Chapter 21

Zhao Hao's words were entirely sincere.

Of course, Zhao Hao had his own considerations.

Huang Yaoshi, while flawed in minor matters, remained steadfast in major principles.

It would be difficult to consider Huang Yaoshi a great hero. His actions were often extreme, and he was both righteous and unrighteous. He did not do many acts of chivalry, but he did many things without restraint.

However, Huang Yaoshi never crossed Zhao Hao's bottom line.

Moreover, at the end of "The Return of the Condor Heroes," Huang Yaoshi set up the Twenty-Eight Constellations Formation in Xiangyang, risking his life in the Mongol army, repeatedly facing life and death, yet persisting until the end.

This alone was enough for Zhao Hao to view Huang Yaoshi differently.

Huang Yaoshi's life was characterized by defiance of convention, arrogance, and disregard for "traditional morals," but he held the utmost respect for loyal ministers and filial sons. According to Huang Yaoshi, this was a matter of major principle.

Anyone who could uphold "loyalty and filial piety" could be accepted by Zhao Hao, no matter how much they defied convention.

In this chaotic world, every person united was a strength gained. Zhao Hao would not hesitate to invest himself to make his side stronger.

However, whether Huang Yaoshi would accept Zhao Hao's persuasion was uncertain.

True strong individuals have their own principles, which cannot be easily swayed by a few words from others.

Indeed, Huang Yaoshi said calmly, "I know that the martial arts recorded in the 'Nine Yin Manual' are beyond what I can achieve in my lifetime. Practicing the martial arts in the 'Nine Yin Manual' would not be a problem to further enhance my strength. But although I, Huang Yaoshi, may not be a gentleman, I am a man of my word. Once I have said something, it cannot be taken back."

At the end of his words, Huang Yaoshi's voice was tinged with melancholy.

Zhao Hao's heart stirred, sensing a hint of regret in Huang Yaoshi's words and recalling some of Huang Yaoshi's past.

In the past, Huang Yaoshi married Feng Heng and early on took in six disciples: Chen Xuanfeng, Mei Chaofeng, Qu Lingfeng, Lu Chengfeng, Wu Mianfeng, and Feng Mofeng.

After Wang Chongyang's death, he instructed Zhou Botong to hide the upper and lower volumes of the 'Nine Yin Manual' separately.

"Old Fool" Zhou Botong, while transporting the lower volume of the 'Nine Yin Manual' to its hiding place, encountered Huang Yaoshi and his newlywed wife Feng Heng. Feng Heng, with her photographic memory, tricked Zhou Botong into believing the manual was fake. Zhou Botong, in a fit of anger, destroyed the manual. Later, Feng Heng memorized the lower volume and gave it to Huang Yaoshi.

The 'Nine Yin Manual' is divided into upper and lower volumes. The lower volume contains only martial arts techniques, which require the internal cultivation methods from the upper volume to complement them. Huang Yaoshi, proud and arrogant, insisted on researching the upper volume himself before practicing.

At this time, his disciples Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng fell in love. Fearing Huang Yaoshi's eccentric nature, they stole the lower volume of the 'Nine Yin Manual' and left Peach Blossom Island.

Huang Yaoshi, enraged, blamed the other disciples, severing their leg tendons and expelling them from the island.

Feng Heng, to comfort Huang Yaoshi, tried to rewrite the manual. However, due to her partial forgetfulness, she spent several days and nights writing down about 7,000 to 8,000 characters, which led to the birth of Huang Rong and her own death.

This became Huang Yaoshi's eternal pain and regret.

Years later, Huang Yaoshi had long felt regret and knew that all this was due to his own greed.

If he had not coveted the 'Nine Yin Manual' from the beginning, none of the subsequent events would have happened.

So now, Huang Yaoshi truly despised the 'Nine Yin Manual.'

Compared to the 'Nine Yin Manual,' he wished more for Feng Heng to come back to life rather than leaving him to regret alone.

Moreover, as Huang Yaoshi grew older, he began to miss his other disciples.

The actions of Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng were despicable, but Qu Lingfeng, Lu Chengfeng, Wu Mianfeng, and Feng Mofeng were completely innocent.

Huang Yaoshi, in his anger, severed their leg tendons and expelled them from the island.

Such actions were not only cruel but also heartless.

Now, reflecting on it, Huang Yaoshi felt deep regret.

In the world of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," he had already taken Lu Chengfeng back as a disciple, teaching him the "Whirlwind Sweeping Leaves Leg Technique" to help him walk again and allowing him to teach Peach Blossom Island martial arts to Lu Guanying. He also learned that Wu Mianfeng had died and instructed Mei Chaofeng to find the 'Nine Yin Manual' and bring the other disciples and their families to Guiyun Manor.

He was trying to make amends for his past mistakes.

Unfortunately, finding a few people in the vast world was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

And Mei Chaofeng, not long after, died tragically while saving Huang Yaoshi from Ouyang Feng.

For years, Huang Yaoshi traveled the world, perhaps hoping to find the descendants of his former disciples and make amends.

He was a proud and arrogant man, but the fact that Qu Lingfeng's daughter, Dumb Girl, had always been by his side indicated his regret.

In Zhao Hao's view, Huang Yaoshi was a proud and stubborn person.

His carefree attitude was directed at strangers like himself. In front of him, Huang Yaoshi could freely admit his mistakes.

But in front of those close to him, especially his juniors, he would never reveal his shortcomings.

He would only show it through his actions.

Unfortunately, after so many years, his disciples were still gone.

It seemed that heaven was punishing him for his past mistakes, as his disciples left one by one.

Huang Yaoshi felt deep sorrow and helplessness.

Cheng Ying was able to become Huang Yaoshi's last disciple not because of her exceptional talent, but because Huang Yaoshi poured all his patience and regret into her.

This was a pain that Huang Yaoshi could not shake off throughout his life, so he never practiced the 'Nine Yin Manual.'

His disciples ultimately did not receive redemption.

He should not receive redemption either.

Thinking of this, a smile appeared on Zhao Hao's face.

"Island Master Huang, a broken mirror may not be mended, but spilled water can be retrieved," Zhao Hao said with a hint of meaning.

Huang Yaoshi sighed lightly, "It's not that easy."

"Island Master Huang, if I introduce a friend to you, would you be willing to agree to two requests from me?" Zhao Hao asked with a light smile.

"I do not easily make promises to others," Huang Yaoshi replied.

"What if the friend I introduce is named Feng Mofeng?" Zhao Hao asked.

Huang Yaoshi suddenly looked up, staring intently at Zhao Hao, his voice trembling, "What did you say your friend's name is?"

"Feng Mofeng," Zhao Hao confirmed.

Huang Yaoshi's breathing suddenly quickened, and after a moment, he regained his composure, "How is he?"

"He is well. Brother Feng is a true man," Zhao Hao praised.

Thinking of Feng Mofeng, Zhao Hao's eyes reflected the not-so-imposing figure.

He walked with a limp, his back slightly bent, but he never looked back.

He walked directly into the Mongol camp and never came out.

In times of chaos, there are always unnamed heroes who silently sacrifice themselves for their country and nation.

They do not seek recognition, but those who know should not forget them.

Such people are the true foundation of a nation and the most precious wealth of a country.

They give their lives for the country, viewing death as if it were nothing.

For such people, Zhao Hao could not help but show respect.