Yang Guo: I defied death and reached the heavens in The Return of the Condor Heroes

The young Taoist priest beside him whispered his advice:

"Senior Brother Lu, Uncle Zhao has already warned us not to leave any evidence against us."

"Since he didn't make the first move, we shouldn't provoke him."

Lu Qingdu snorted coldly and gritted his teeth, saying:

"Of course I know."

"Sooner or later, I will make him kneel down and beg me."

Yang Guo returned to his secluded cottage, closed the door, and a slight smile quietly appeared on his lips.

He saw right through Lu Qingdu's thoughts at a glance.

He's eager to provoke conflict but afraid to actually fight; he's nothing but a blustering coward and not worth taking seriously.

This incident made him realize that Zhao Zhijing's patience was gradually wearing thin.

Overt alienation and exclusion won't hurt you in the slightest.

This person then instigated his disciples to come and test his bottom line.

Today it's just verbal provocation, but tomorrow they may resort to even more vicious methods.

We must be more cautious in our actions from now on, and never leave any loopholes or weaknesses in the slightest detail.

Meanwhile, in Zhao Zhijing's courtyard, Lu Qingdu was bowing and reporting the situation that had just occurred in the corridor.

"That kid was extremely arrogant, and his words were full of sarcasm."

"And...and they even spoke rudely to you, Master, saying that all of us disciples are idiots."

Lu Qingdu's face was full of resentment and unwillingness.

"Then he completely ignored his disciple, his expression arrogant, and left on his own."

Zhao Zhijing sat in the chair, his five fingers gripping the armrests tightly, his knuckles clearly defined.

His face was as dark as a storm cloud, and his eyes were blazing with barely concealed anger.

He shouted angrily:

"This little brat dares to act so recklessly! Does he think Guo Jing is still protecting him in Zhongnan Mountain?"

"If we don't teach him a lesson, he'll never know who he is!"

"Qingdu, from now on, you keep a close eye on this little beast's every move."

Even if it's nitpicking, we have to find a thorn in his skin!

Lu Qingdu quickly bowed and replied:

"Master, please rest assured, your disciple will keep a close watch day and night and will not let any loophole slip by."

Zhao Zhijing's face was grim as he muttered to himself:

"You little beast, just wait until I get my hands on something, and then I'll show you how I deal with you."

"You may all leave now."

Lu Qingdu and the others bowed and turned to leave slowly.

Zhao Zhijing was the only one left in the room, his gaze sinister and intimidating.

He raised his hand to his shoulder; the spot where Guo Jing had struck him with a palm strike years ago still ached faintly.

He held a grudge against both Guo Jing and Yang Guo for the humiliation of that blow.

If he himself was powerless to contend with Guo Jing, surely he could handle a greenhorn who had just started out in the world?

......

For several days in a row.

Lu Qingdu truly stayed by Yang Guo's side at all times, keeping a close watch on him.

He kept a close eye on things during morning classes, afternoon classes, practice sessions, and even mealtimes.

Even when Yang went to the outhouse, he wished he could follow him in immediately and stand guard next door, not daring to leave for a moment.

He dared not follow too closely during the day, fearing that Yang Guo would notice, so he followed from a distance, either pretending to pass by or practicing his swordsmanship on the spot to avoid being noticed.

As night deepened, he changed into dark clothes and lay in wait in the shadows outside Yang Guo's residence.

They would often stare at the mosquitoes for most of the night, enduring their bites and swarms, holding their breath and not daring to make a sound.

Despite his seven days and nights of close surveillance, he ultimately gained nothing and failed to seize any leverage over the matter.

Yang Guo's daily routine was as regular as a precise instrument, without the slightest deviation.

He gets up at dawn, attends morning classes at 7 am, practices martial arts at 9 am, eats lunch at noon, takes care of miscellaneous tasks at 1 pm, sits quietly to review at 3 pm, and rests at 7 pm. He is never late or leaves early, and his actions never deviate from the proper rules.

Lu Qingdu had been spying on him for days, his eyelids drooping from exhaustion, but he still couldn't find the slightest fault.

There is no evidence that Yang Guo secretly practiced unorthodox martial arts, nor did he sneak out at night to meet with outsiders.

He has never even engaged in the usual acts of laziness or shirking responsibility.

On the morning of the eighth day, Lu Qingdu stood dejectedly in front of Zhao Zhijing, his eyes dark and swollen.

"Master...that kid is just...too normal."

Lu Qingdu's voice was full of grievance and confusion.

"I have been watching him for several days. Apart from doing chores, he devotes himself to cultivation. He closes his door and goes to bed at night, never stepping out of his residence."

"I have observed him several times, but I really... really can't find any flaws in his defenses."

Zhao Zhijing's face darkened inch by inch.

He sat upright in his chair, his knuckles tapping incessantly on the armrest, the muffled "thump-thump" sounds gradually becoming more rapid, like an ominous countdown.

A moment later, he abruptly stopped and sneered:

"Normal? The more normal it is, the more abnormal it is."

"A fourteen or fifteen-year-old boy, who is criticized and ostracized every day, can still remain calm and composed."

"He was secretly watched for seven days, yet his actions remained flawless."

"Such composure and self-control are not qualities that an ordinary young man should possess."

He abruptly stood up, flicked his sleeves slightly, and said coldly:

"Very well, since you can't find any fault with him, I will personally go and deal with this little beast."

Lu Qingdu felt a chill run down his spine and quickly lowered his head, stepping aside to stand.

......

That afternoon.

After tidying up the chores in the courtyard, Yang Guo carried the wooden bucket to the woodshed.

Just as I turned the corner of the corridor, I saw Zhao Zhijing standing in the middle of the road with his hands behind his back.

His expression was somber, and his eyes were fixed on him like those of a hawk.

Several disciples passing by slowed their pace upon seeing this.

His gaze swept back and forth between the two, and he vaguely sensed an unusual atmosphere.

Yang Guo paused slightly, but quickly regained his composure, put down the wooden bucket, and bowed respectfully.

"This disciple greets Martial Uncle Zhao."

Zhao Zhijing did not respond, but instead looked down at him.

His gaze was scrutinizing and oppressive, with a hint of deliberate coldness.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke:

"Yang Guo, you've been a disciple of my Quanzhen Sect for some time now. I've recently heard that your cultivation techniques are quite good?"

Yang Guo, with a composed and respectful demeanor, cupped his hands in a respectful reply:

"Reporting to Senior Uncle, this disciple is of dull talent and can only barely keep up with the progress of the other senior brothers in their studies. I dare not claim that I have learned well."

"Oh?"

Zhao Zhijing raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Humility is a good thing, but excessive humility is hypocrisy."

"I have heard that Junior Brother Li speaks highly of you, praising your exceptional comprehension and promising talent."

He paused briefly, then abruptly changed the subject:

"Since you have such talent, I will give you some pointers in person, so that your gifts will not go to waste."

After saying that, he unbuttoned his Taoist robe, tucked the hem into his waist, revealing a neat and tidy outfit underneath.

He slightly raised both palms, assuming the starting stance of Quanzhen martial arts, and looked directly at Yang Guo:

"Come on, show me your most skillful moves."

"How much of what you've learned in the past month or so has actually been mastered?"

The atmosphere around them froze instantly.

The disciples present exchanged knowing glances, each understanding the situation perfectly.

Zhao Zhijing wasn't trying to "give pointers" at all; he was clearly trying to "establish his authority" in public.

He personally took to the field to deal with a disciple who had been a member for over a month; even if he won, it wouldn't be considered honorable.

But he chose to make the invitation in front of everyone.

The point was to deflate Yang Guo's arrogance in front of everyone.

If Yang Guo dares not accept the challenge, he will be "cowardly and afraid of battle, disgracing his master's school".

If we were to stand up and fight, we would be playing right into their hands.

Zhao Zhijing had a hundred ways to make him suffer unexpected setbacks and embarrass himself in public during the competition.

All eyes were on Yang Guo.

Some people secretly gloated, just waiting to see a joke unfold.

Some people showed pity, but dared not say anything due to the imposing presence.

Some people secretly shook their heads, feeling that Zhao Zhijing's actions were far too petty.

Yang Guo stood still for two or three breaths.

He was now trapped with no way out, and he could not retreat.

He raised his head to meet Zhao Zhijing's gaze, his voice flat and even, as if discussing ordinary trivial matters:

"Since you have kindly instructed me, I will humbly offer my humble opinion."