Chapter 7

### Chapter 7: The Terrifying Zhao Heng

In the air, two specially made wooden swords clashed with incredible speed, like a gale sweeping away fallen leaves, the "clang, clang" sounds never ceasing. The battle was far more intense than the previous one between Lu Meng and the opponent. Zhao Heng gritted his teeth and fought the middle-aged man with all his might, while Lu Meng watched, holding two meat buns, occasionally shouting encouragement.

Regaining his breath, he waited to see the fun: "Fighting Brother Heng, hmpf!"

The middle-aged man's body moved like a dragon or a snake, darting left and right, sweeping and slashing. After calmly blocking Zhao Heng's over three hundred consecutive, uninterrupted strikes, he finally felt the pain and pressure. At this moment, Zhao Heng's eyes widened like a dragon raising its head, and a tremor gathered again from his dantian.

Zhao Heng's shoulders soon bulged.

The man in white's expression changed slightly. Zhao Heng was a once-in-a-century freak. He had once taught Zhao Heng how to regulate his breathing and use his strength, but never expected him to mysteriously gather such a domineering force. Both he and Lu Meng had witnessed the shocking power Zhao Heng unleashed from his wooden sword.

Eight years ago, a tree was broken!

Six years ago, a half-meter-high stone cracked.

Three years ago, a six-hundred-pound wild boar was sent flying.

A year ago, it took Uncle Feng seven-tenths of his strength to block it, and Lu Meng had looked down on him for half a month, even though Uncle Feng emphasized that playing with knives was just a side hobby and his true prowess lay in his swordsmanship. The sweat on his forehead and the surprise in his eyes were undeniable facts.

Today, it was uncertain if seven-tenths of his strength would be enough.

Zhao Heng's right hand began to tremble, and a powerful force spread through the courtyard. Lu Meng, well aware of the danger, grabbed the two buns and quickly moved away, hiding by the wall and shouting, "Uncle Feng, you're done for! I told you not to act all high and mighty, but you wouldn't listen. Now you're going to be split by Brother Heng."

The man in white's playful expression vanished, replaced by a rare, faint smile. He then took the initiative and charged forward. Zhao Heng let out a low growl, and the trembling force erupted from his wooden sword, perfectly natural. "Clang!" The two wooden swords collided with a fierce sound, sending a gust of wind that stung the skin.

The thick fog in the courtyard dissipated, and the two figures became clear.

The man in white was forced to retreat five steps by Zhao Heng's powerful strike, his steps unsteady, nearly falling. A trace of surprise flashed across his face, as he never expected to need eight-tenths of his strength to block the boy. How formidable was he? It seemed he should relinquish his title as the first sword of Huaguo.

Zhao Heng's sword almost slipped from his hand, and a trace of blood seeped from his tiger's mouth.

Experience does indeed come with age!

Zhao Heng's eyes showed a hint of approval, but he quickly readied himself for another round.

"Wait, wait, today's training ends here."

The middle-aged man, using his half-teacher, half-friend status, panted heavily and announced loudly, a flush of red on his refined face. He then quickly threw the wooden sword to the ground, signaling the end of the fight: "Zhao Heng, I slept with a stiff neck last night. It's really inconvenient to fight today."

Lu Meng stood up abruptly, biting into a bun and sneering, "Uncle Feng, are you done for? If you can't handle Brother Heng, just admit it. Considering all the adult videos you've shown me, I'll plead for you. Otherwise, the five-hour intense training must continue. I want to see you crawling on the ground begging for mercy."

"Ridiculous! How can you speak to your teacher like that?"

The middle-aged man sternly reprimanded, then smiled at Zhao Heng, adding, "However, I must admit that Zhao Heng is almost surpassing me. Impressive! Zhao Heng, you no longer need intense training. You need real combat. In other words, Uncle Feng has nothing more to teach you."

"Uncle Feng, you're too modest. That's not good. Come on, let's fight again!"

Zhao Heng, holding the wooden sword, shouted loudly, his face showing reluctance. He thought back to twelve years ago when this strange uncle had lured him into becoming his disciple with the promise of unique bone structure, leading to a life of endless misery—cross-country running, standing at attention, horse stances, slaughtering pigs and wolves, moving stones, and chopping trees. What kind of life was this?

A life of drudgery.

"No, let's eat the buns instead."

The man in white firmly refused Zhao Heng's request. Although his words were flattering, he had never relaxed his vigilance and caution towards Zhao Heng. He knew his disciple well; behind the slightly humble eyes and radiant smile lay a rebellious and cunning nature.

Zhao Heng had worn out classics like "The Art of War," "The Thick and Black Book," and "The Spring and Autumn of the Huas," even the profound "The Warring States" had been damaged. The plots and schemes in these books were deeply ingrained in his mind. If he insisted on fighting today, he would end up rolling on the ground in disgrace.

"Zhao Heng, you are my pride."

Uncle Feng, looking at the now calm Zhao Heng, said with a hint of satisfaction, "Your current strength makes you a top-notch expert. With a few more rounds of real combat to hone your explosive power, within three years, even the four major families will have to weigh the risks of dealing with you."

The man in white exhaled a long breath, his face showing pride as he continued, "In this world, only a youth with unique bone structure like you could make me unable to teach you within twelve years. You are a prodigy, Zhao Heng. Go out and explore. The outside world is vast and brilliant. You will eventually find your place."

"Of course, don't talk about me to others."

The man in white patted Zhao Heng's shoulder, "I'm very low-key and don't want to be disturbed by outsiders." He then added, "You will eventually shine in Huaxia, and you will inevitably deal with the four major families. I have a piece of advice for you: don't be fooled by their smiles."

"The four major families excel at smiling while hiding knives."

Lu Meng's lips curled in disdain, and he huffed, "So what if they smile while hiding knives? So what if they are the four major families? In the face of Brother Heng, they can only bow and serve as dogs! Moreover, Brother Heng will eventually win the heart of the heavenly beauty from the Bei family, and with that stepping stone, he can take over the Bei family!"

In Lu Meng's eyes, women were stepping stones to power!

Uncle Feng glanced at the calm Zhao Heng, maintaining a smile, "Having the ambition to win a beauty is commendable, but the daughters of prestigious families are not impressed by mere personal excellence. While commoners call for equality, the four major families adhere to the principle of equal status."

He patted Zhao Heng's shoulder and said with a meaningful smile, "For Zhao Heng to win Bei Ruyan's heart, the key is to enter the Bei family's field of vision. To make the Bei family see you as a worthy match, you must have your own empire and foundation. Otherwise, what can you offer as a dowry? A sincere heart? It means nothing!"

Zhao Heng's body trembled, as if he had grasped something.

Lu Meng, after finishing half a cup of soy milk, frowned and asked, "What kind of empire? What kind of foundation? Why is it so complicated to get a woman? Besides, with the overwhelming power of the four major families, what can still impress them? Gold and silver? Women and territory? Or some miraculous elixir?"

Zhao Heng also had similar doubts, looking at the cunning Uncle Feng!

Uncle Feng stroked his nonexistent beard, raised his finger, and explained, "There are indeed few things that can impress the four major families, but there is something that can move them. There is a place they have not yet obtained but desperately want. That territory is crucial. Once it falls into any one of their hands..."

"The balance among the four major families will be broken."

His expression turned solemn, "Once the balance is broken, it might take only a few years to become three, two, or even one dominant family. The intricacies involved are too complex to explain in a short time. Simply put, whoever obtains that territory will gain a significant advantage!"

Four equally powerful tigers, the one with wings would be invincible.

Lu Meng looked at Uncle Feng with dissatisfaction, "What territory?"

"Huahai."

Uncle Feng smiled, his gaze returning to Zhao Heng, "The city where Zhao Heng will go to university. Huahai's strategic location has been coveted by the four major families for a long time, but due to the balance of power, none of them have moved. Of course, the neutrality of the Du family in Huahai is also a factor."

"Therefore, Huahai has not belonged to the four major families for years."

Lu Meng nodded in realization, finishing his soy milk in one gulp, "In short, Huahai is a golden opportunity. If Brother Heng takes it, the four major families will come to him, and he can choose any woman he wants, including Bei Ruyan. Right?"

"Your words are crude."

Uncle Feng laughed heartily, then said, "They are shallow, and things may not be as optimistic as you think, but the principle is similar. If Zhao Heng conquers Huahai, he will have the weight and leverage to negotiate with the Bei family, and Bei Ruyan won't dare to act like a spoiled daughter."

"Power is a man's greatest charm!"

Lu Meng walked to Zhao Heng's side, putting his arm around his shoulder, "Brother, let's do it!"

Zhao Heng smiled but said nothing, inwardly agreeing with Uncle Feng's words. Power is a man's greatest charm. Even if he wasn't fighting for Bei Ruyan, he should leave a legacy of his own, so that when he passed away, he wouldn't shed tears in vain.

At this moment, Zhao Heng's blood boiled.

"Alright, that's all I have to say."

Uncle Feng chuckled, a hint of melancholy in his voice, "I will be traveling again in a few days and leaving Lu Village for a while. You two don't need to miss me or look for me, but don't forget your daily intense training. The only thing you can truly rely on is your own body."

"I'll leave this courtyard to you to play with, just don't burn it down."

The man in white left every autumn, and Zhao Heng and Lu Meng were familiar with his habit, so they weren't surprised by his travel plans. However, no matter how much they asked over the years, the man in white never revealed what he did, only smiling and saying he was purely sightseeing.

"Uncle Feng, what do you really do?"

Zhao Heng asked out of habit, not expecting an answer, but received a different response:

"Go to a desert, meet a person, drink a bowl of wine."

As he turned to go back inside, he whispered, "And have one more sword duel."

"But this year, I have to kill another Guan Da Wang."

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