Su Guang

Biodata

Background / History

Su Guang served the Feng Family for eight years and was the Third Young Master's personal guard from before the young master reached adulthood. He regarded the young master as kind and believed his own life should have been spent in service to him. After the Third Young Master's death, Su Guang was imprisoned and ultimately expelled from the Feng Family. Though he mourned his former master, he also felt relief at surviving the ordeal. 32 33

Following his release from the Feng Mansion, Su Guang joined Chen Ye and Zuo Dongxi in an alliance based on mutual survival. At their first gathering, he supplied Chen Ye with information on the Cui Family's recruitment requirements, beginning his role as the group's most effective connection to aristocratic circles. 33 35

When Chen Ye uncovered the Liu Family's scheme against Cui Xijun, Su Guang identified Mandala Flower Poison as a means of disabling Dragon Elephant martial artists. Using old contacts in the medicinal trade and Third Madam Zhou's jade pendant as proof of Feng Family backing, he successfully obtained the poison and its Black Fat Insect Powder trigger. 37 38

Su Guang participated in the group's operations against the Cui convoy and the Green Wolf Gang, helping transport loot, erase traces, and provide outside support while Chen Ye eliminated the gang members. 41 56 57

He remained an essential source of intelligence afterward. He located Gao Yunheng's posting under the Xie Family, warned Chen Ye that Gao was preparing to enter the Dragon Elephant realm, and investigated the historic ties between the Lu and Feng Families. His inquiry produced detailed records on the Lu Family, a genealogy, and evidence concerning Lu Family Second Master Clear Mind. 51 79 91 94

Su Guang's acquisition of Lu Cong's discarded calligraphy drafts was traced back to him. At Clear Mind's order, Lu Cong sent Black Tiger Gang assassins after Su Guang. He survived the attack, identified its instigator, and warned Chen Ye, who killed Lu Cong. Su Guang then accompanied Chen Ye to Xiangguo Temple to investigate Clear Mind. 95 106 107 108

Su Guang initially declined Chen Ye's invitation to join the campaign in Danfeng Prefecture because his mother was seriously ill. Mother Su, believing that caring for her was preventing him from pursuing military merit and restoring the declining Su Family's fortunes, took her own life. Devastated by her death, Su Guang accepted Chen Ye's help with her burial, then departed for Danfeng Prefecture with Chen Ye and San Gouzi. 121 122 123 124

During the campaign, Su Guang became one of Chen Ye's principal aides, carrying out surveillance, managing sensitive assignments, and assisting with the soldiers under Chen Ye's command. When Chen Ye later marched away from Linchuan City, he left Su Guang in charge of its affairs and defenses. Su Guang refused an unauthorized Xie Family takeover and was tortured on Xie Yunce's orders. Chen Ye rescued him and confronted Xie Yunce in retaliation. 135 137 143 177 179 196 220 221 222

After recovering, Su Guang escorted wounded comrades and Gao Yunheng's coffin back to the Capital City. He reunited with Chen Ye's veterans at Chen Mansion, warned Chen Ye of a Xie Family plot conveyed through Zuo Dongxi, and later joined Chen Ye's entourage traveling to Qinghe Prefecture. 230 231 232 236 237

Personality

Su Guang is reserved and restrained, particularly after losing his place in the Feng Family. At the first banquet after his expulsion, he drank silently before admitting that he did not know what to do with his future. 33

He is deeply loyal once he accepts someone as an ally. He repeatedly follows Chen Ye into dangerous situations without demanding explanations, including operations that require him to act against people he once knew. 56 79 88 91

Su Guang is also filial toward his frail mother. He kept his expulsion from the Feng Family hidden from her, continued to reassure her about his work, and attended carefully to her household needs. Her death left him grief-stricken; after returning from Danfeng Prefecture, he visited the grave of both parents and told them of his progress. 56 57 121 122 231

His experience with Chen Ye has made him more decisive and formidable. He is willing to eliminate potential witnesses, confront those misusing Chen Ye's name, and protect his commander even when an attack appears imminent. 136 143 231 236

Abilities & Skills

Martial Cultivation

Su Guang was a Mortal Shedding martial artist who had completed three Mortal Sheddings when he joined Chen Ye. At the time, he considered this his limit and believed any future breakthrough toward Dragon Elephant depended on continued nourishment, effort, and fate. With better resources and sustained training, he subsequently completed a fourth and then a fifth Mortal Shedding. 34 106 231

• Possessed the physical ability expected of a third-stage Mortal Shedding martial artist when first introduced to Chen Ye's circle. 34
• Understands the general effects of the first three Mortal Sheddings: strength enhancement, restored flesh vitality, and heightened senses. 34
• Was urged by Chen Ye to acquire Tendon-Changing Bone-Forging Decoction and Golden Soup Jade Liquid in preparation for a fourth Mortal Shedding. 57
• Completed his fourth Mortal Shedding after several months of diligent training while following Chen Ye. Despite a sword wound deep enough to expose bone, he defeated three assassins sent against him. 106 107
• Received Chen Ye's written Peigui Dao Art manual and personal instruction, quickly grasping its foundational stance and breathing methods. 185
• Completed his fifth Mortal Shedding with the aid of medicinal pills supplied by Chen Ye. 231

Intelligence Gathering

Su Guang's experience among noble households gives him access to information that Zuo Dongxi's underworld contacts cannot easily obtain. 51

• Learned that Cui Family retainers needed scholar status in addition to Mortal Shedding cultivation. 35
• Identified Liu Zhao's new Dragon Elephant bodyguards and inferred that Cui Xijun would likely be sent in the Liu Family's reinforced carriage. 36
• Located Gao Yunheng after his recruitment by the Xie Family and later learned of his pending Dragon Elephant breakthrough. 51 79
• Compiled Lu Family records, including a hand-drawn genealogy and information connecting Clear Mind to the Feng Family. 94
• Obtained Lu Cong's discarded calligraphy drafts for Chen Ye's forgery plan. 95
• Monitored a Gao Family confidant in Heliang City and helped locate him for Chen Ye's surveillance operation. 137
• Gathered complaints from Chen Ye's soldiers about food, clothing, and letters home; he also noticed the unusual radiance that led Chen Ye to examine San Gouzi's constitution. 135

Poison Procurement

Su Guang has connections in the medicinal trade from his years accompanying the Feng Family's Third Young Master. 37

• Identified Mandala Flower Poison, which dissolves in water and can incapacitate a Dragon Elephant martial artist when activated by Black Fat Insect Powder. 37
• Obtained the poison by leveraging his former Feng Family identity and the Zhou jade pendant. 37 38
• Delivered the Black Fat Insect Powder in a sachet; its rouge-like scent triggers the poison's effect. 38
• Sought information through Medicine Gang contacts about a tracking substance for Chen Ye, though the inquiry yielded no result. 117

Horsemanship

Su Guang is skilled enough to instruct Chen Ye in riding and accompanies him on practice rides outside the Capital City. 52 57

Power Progression

Equipment / Items

• Long saber — Usually wrapped in old cloth when not in use. 56 88
• Concealed short blade — Kept at his waist and used during the alley ambush; he also carried one while visiting Xiangguo Temple. 106 110
• Ancestral sword — A three-foot sword preserved by Mother Su and placed beside her final letter; Su Guang later carries an ancient sword. 122 231
• Mandala Flower Poison and Black Fat Insect Powder — Procured for Chen Ye's plan against the Cui convoy attackers. 37 38
• Peigui Dao Art manual — A written copy given to him and San Gouzi by Chen Ye for their cultivation. 185
• Feng Family-associated knowledge and contacts — His former service provides access to guards, medicinal traders, and aristocratic information networks. 35 37 51

Relationships

• Chen Ye — Ally, commander, and benefactor. Su Guang considers himself indebted to Chen Ye for surviving the Feng Family dungeon and serves as his trusted investigator and accomplice. Chen Ye later helps bury Su Guang's mother, trains him, entrusts him with Linchuan's defenses, and confronts Xie Yunce over his torture. 32 37 79 91 123 185 196 220 222
• Zuo Dongxi — Fellow survivor of the Feng Family incident and member of Chen Ye's original inner circle; they cooperate on intelligence, ambushes, and cleanup operations. Their paths later diverge, but Zuo warns Su Guang when the Xie Family tries to use him against Chen Ye. 33 41 89 231 232
• Feng Family Third Young Master — Former master. Su Guang served him for eight years and remained emotionally affected by his death. 33
• Mother Su — His frail mother, with whom he lived in a small west-city house. Su Guang concealed his expulsion from the Feng Family to avoid worrying her. She later took her own life in the belief that her care was holding him back, leaving him a letter urging him to pursue his future. 56 57 121 122
• San Gouzi — A young martial trainee who lived at the Su home, accompanied Su Guang and Chen Ye to Danfeng Prefecture, and later studied the Peigui Dao Art alongside Su Guang. 117 124 185
• Cui Family guards — Former acquaintances who provide Su Guang with information about Cui Family recruitment. 35
• Lu Cong and Master Clear Mind — Figures implicated by Su Guang's Lu Family investigation. Clear Mind ordered Lu Cong to eliminate him after the forged-letter plan was traced to Su Guang. 94 106 107

Story Role / Major Arcs

Feng Family Fallout

After the Third Young Master's death and the Feng Family dungeon incident, Su Guang is expelled from the estate alongside Zuo Dongxi. He joins Chen Ye's circle and begins rebuilding his purpose outside noble service. 32 33

Cui Convoy Counter-Ambush

Su Guang provides the poison crucial to Chen Ye's plan, helps prepare the operation, and assists in removing valuables and traces after the ambush. 37 38 41 44

Green Wolf Gang Purge

When the Green Wolf Gang learns information that could expose the group's involvement with the Cui convoy, Su Guang immediately agrees to accompany Chen Ye in destroying the gang. He retrieves his saber and helps with the operation. 56 57

Martial Examination Support

Su Guang supports Chen Ye before and after the Capital City Martial Examination. He brings Chen Ye a horse for the journey to the Academy and promises to become his guard once Chen Ye gains scholar status. 68 76

Lu Family Investigation

At Chen Ye's request, Su Guang investigates the Lu Family's historical connection to the Feng Family. His detailed records and handwriting samples become central to Chen Ye's plan against Lu Cong and the Feng Family. After the scheme is traced to him, he survives an assassination attempt ordered through Lu Cong, warns Chen Ye, and assists his visit to Clear Mind at Xiangguo Temple. 91 94 95 106 107 108

Mother Su's Death and the Danfeng Campaign

Su Guang initially stays in the Capital City to care for his ill mother rather than join Chen Ye's campaign. Her death and final letter leave him devastated but release him from that obligation. After Chen Ye arranges her burial, Su Guang brings San Gouzi and accompanies him to Danfeng Prefecture. There he serves as a dependable aide in intelligence work, covert operations, and the management of Chen Ye's growing force. 121 122 123 124 135 137 143

Linchuan City Command

Su Guang helps recover and safeguard wealth seized during the campaign and receives personal instruction in Chen Ye's Peigui Dao Art. Chen Ye later leaves him responsible for Linchuan City while the army marches out. Refusing to hand its defenses to Xie Yunce without authorization, Su Guang is tortured and displayed outside the County Yamen. Chen Ye rescues him and forces a confrontation with Xie Yunce; Su Guang subsequently recuperates. 177 179 185 196 220 221 222

Return to the Capital and Qinghe

Su Guang escorts injured soldiers and Gao Yunheng's coffin to the Capital City, where he learns of Chen Ye's elevation to Duke of Zhenyuan. He visits his parents' grave, intervenes when men misuse Chen Ye's name, and passes on Zuo Dongxi's warning about a Xie Family scheme. He later accompanies Chen Ye toward Qinghe Prefecture, helps handle the aftermath of a Xie Family ambush, and presents himself at the Gao Family as the General Pacifying the North's personal guard. 230 231 232 236 237

Notable Quotes

“I spent eight years with the Feng Family. I was by the Third Young Master's side even before he reached adulthood. He was kind to me, and my life should have been his.” 33

“Fine, if you want me to kill, I will kill.” 79

“Your son is following the duke now, and life is much better than before. The duke has treated me well and given me plenty of medicinal pills to nourish me. I've completed five Mortal Sheddings now.” 231