Cheng Guang dismissed Cheng Zhihai’s words with indifference in his heart.

If only Cheng Zhihai knew that the reason Elder Deng was able to break through was because of him, Cheng Guang wondered how he would feel about it.

After some idle chatter, Cheng Zhihai brought up the main topic of their conversation. He looked at Cheng Guang with an affectionate expression.

“Guanger, the martial arts trial between Great Zhou and Great Wei is about to start. I have arranged for you to undertake the necessary trial mission to join the Bureau of the Lamp. You are to collect the names and cultivation realms of those from Great Wei who are participating in the trial.”

“You don’t need to worry too much, Guanger. Just go through the motions. Your father has already collected all the information. During the time of the trial, you should just loiter nearby, take a look around, put on an act, and afterward directly submit the task to the Bureau of the Lamp.”

As he spoke, Cheng Zhihai handed over a thick stack of paper filled with written information to Cheng Guang.

Cheng Guang took it and briefly glanced over, his face revealing a strange expression.

Inside, there wasn’t just the appearance, name, and cultivation realm of each student from Great Wei participating in the trial, but also more secretive information like what cultivation techniques they practiced, whether they had ever killed anyone, and how many people they had killed.

If he had to collect all this information on his own, Cheng Guang had no idea how long it would take.

Cheng Zhihai had simply taken care of everything for him.

He even saved him the trouble of going door to door to inquire.

It really was just a simple walk-through.

Cheng Guang responded casually, his mind recalling the system task alert that mentioned those figures in black robes.

He didn’t know how those figures in black robes managed to slip into Great Zhou’s Martial Academy.

To be able to cast a prohibition inside the Martial Academy of Great Zhou, and for none of the Bureau of the Lamp’s people to detect anything out of the ordinary.

Even after the fact, when they tried to track them down, they couldn’t find the slightest trace.

Moreover, the slaughter by the figures in black wasn’t complete; at least, many people had survived.

Perhaps those figures in black didn’t slip into Great Zhou’s Martial Academy from the outside, but were students of the Martial Academy of Great Zhou or Great Wei all along.

Unfortunately, the system task alert didn’t specify how many people survived that massacre.

Otherwise, Cheng Guang would just need to check them off the list one by one right now.

And, Cheng Guang knew that the number of survivors must not be small.

Otherwise, if everyone else is dead and you’re the only survivor, it’s pretty much equivalent to having a target on your back.

With this in mind, Cheng Guang decided to take the information back and thoroughly review it to see if he could find any traces of the figures in black.

Seeing that Cheng Guang seemed preoccupied with something, Cheng Zhihai couldn’t help but speak reassuringly:

“Guanger, the Martial Arts taught by Elder Deng are very difficult. If you can’t learn them in a short time, don’t fret. If necessary, your father can find you other simpler Martial Arts that are also of good quality.”

“Our Cheng Family’s Blood Sea Crazy Sword is too violent, too strenuous and exhausting, and doesn’t suit you.”

“Moreover, your grandfather suspects that this Martial Art might limit one’s fertility. Otherwise, how could our Cheng Family have only a single heir for three generations? To ensure you can extend the Cheng Family’s lineage, your grandfather categorically forbade me from teaching you the Blood Sea Crazy Sword.”

“Otherwise, under my careful instruction, your Martial Art comprehension would progress rapidly.”

Cheng Zhihai spoke with a tinge of regret.

The corners of Cheng Guang’s mouth twitched slightly as he said, “Father, I’ve learned it.”

“It’s okay if you haven’t learned it, no matter…” Cheng Zhihai continued to comfort him.

Cheng Guang, resigned, repeated himself.

“I’ve learned it.”

Upon hearing this, Cheng Zhihai’s expression froze awkwardly, blinking in disbelief, as if his thoughts had come to a halt.

“Truly learned it?”

Cheng Guang nodded.

Cheng Zhihai’s face stiffened with surprise, and after a moment, his authoritative eyes revealed immense joy.

“Among all the Martial Arts in this world, Elder Deng’s Heavenly Gang Star Fight is the hardest to grasp. My son, having learned Heavenly Gang Star Fight, you’re virtually one step into the Realm of Heavenly Humans!”

“Guanger, you possess the makings of a Sky-Man!”

At this moment, the composure of Cheng Zhihai as a senior figure vanished completely, his face brimming with delight, and he seemed somewhat at a loss, not knowing how to express his current emotions.

Listening to Cheng Zhihai’s praise, Cheng Guang felt his face burn with embarrassment, and chills ran down his spine.

He became uneasy.

If Cheng Zhihai continued praising him, he feared he might blurt out an entire one-bedroom apartment.

Accordingly, he made a quick exit.

By the time he returned to Duke Zhen’s Mansion, it was already past noon.

The weather was still a bit muggy despite the dew of early autumn.

Qing Luan wore a green floral dress, her hair styled like clouds and mist, and her fair, delicate face glowed in the evening’s rosy light.

The jade hairpin she purchased the day before was now adorningly placed in her hair.

Although it wasn’t expensive, it looked unexpectedly lovely on Qing Luan.

Qing Luan seemed to love the hairpin as well, occasionally playing with it using her hands.

Upon noticing Cheng Guang’s return to the mansion, she rose in surprise and approached him excitedly.

“Princely Heir, what did the Family Head say?” she asked curiously.

Cheng Guang walked over and sat down in the pavilion.

Bai Shuxuan, akin to a black cat, gracefully approached and rested her jade face by Cheng Guang’s hand, which only needed to be lifted to caress her lips or hair.

Cheng Guang raised his hand and patted Bai Shuxuan’s head as if he were petting a cat.

While doing so, he placed the papers he got from Cheng Zhihai on the table.

“I’m to join the Bureau of the Lamp, but first, I must go through the motions.”