The Zhou Family

"Human Immortal Volume?"

Wu Ming's heart stirred. He immediately flipped back and found another entry: "<Yellow Court Yin Talisman Scripture—Earth Immortal Volume>, the method of Earth Immortals, priced at two thousand Heavenly Merits! And it's still out of stock!"

The Main God Hall was in a lull, and nine out of ten items on the Heavenly Merit Ranking were out of stock. Wu Ming had gotten used to it.

"Knowing the Main God Hall's habits, anything that's out of stock must be especially formidable... It looks like Earth Immortals are extraordinary, lofty figures even in the Great Zhou World..."

In truth, Wu Ming didn't know much about Daoist realms yet. Still, he had heard one title mentioned in the Human Immortal Volume: True Person!

Daoists of this rank were said to possess unfathomably profound magic power. They appeared only in myths and legends, where they slew demons, vanquished evil, and stabilized the fate of the world.

They were exceedingly rare even in commanderies and counties, serving as honored guests to Vassal Lords and Military Governors. Some could even receive titles from the imperial court!

In Wu Ming's eyes, such figures were unquestionably great powers, and yet they were still only Human Immortals.

"Going by the YIn Talisman Scripture's description, these mage, True Person, and Celestial Master ranks seem to be minor stages within the greater Human Immortal realm!"

Wu Ming rubbed his chin. "Qing Ping can't even manage a complete method for becoming a mage. No wonder he got himself killed..."

He examined it closely and learned that Human Immortal was an enormous realm in Daoist cultivation. Basically, once someone reached the peak of the Human Immortal realm—the Celestial Master stage—they could lord it over the mortal world, do what ordinary people could not, and regard worldly wealth and status as nothing.

Before becoming a mage, there were also two stages: Ordained Daoist and Refining Master.

According to Wu Ming's understanding, as well as Feng Han's experience, that Daoist Qing Ping had only just managed to reach the rank of Ordained Daoist. He could barely be called a Daoist, or perhaps a novice who had only just crossed the threshold. He hadn't even begun Internal Cultivation when he ran into Wu Ming and got himself killed.

Still, simply making it through the threshold was already an impressive feat.

After all, the Daoist arts were difficult to master. People like Ma Lao San and Zheng Qian had only learned one or two minor spells. They couldn't even be considered proper Daoists—just third-rate rabble.

"This Silver Seal Jade Book has only one page, and most of it is missing. The introductory part and the Refining Master stage are all right, but there are gaps in the mage stage. It'll take one hundred and fifty Great Merits to fill them in..."

Wu Ming rubbed his chin. "But... the quality is quite high. It costs more than the Daoist texts I was originally planning to cultivate..."

In the Main God Hall, the ranks of the various Daoist arts weren't displayed, but their prices gave a rough indication.

What was more, the Yellow Court Yin Talisman Scripture actually had further volumes, with distinctions between Human Immortals and Earth Immortals. Wu Ming had never even heard of such things... In his predecessor's limited experience, a True Person was already an incredibly distinguished figure.

Taken together, these factors began to tip the scales in Wu Ming's mind.

"I'll give it one last try. If there's still no word from Sister Wu Qing, and the Daoist Academy won't take me in, I'll cultivate on my own and figure things out as I go!"

He left the Yellow Court Yin Talisman Scripture and the Great Yin Corpse Refining Method in the Main God Space, then came back out. He turned up the oil lamp and eagerly began reading Daoist Qing Ping's notes.

Though the man had come from humble beginnings, he'd been blessed with unusual opportunities and had seen a great deal. He'd jotted down all sorts of things, giving Wu Ming a wealth of new knowledge.

Under the cold moonlight, night fell before he knew it.

"This oil lamp... is still too hard on the eyes!"

Wu Ming stretched and rubbed his eyes. The oil lamp in his room was made with high-quality oil, apparently rendered from whale blubber. When lit, it even gave off a faint fragrance. But he had seen the ocean; a pond could not satisfy him. Compared with the world he'd known in his previous life, the difference was plain.

In ancient times, scholars had "read through the ages by lamplight and spent their lives illuminating the page with prose." Unfortunately, who knew how many poor souls had ruined their eyesight in the process?

"The Wu family is only moderately well-off, so this is as good as it gets... I've heard that true County Magnate families burn enormous beef-tallow candles every night, dozens of them, each as thick as an arm. They cost a fortune, but light up an entire residence as bright as day. And the families above them supposedly use Daoist Arts for illumination. I can't even imagine how extravagant that must be..."

Wu Ming sighed and prepared to turn in for the night.

After all, though his body was strong enough not to be troubled by a little strain, he still had to take care of himself.

"Are you still awake, Young Master?"

The maid in the adjoining room knocked softly on the door. "Master Feng Han has come to see you!"

"Hmm? Show him in!"

Wu Ming called out. Feng Han strode inside, and Wu Ming's eyes lit up. "Did that Steward Yu confess?"

"Yes. Xue Lao Si from the stables used to be a craftsman for the Government Office. His family had passed the trade down for several generations, but he got into trouble and lost his position. I brought him in and laid out the tools of his old trade. Steward Yu gave everything up before he'd even endured two rounds!"

Feng Han's expression was somewhat grim.

"Was it the Zhou family in the county?"

Wu Ming smiled.

Daoist Qing Ping had been the Zhou family's retainer; it was even recorded in his notes.

Compared with the Wu family, which was still something of a nouveau riche, the Zhou family was the true local power. They owned fifty qing of land—under the Zhou system, one qing was a hundred mu, which meant they possessed five thousand mu. With servants by the hundred and over a thousand clan members, they were a genuine local stronghold!

What was more, nearly every generation produced someone with Official Status at Principal Eighth Rank. Any extraordinary person skilled at reading the signs in the air would see their fortune and say, "Red qi coils around them, their blessings stretch far and wide—a family of illustrious county standing indeed!"

The Wu family could just barely be counted among the local powers, but they were at the very bottom. Compared with a great clan like the Zhou family, they were still several generations of accumulation behind.

"If that were all, it would be one thing..."

Feng Han gave a bitter smile. "The trouble is, this was aimed at the Eldest Miss. The purpose was the Dragon Gate Gathering! And it seems a County Magnate family was involved behind the scenes!"

"The Dragon Gate Gathering? A County Magnate?"

Wu Ming straightened up as well.

The great families of this world could generally be divided into local gentry, county families, and County Magnates. Above them were the illustrious clans whose names resounded throughout the realm.

The Wu family was roughly at the peak of the local gentry, or perhaps at the bottom of the county families. The Zhou family, meanwhile, stood among the foremost county households. But whichever one they were, they were still at least a full rank below the County Magnates!

To put it simply, even a powerful commandery governor of Principal Fifth Rank had to take the influence of a County Magnate family seriously. A governor would visit them upon taking office; without their support, governing would be difficult, and they might even push him out altogether.

"Good grief..."

Wu Ming rose and opened the window.

The night was cold, the moon hidden behind dark clouds. The heavy sky pressed down oppressively, as though a storm might break at any moment.

"The rain comes, and the wind fills the tower... Master Feng!"

In the darkness, Feng Han watched Wu Ming receive the sudden news without so much as a ripple. He paced a few steps, and even seemed to carry himself with the bearing of a dragon striding and a tiger stalking. Feng Han couldn't help but admire him.

Martial arts and Daoist Arts could be cultivated later, but this innate breadth of spirit could not be learned.

At first, when he heard the Wu family was facing such a disaster, he'd planned to deliver the news, fulfill his duty, and then take his leave with a bow of thanks, escaping the mire.

But now, seeing Wu Ming like this—and knowing that Wu Qing was also a seed of the Daoist Academy, with a bright future ahead—his resolve shifted. He bowed and asked, "What are your orders, Young Master?"

"Thank you for telling me the truth!"

Wu Ming waved a hand. "This matter is no fault of yours, sir. I can't bear to drag you into it. I've prepared three hundred taels for your travel expenses. You're free to leave!"

"What kind of thing is that to say?"

Though he had originally considered leaving, Feng Han's face changed in an instant as he now thought of staking everything on the Wu family. "A loyal subject has never served two masters. I, Feng Han, may be a mere commoner, but I'm no villain who would run away when his master's family is in trouble!"

"I was wrong. Please forgive me, Master Feng!"

Seeing how resolute Feng Han was, Wu Ming felt a little surprised. But there was no need to say so now. He rose with a moved expression and bowed deeply. "I'll never forget your loyalty, sir!"

They exchanged smiles, and their bond deepened.

"This talk of County Magnates is still nothing more than rumor. There's no proof... Even if it's true, my Wu family is a leading household in the county, and Sister Wu Qing is a member of the Daoist Academy. Without evidence, even a County Magnate or the Commandery Governor can't simply make a move against us!"

Since they'd decided to face this together, Wu Ming first offered Feng Han a little reassurance.

Then he sneered. "Even if it is true, the worst that can happen is that we abandon our estate... So what if they're a County Magnate family? Could their influence really reach beyond the commandery, much less stretch into another province?... Before we leave, they'll learn what it means to reap what they sow!"

Feng Han nodded. In this world, where extraordinary power existed and might rested in one's own hands, someone like Wu Qing could take Wu Ming anywhere in the realm and make a place for themselves.

Of course, a great family's roots lay in its land. Wu Qing could take Wu Ming elsewhere and ensure they had food and shelter, but whether they could rebuild this estate was another matter.

Seeing that Feng Han now had some idea of the worst-case scenario, Wu Ming's expression softened. "Those are only the worst possibilities... We're just preparing for anything. We still need to investigate what's happening in the commandery. But this Zhou family is utterly reprehensible!"

The cold laughter carried a murderous edge that made Feng Han shiver.

"There are a few things I'll have to trouble you with, Master Feng!"

"Just give the order, Young Master!"

Wu Ming paced slowly around the hall. "I've heard of the Zhou family for a long time, but I don't know much about them... I'll have to ask you to look into their connections in the commandery and the county, how much force they can bring to bear, and why they're making trouble for the Wu family..."

After seeing Feng Han out, Wu Ming told the maid, "Go call Steward Wu over!"

Whatever Feng Han did, they were ultimately not family. It wasn't that Wu Ming distrusted him, but it was still wise to take necessary precautions.

Besides, some things could only be trusted to one's own people.

"Young Master, you called for me?"

It wasn't long before Steward Wu came in with a fawning smile and a humble expression.

But Wu Ming thought the man was remarkably lucky.

Whether it was the matter with Lin Qi last time or this trap set by Daoist Qing Ping, he'd come through unscathed. If nothing else, he certainly had fortune on his side.

"Mm... Take a letter to the Daoist Academy in the county and ask my sister to come home for a visit! Also..."

Wu Ming hesitated. "Also, gather the Wu family's distant relatives, the ones scattered throughout the surrounding villages. I have something to announce to them!"