Chapter 22

"Tell me, what do you want me to promise you?" At this moment, Huang Yaoshi had already made up his mind. As long as what Zhao Hao asked him to do did not cross his底线 (底线 means 'bottom line' or 'limits'), even if it involved murder and arson, he would do it.

However, Zhao Hao's request was completely beyond his expectations.

"Two things. The first is to make yourself as strong as possible. The days of war and turmoil are not far off. The stronger you are, the greater your chances of survival. The second is that I hope that when this country has no place to retreat, I can see the figure of Lord Huang on the front lines of the battlefield," Zhao Hao said.

Huang Yaoshi was deeply moved.

Guo Jing's blood boiled.

They had not expected that neither of the two things Zhao Hao mentioned was for his own benefit.

Guo Jing considered himself to be straightforward, but he felt ashamed compared to Zhao Hao's noble character.

"May I ask for the young brother's name?" Huang Yaoshi asked solemnly.

Huang Yaoshi realized that someone like Zhao Hao could not be unknown in the martial world.

Zhao Hao smiled faintly and said, "Just a nameless soldier of the Power Gang."

Huang Yaoshi and Guo Jing's expressions changed again.

Nowadays, the name of the Power Gang was truly known by everyone in the martial world.

And the actions of the Power Gang were enough to make the whole world respect them.

"Originally, I thought you were a hero of the Power Gang. I was rash today. Saving Li Mochou was to make her join the Power Gang, right?" Huang Yaoshi said.

Zhao Hao nodded and said, "Li Fairy indeed has many sins, and I have no intention of defending her. However, everyone has their own value in this world. In recent years, the Power Gang has invited heroes from all over without any restrictions. Every member of the Power Gang is prepared to die. I hope they die on the battlefield, not by our own hands. Right and wrong, success and failure, will be judged by future generations."

"Your righteousness, young brother, is admirable. I have long heard of the deeds of the heroes of the Power Gang. What about my former disciple?" Huang Yaoshi asked.

Zhao Hao knew what Huang Yaoshi wanted to ask and said, "Brother Feng is now a member of the Power Gang and the chief blacksmith. Although Brother Feng's limbs are not flexible, he has forged countless weapons for the brothers in the gang. These weapons have killed countless Mongol soldiers. For the Power Gang, Brother Feng's contributions are immense, and Lord Huang has done a great job in teaching him."

Zhao Hao was not flattering but genuinely admiring.

Huang Yaoshi had many flaws and was far from perfect in his dealings, but in terms of teaching disciples, he was truly beyond reproach.

Huang Yaoshi's six major disciples, Chen Xuanfeng and Mei Chaofeng's deaths aside, the other four were expelled by Huang Yaoshi, who severed their leg tendons out of anger.

If Zhao Hao were in their place, he would have considered Huang Yaoshi an enemy from then on.

But Huang Yaoshi's four major disciples longed to return to his door, even though they had been wronged, they only wanted Huang Yaoshi's forgiveness.

This behavior was truly admirable.

Huang Yaoshi's charisma was evident.

And each of Huang Yaoshi's six major disciples had martial arts skills on par with Li Mochou, a level that Wang Chongyang would be ashamed to see.

In comparison, the Seven True Ones of Quanzhen could be called the "Seven Wastes of Quanzhen."

And the children of Guo Jing and Huang Rong, Guo Fu and the Wu brothers, were even more pitiful.

In the world of "The Return of the Condor Heroes," Huang Yaoshi was the best at cultivating successors. Later, Guo Xiang also grew up well because she followed Huang Yaoshi.

However, after hearing Zhao Hao's words, Huang Yaoshi did not show any pride but had a complex expression.

The disciples were indeed good disciples, but the master was not necessarily a good master.

Huang Yaoshi was very proud, but after so many years, he had long thought through the rights and wrongs.

"I am ashamed, and I have made a fool of myself in front of you," Huang Yaoshi said.

"Lord Huang, there is no need for such formality. Brother Feng and I have some connections. I know his greatest wish is to return to Lord Huang's door. If Lord Huang is willing, you can visit the headquarters of the Power Gang. I have important matters to attend to, otherwise I would accompany you," Zhao Hao said.

Zhao Hao was not lying to Huang Yaoshi. At this moment, Feng Mofeng was indeed at the headquarters of the Power Gang.

Feng Mofeng was a man of iron will, and the Power Gang was most attractive to people like him.

The Power Gang accepted people without asking about their origins, regardless of their martial arts lineage, and did not prohibit members from joining other sects. The only goal was to protect the land.

So, Feng Mofeng joining the Power Gang did not conflict with his return to the Peach Blossom Island sect.

"You seem to appreciate Mofeng a lot," Huang Yaoshi said.

"I respect every brother who joins the Power Gang and every person who can shed blood for this land," Zhao Hao said solemnly.

Feng Mofeng was such a person.

Influenced by Zhao Hao's solemnity, Huang Yaoshi also became more serious.

"Are all the members of the Power Gang patriotic like you?" Huang Yaoshi asked.

Zhao Hao shook his head and said, "The Power Gang has tens of thousands of members, and naturally, there are good and bad among them. There are bound to be cowards and evildoers. I do my best to contribute to the Song Dynasty."

"Although I am not in the court, I can see that the Song Dynasty is on the verge of collapse," Huang Yaoshi sighed.

Zhao Hao was silent for a moment and then said, "Many countries have been established on this land. They have had successes and failures, but they have never given up their dignity. Whether they are despised or condemned, at least for now, the Song Dynasty is the dynasty still standing on this land. I believe that one day, the Song Dynasty will rise again and shine. I will swear to protect it, share its glory and disgrace. Born as a dragon, even if my claws and scales are broken, and I fall into a shallow pond, I am still a dragon. I hope to see the Song Dynasty rule the world in my lifetime. I am willing to devote my life to this cause."

Zhao Hao's gaze swept over Huang Yaoshi, Guo Jing, and Li Mochou, and he said loudly, "Let me introduce myself. Zhao Hao of the Power Gang, I have met all of you. Meeting Lord Huang and Great Hero Guo today is a great honor. Unfortunately, I have other matters to attend to and cannot stay long. Fairy Li, let's go."

As Zhao Hao and Li Mochou's figures gradually disappeared, the dark forest echoed with Zhao Hao's song:

The ancient moonlight on the palm of the hand,

The wound that passes with a smile,

Looking up to you standing in one place,

Your madness of being born as a dragon,

Remember your name is Yanhuang.

As the song gradually faded away, Guo Jing suddenly trembled and muttered, "Zhao Hao! Zhao Hao! It's actually Zhao Hao!"

"Do you know him?" Huang Yaoshi asked in surprise.

He had never heard Zhao Hao's name in the martial world.

"Zhao Hao is the only son of the current emperor, the Crown Prince," Guo Jing's voice still carried shock.

A flash of intense light appeared in Huang Yaoshi's eyes.

Guo Jing felt a surge of ambition: If there were such an emperor, perhaps the Song Dynasty still had hope?

I hope to see you rule the world in my lifetime.

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