Hearing this, Gu Xue let out a gasp. Then, she lowered her voice and said excitedly, "Dingding is so amazing! It hasn’t even been that long, and she’s already about to break through and advance to a Super Body!"

"Hmph, but isn’t Big Brother the amazing one?" Gu Wan’Er lifted her chin, looking at Gu Zheng with adoration. "If Big Brother didn’t have such a sharp eye and see how extraordinary Dingding was, taking her as a disciple, how could she have gotten strong so quickly and be on the verge of a breakthrough?"

Gu Xue, "..."

"Haha, Dingding’s ability to reach for the Super Body level so quickly is mainly due to her own innate talent. I just provided her with a path and some resources," Gu Zheng said with a smile, ruffling the little girl’s hair.

’Gu Wan’Er has really matured and grown more sensible lately.’

"That’s still because you’re amazing, Big Brother!"

Gu Wan’Er insisted, saying with adoration, "Without you, Big Brother, Dingding might have been sold off. And that shameless father of hers definitely wouldn’t be living so comfortably!"

"Hm?"

Gu Zheng sensed something was wrong. "Dingding’s father? What did he do?"

"It’s not that he committed a crime, exactly."

Gu Xue chimed in, explaining, "It’s just that Zhou Zhenyue doesn’t do any honest work. At first, Dad found him a job that was more than enough to support his family, but Zhou Zhenyue didn’t cherish it. After just a few days, he was out wining and dining with others."

"The key thing is, he never has to pay for his eating, drinking, and debauchery. There are always others treating him. That’s because everyone knows Dingding is your disciple, Big Brother—your only disciple."

"A while ago, Dad was enfeoffed as Marquis Qingshi by the imperial court, and even more people started trying to curry favor with Zhou Zhenyue. The ones Dad politely turned away all flocked to Zhou Zhenyue’s side."

"Dad spoke to Zhou Zhenyue several times and even fired him from the family-arranged job. Zhou Zhenyue was always very agreeable to his face, apologizing and making amends. But behind his back, it was the same old story. He spent all day eating, drinking, and making merry, basking in the praise of others. He even..."

"Even what?" Gu Zheng pressed.

Gu Xue’s face flushed red as she said with shame and anger, "He even seduced a married woman! We didn’t know at first. It was only a few days ago, when the woman’s husband came and knelt at our main gate, begging Dad to uphold justice, that we found out about this filthy thing Zhou Zhenyue did behind our backs."

"So how did Dad handle it?" Gu Zheng asked calmly.

"..." Gu Xue opened her mouth but said nothing.

’Hm?’

Gu Zheng’s brows furrowed. "Tell me. How did Dad handle it?"

"Dad said he’d wait for you to come back before dealing with it," Gu Wan’Er blurted out.

"That’s not the whole story," Gu Xue added. "Dad reprimanded Zhou Zhenyue, made him apologize and pay compensation, and forbade him from getting involved with that shameless woman again. Zhou Zhenyue agreed and paid up. But we don’t know if he went back to her afterward."

"Go break one of Zhou Zhenyue’s legs."

Gu Zheng spoke calmly, "And spread the word. Anyone who continues to praise Zhou Zhenyue or curry favor with him will have their legs broken and be driven out of Qingshi County."

"Alright!"

Gu Xue’s eyes lit up. She said excitedly, "I’ll go find someone right now to break that bastard Zhou’s legs! Hmph!"

With that, she turned and ran toward the main gate.

"I’m going too, I’m going too!" Gu Wan’Er raised her hands and chased after her.

Gu Zheng didn’t stop them, letting the little girl go.

’In this day and age, it’s not a bad thing to see some blood early on.’

Gu Sihai hadn’t dealt with Zhou Zhenyue out of consideration for Zhou Dingding.

This was especially true since Zhou Dingding was about to break through to the Super Body level and had astonishing talent.

Gu Zheng also valued Zhou Dingding. If she really did succeed in her breakthrough, Zhou Zhenyue’s status as her father would rise along with her. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Gu Sihai couldn’t decide how to handle the situation.

But in Gu Zheng’s eyes, as long as Zhou Zhenyue wasn’t killed, anything else was acceptable.

Zhou Dingding was still just a Registered Disciple.

’If she were an Official Disciple, would Zhou Zhenyue dare to commit murder?’

Even if he didn’t dare do it under Gu Zheng’s banner.

And yet, was there anyone in Qingshi County who didn’t know that Zhou Dingding was Gu Zheng’s disciple?

’Weren’t all those people fawning over and currying favor with Zhou Zhenyue just clinging to the fantasy of building a connection with Gu Zheng and the Gu Mansion?’

Therefore, whether tangible or intangible, Zhou Zhenyue was borrowing Gu Zheng’s influence!

This kind of situation absolutely could not be tolerated.

Breaking one of his legs first would be a lesson for Zhou Zhenyue.

’If he does it again, then I’ll have both his legs broken!’

...

「That evening.」

Gu Sihai and Gu Pan’Er both returned home.

The family gathered together and had a happy dinner.

After dinner, Gu Zheng briefly mentioned the matter with Zhou Zhenyue.

Gu Sihai nodded, showing he understood. Then, he remarked with a sigh, "The woman from the family Zhou Zhenyue got involved with recently moved to the county seat. I’ve met the husband. He’s a scholar, but his family has a long and learned history. They’re said to be Ancient Texts Inheritors. The old master of the family was an incredible, erudite scholar before the Celestial Change. A true master. One of his disciples once held a Second Grade official position."

"Ancient Texts Inheritor?" Gu Zheng seized on the key point. "That old master, does he know many ancient characters?"

"Well..."

Hearing this, Gu Sihai paused, then mused, "He should know quite a few, I think. Why, Ping’an, do you want to meet him?"

"Yes," Gu Zheng said directly. "If that old master really knows ancient characters, I plan to learn from him."

"Alright!"

Gu Sihai made the decision on the spot. "I’ll go and invite him over at first light tomorrow."

"Be polite when you invite him," Gu Zheng reminded him.

"Don’t worry," Gu Sihai said with a smile. "Setting aside the business with Zhou Zhenyue, I have great respect for truly learned men."

"Other people revere my status as a Marquis, but don’t I know exactly what this title is all about?"

Gu Sihai scoffed. "Marquis Qingshi... it’s all a blatant scheme by the imperial court! A meaningless title meant to tie you, Ping’an, to the Zhong Family’s wagon! It’s like a carrot dangling in front of a donkey, pulling it along without end!"

"If we don’t take it seriously, it’s nothing. Only if we treat it as a big deal will we fall for the court’s trick!"

"..." Gu Zheng blinked, then gave his old man a thumbs-up.

Compared to Zhou Zhenyue, Gu Sihai was undoubtedly very clear-headed.

He could see the essence behind the facade.

Not everyone could see through the superficial benefits and remain level-headed.

As a father, Gu Sihai was more than competent.

...

「The next morning.」

The old master of the Jiang Family—the one whose daughter-in-law had been seduced by Zhou Zhenyue and who came from a long line of scholars—was invited to the Gu Mansion.

The trembling old man kept his head down the entire way, not daring to look left or right.

When he saw Gu Zheng, he immediately fell to his knees.

"Gr... greetings..."

"Please rise, Old Sir." Gu Zheng lifted a hand, releasing a gentle force that buoyed the old master to his feet.

Then, before the old master could wonder what was happening, Gu Zheng got straight to the point. "I’ve heard that you are knowledgeable in ancient characters, Old Sir. Is this true?"

"Y-yes... it’s true." The old master was surprised at first, then he shrank his neck and replied cautiously, "This old one’s family has been recording, organizing, and preserving ancient characters for a recorded history of over three thousand two hundred and forty years."

"Excellent."

Gu Zheng smiled. "To be frank, I invited you here today, Old Sir, because I wish to learn about ancient characters. I wonder if you would be willing to teach me?"

"Of course, it won’t be for free. Food, gold and silver, a house, a job—Old Sir, you may choose any one of these as my tuition fee."

"I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare." The old master quickly shook his head and waved his hands. "The Grand General had Zhou Zhenyue’s leg broken, which has already avenged my Jiang Family. How could this old one dare ask for anything more?"

Before Gu Zheng could speak, he added, "It is this old one’s honor that the Grand General wishes to learn ancient characters!"

"A tuition fee is still necessary."

Gu Zheng smiled. He didn’t ask what the old master wanted, but simply told him to begin and to speak up if he needed anything.

The old master immediately went home first to bring back some ancient books and records.

After returning, he immediately began his instruction.

In just under half a day, Gu Zheng had learned most of the ancient characters.

For example, he hadn’t recognized the character that had previously appeared on the Half-sized Divine Weapon.

Now, he finally knew what it was.

Jue!