Scripture of Days Past

It's a good thing I'm staying in the Wu Manor. There are only a handful of fourth- and fifth-state martial artists here, and all of them are known to everyone. To avoid detection, the Ding Clan could only send a third-state martial artist.

He instructed the servants to drag the body away, then ordered the maidservants to clean the floor. Even though a man had just died here, Chu Qiguang didn't bother changing rooms and simply continued meditating.

The next day, Wu Wei had the assassin buried. He was completely unaware that the assassin had been a third-state martial artist. Of course, he also had no idea that Chu Qiguang had advanced from the second to the third state in around a half a month, an unheard-of rate of progress.

In order to reach the fourth state, Chu Qiguang would have to begin refining the power of his qi and blood to break through the physical limits of the human body.

According to Qiao Zhi, a fourth-state martial artist could condense their qi and blood into a mercury-like form. Once they unleashed their full power, their body would radiate intense heat like a miniature sun. This could both nurture the body and grant them additional strength.

Chu Qiguang interpreted this to mean that fourth-state martial artists could transport more nutrients through their blood and even transform it into something similar to non-Newtonian fluid. This granted them the ability to move at high speeds while also making their bodies tougher and more resistant to attacks.

In order to get there fast, he would still have to spend a large amount of money on pills.

The next morning, Chu Qiguang was standing at his desk, practicing calligraphy while chatting with Qiao Zhi.

"I can now get my hands on Qi Enhancement Pills to enhance my qi and blood, but eighty taels of silver a pill is way too expensive!" Chu Qiguang complained.

A few days earlier, Chu Qiguang had gone to Chen Zhu to purchase medicine, Through him, he was able to purchase Qi Enhancement Pills, which Daoist Master Law Origin had been unable to procure.

"It's only expensive because you're eating so many of them!" Qiao Zhi grumbled.

Generally speaking, no more than two Qi Enhancement Pills should be taken in a day. Otherwise, the accumulation of pill poison would damage the internal organs and do more harm than good.

Chu Qiguang had spent almost all his money on four Qi Enhancement Pills, leaving only a hundred taels of silver for a rainy day. Then, he had swallowed all four pills on the same day without suffering any adverse effects.

"Qi Enhancement Pills can directly enhance your qi and blood. This is a slow and arduous process for other third-state martial artists, yet you're able to cheat the process entirely by taking pills," Qiao Zhi said, his voice carrying more than a hint of envy.

"What do you mean cheat?" Chu Qiguang protested. "Earning money to buy pills isn't any easier than cultivating."

Right at that moment, a knock sounded on the door, followed by Hao Xiangtong announcing her presence.

This woman is a huge pain in the backside! Chu Qiguang thought. All she does is nag me to tell her stories all day long! I should start charging her money from now on!

As soon as Hao Xiangtong entered the room, she noticed Chu Qiguang's calligraphy, and asked disdainfully, "Why is your handwriting so ugly?"

Chu Qiguang was a little embarrassed, and he explained, "I never really had the chance to practice when I was growing up. Can you teach me, Young Mistress Hao?"

"Sure, but in return, you have to come and tell me stories every day," Hao Xiangtong declared with a smug grin.

A hesitant look appeared on Chu Qiguang's face, much to Hao Xiangtong's frustration.

"I want to tell you stories every day too, but I'm worried I'll take up too much of your time and hamper your cultivation," Chu Qiguang said.

"I don't have much aptitude for martial arts anyway, so it doesn't really matter whether I cultivate a little more or a little less," Hao Xiangtong sighed.

"If you're not interested in martial arts, then why not try your hand at cultivating Dao arts instead?" Chu Qiguang suggested.

Hao Xiangtong glanced at Chu Qiguang in surprise, and she immediately thought of Wu Zetian's rise to the top through Dao arts.

"Do you think I'll be good at it?" she asked. "The problem is that our clan has no way of obtaining any of the twenty-five orthodox arts, so no matter how long I cultivate Dao arts, it won't do much for me."

Even fifth-state Dao artists only enjoyed innate benefits that didn't translate to any physical enhancements.

"If you can reach the fifth-state in Dao arts, I promise I'll get you an orthodox Dao art," Chu Qiguang said with a smile.

Hao Xiangtong stared blankly at him for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. "You're an idiot! Do you know how precious the twenty-five orthodox arts are?"

"Even if it's a priceless treasure, I'll be sure to get it for you," Chu Qiguang vowed.

Hao Xiangtong managed to maintain a composed expression on the surface, but her heart had begun pounding in her chest.

Why is he saying this? Is he professing his love to me?!

Meanwhile, Chu Qiguang was thinking to himself, Wow, what an ungrateful wench! I just promised to get her one of the orthodox Dao arts, and she's not even reacting at all!

The more Hao Xiangtong thought about it, the more flustered she became, but she continued to feign nonchalance as she averted her gaze and scoffed, "You're always spouting nonsense, just like your stories!"

With that, she turned and left without another word.

As Hao Xiangtong fled in a flustered panic, Qiao Zhi cast a suspicious look at Chu Qiguang. He couldn't help but feel that there was something going on between the two.

"How're you going to find an orthodox Dao art for her?"

"I was only saying that to encourage her to pursue Dao arts," Chu Qiguang scoffed with a roll of his eyes. "Let's go. It's about time."

***

This was the day that everyone had agreed to make a move against the Ding Clan. When Chu Qiguang arrived, he discovered that Wu Wei and Hao Wen were already there. On top of that, Daoist Master Azure Spirit was with them as well.

This was the first time that Chu Qiguang had met Daoist Master Azure Spirit face to face, and he discovered that the latter looked very civilized and refined, a far cry from the fierce warrior that had battled Qiao Zhi..

"Abbot Chen Zhu sent me to assist you, Young Master Chu, so I'll be following your lead," Daoist Master Azure Spirit said.

"You're far too modest, Daoist Master Azure Spirit," Chu Qiguang replied.

The two of them exchanged some casual conversation before Daoist Master Azure Spirit suddenly asked, "You like cats, Young Master Chu?"

"Why do you ask that?" Chu Qiguang asked as he raised an eyebrow.

Daoist Master Azure Spirit picked up a strand of orange fur from Chu Qiguang's shoulder, then asked, "This is cat fur, correct?"

"Indeed, it is. What a sharp eye you have, Daoist Master Azure Spirit," Chu Qiguang praised.

"You should know that some cat and dog fiends often disguise themselves as ordinary animals, so you should be careful, Young Master Chu," Daoist Master Azure Spirit cautioned with a faint smile.

Chu Qiguang felt like this was a rather pointed remark, but Daoist Master Azure Spirit didn't speak any further on the topic.

On the way to the Ding Manor, Chu Qiguang told Qiao Zhi about his strange conversation with Daoist Master Azure Spirit.

He's a strange guy, that’s for sure, Qiao Zhi mused with a puzzled look. Last time I ran into him, it felt like there was a just and righteous aura about him, but something seems to have changed since then.

Chu Qiguang warned Qiao Zhi to be careful, but when he turned to look for Daoist Master Azure Spirit, the latter had already disappeared into the crowd.

***

Inside the Ding Manor, Li Changqing shook his head in disdain as he scoffed, "Secretary Wu is a brilliant man, yet his son is utterly useless! I hear that they're already planning to surrender and give up their land."

"So what?" Ding Daoxiao harrumphed. "Wu Siqi failed to keep his clansmen in check, allowing them to stir up massive unrest in the county that almost led to an uprising! He should resign immediately to atone for his negligence! Right now, we have Grand Secretary Fei and many other powerful officials on our side, so His Majesty will be sure to think twice about establishing trade relations with the wolf fiends. When has our mighty Great Han Empire ever negotiated with fiends?

"This would be no different from spitting on the graves of all of the brave soldiers who perished in battle against the wolf fiends! If His Majesty insists on going ahead with this, then all the soldiers stationed at the border will lose heart, and our empire will be seen as a pathetic joke! For the role that he's played in supporting such a misguided plan, Wu Siqi should be forced to resign, if not executed!"

You make yourself and those officials sound so righteous and justified, but ultimately, all of you are doing this solely for personal benefit, Li Changqing scoffed inwardly.

However, he made sure to hide his disdain as he said, "We can spare the Wu Clan, but Chu Qiguang has to be captured and delivered to me."

After being freed from the Daoist temple, Li Changqing had learned that Chu Qiguang was the one who had orchestrated everything. He had also been acting as an advisor to the Wu and Hao Clans, so Li Changqing resented him far more than Wu Wei and Hao Wen.

"Rest assured, once we crush the Wu and Hao Clans, I'll personally capture Chu Qiguang and bring him to you, Master Li," Ding Daoxiao promised with a cold smile.

Right at that moment, a servant rushed frantically into the room and reported, "Young Master, I have terrible news! A group of people has surrounded our manor, and they say they're here to capture traitors to the empire!"