CHAPTER 232: CHAPTER 231: THIS YOUNG MAN, HAS HAD A HARD LIFE

Xia Ruqing raised her head to look at Zhao Junyao.

Respect filled her eyes.

In her mind, she recalled the days when Xia Tingfeng was at home, hardly ever returning. Whenever he did come home, it was either for silver or he’d come back covered in injuries.

The body’s previous owner had also felt this older brother was no good, so they had hardly ever spoken, and her memory of his appearance was very vague. It turned out... he actually wasn’t without talent!

"If Dad knew, would he regret it?"

"If he had supported him back then, encouraged him, and hired a martial arts master for him, maybe he would have made it a long time ago!" Xia Ruqing said slowly.

The two people on the Martial Stage were not her brother; she looked at Zhao Junyao.

Zhao Junyao, however, with a slight smile, shook his head.

"Not so!"

"If it were as you said, your brother might just be a good-for-nothing!"

"Ah?" Xia Ruqing was somewhat puzzled. "Why? He is talented!"

Zhao Junyao spoke indifferently, "It’s true that he is talented, but the thing that gave him the most motivation was your father’s disdain!"

"The achievements he has now are because he has lingered on the edge of life and death too many times!"

"Martial Arts encompasses many profound principles that can never be applied rigidly!"

Finally, a spark of understanding lit up in Xia Ruqing’s mind; she got it.

"Your Majesty, you make sense!"

Only when pushed to the brink can one awaken the deepest instincts within. Sometimes, a fight among a few ruffians over a bowl of leftover rice could cost someone their life. To survive, one had to be stronger than others. To live well, to become their leader, one had to be the strongest. The Hidden Guards trained by the Imperial family... Compared to those who had struggled on the brink of life and death, who would resort to any means to win, to stay alive... they were somewhat lacking.

The two people on the Martial Stage fought fiercely, seemingly with not much difference in strength. It took a full half Shi Chen to barely determine the winner. The losing side was injured and had to be supported as they left, while the victor didn’t fare much better, unable to stand steadily.

Another pair took to the stage.

This time, she finally saw that familiar figure.

"Brother!"

Xia Ruqing no longer felt the excitement from before, instead feeling a bit heartbroken.

He loathes Father and refuses to enter our home, so he forced himself onto this path! However glorious he appeared now, it only reflected the hardships he had endured in the past! This young man... his life had been far too difficult.

Zhao Junyao sat still, his expression unchanged, his gaze remote. Xia Ruqing was different; she felt a tug at her heart.

"The opponent... The opponent is such a big fellow!"

Zhao Junyao gave her a casual glance. "This is just the first round!"

"Out of thirty-six people, eighteen will win, and of those eighteen, nine will win!"

"Nine people?" How would the final nine fight? "One against two?"

Zhao Junyao nodded.

Xia Ruqing frowned. "How cruel!"

Zhao Junyao, however, didn’t see it as a big deal. "Victory and defeat are common for soldiers; those who cannot withstand a loss don’t deserve to win!"

Xia Ruqing did not speak further.

On the Martial Stage, the big fellow made the first move. His steps were steady, his strikes powerful, his fist brought the wind with it.

Xia Ruqing felt that if she were hit by him, she would likely meet her end on the spot. Her heart was in her throat.

Even though Xia Tingfeng was extremely agile, reacting quickly to each move, he still suffered a few small losses. He barely dodged several punches from the big man.

"Come on!" Xia Ruqing was inwardly anxious.

When you knew the person up there was your own flesh and blood, it was impossible to remain indifferent. Xia Ruqing’s heart was tight with concern.

Zhao Junyao glanced at her and spoke softly, "You don’t need to worry so much, their strengths are all quite similar! In private, they are all brothers who would go through fire and water for each other!"

Xia Ruqing thought, That’s right, this is a competition. They’ll pull their punches. Even if he loses, he won’t lose his life! Thinking like this, Xia Ruqing was slightly relieved.

Zhao Junyao chuckled lightly. "Do you hope he loses?"

Xia Ruqing was stunned for a moment. "Of course, I hope he wins!"

It was just that a moment ago... I wasn’t thinking that far ahead, just hoping he’d be safe!

Zhao Junyao did not say more.

On the Martial Stage, the two had reached an intense phase of their battle, a fierce fight like that of dragon and tiger. The big guy was still very steady, moving faster than before, yet his strength was undiminished. He appeared to be fighting effortlessly, but in reality, his strength was profound, and his endurance particularly astonishing. Xia Tingfeng, however, was not conceding at all. Although he was tall, he did not have the size of his opponent and had slightly lesser endurance, so he focused on being nimble and agile.

But the big guy didn’t seem to be in a rush.

He’s trying to wear him down, she realized. If this steady exchange continued, Xia Tingfeng, with his lesser endurance, would definitely lose. What could he do?

Thousands of thoughts spun through Xia Tingfeng’s mind. Suddenly, a sly glint flashed in his eyes, and in the blink of an eye, dozens of rounds had passed. As the big guy’s fist came at him again, Xia Tingfeng intentionally met it with his shoulder. He used the hardest part of the shoulder’s exterior to take half a punch. Then, pretending to be defeated, he appeared to be about to fall to the ground.

Seeing Xia Tingfeng’s apparent failure, the big guy hurriedly pursued and struck ferociously, getting ready to punch again. Suddenly, Xia Tingfeng bent his body, with knees slightly bent, rapidly shifting his center of gravity down. When his opponent focused all his strength on his fists, Xia Tingfeng found the opening and ferociously attacked his lower limbs. Gathering all his strength, his kick was like lightning, sweeping across.

Before the big guy could even throw his punch, he was on his knees, letting out a muffled grunt of unbearable pain. At that moment, Xia Tingfeng swiftly dodged, his toes touched the ground, and with a light leap, he landed behind the big guy. A knife-hand strike to his neck and the big guy swayed twice then crashed to the ground, unable to get up again.

"YES!" Xia Ruqing stood up and shouted. Her voice was not even out before it was drowned out in the thunderous drumming. But this did not affect her excitement in the least.

"Your Majesty, my brother won!"

Zhao Junyao gave a faint smile. "I have known all along that he could win!"

Even though he had resorted to a trick. However, on the battlefield, it didn’t matter what your real strength was. If you could knock others down, you could survive! He had, after all, struggled on the line between life and death. The training of the Imperial Forest Army, no matter how realistic, could never truly replicate a real battlefield. And Xia Tingfeng had already experienced countless life-or-death struggles and survived them all. He was the true expert.

Xia Ruqing suddenly felt confused. "Your Majesty, no one taught my brother Martial Arts when he was young. How did he become so formidable?"

Zhao Junyao pulled her over forcefully, made her sit properly, and then said, "Do you think it’s better to be taught by someone, or not to be taught at all!"

Xia Ruqing answered without hesitation, "Of course, it’s better to be taught by someone!" With Martial Arts, you definitely need to learn how to execute techniques. All those moves and forms have established methods; you can’t just do them randomly.

Zhao Junyao asked again, "Then do you think it’s better to be taught by a master, or taught by life or death encounters!"

"Ah??" Xia Ruqing fell silent.

Taught by life-or-death encounters...

Late that night, the two of them returned to the palace. On the way back, Xia Ruqing had already fallen asleep. Zhao Junyao had no choice but to hold her with one arm and the reins with the other. By the time they reached Zhaochen Palace, there was already a faint light on the horizon. After a quick wash up, the two rested at Zhaochen Palace.