thinking about advising Zhou Ergou to change his name, but the latter was one step ahead.

“Don’t worry, Brother Zhou... I mean, Brother Chu. The county office is very lax in its supervision of household registers, so you can use your new name without any concerns,” Wang Cailiang reassured.

At the same time, he was struck by a rather strange feeling.

Why does that name sound so familiar? Hold on a second... Chu Qiguang? Our clan has a plot of land registered under Chu Qiguang’s household!