Legacy

"Now that you've returned to the family, is there anything you want to do? Any goals?"

Seeing Meng Zhao raise his head to look at him, Meng Jizu feared his words might make the boy overthink, and quickly added,

"Zhao, don't read too much into it. I merely want to know what is in your heart. No matter what decision you make, your uncle will certainly support you."

Hearing this, Meng Zhao immediately relaxed. Recalling his conversation with Lü Zhong at the manor that day, he said,

"This nephew's wish in life is simply to inherit Father's legacy and carry forward the second branch's estate."

At those words, Meng Jizu's face showed a trace of emotion. The latter ambition was simple enough—inherit the family property, manage it with care, and expand it. That was only human nature; most people would do the same.

But Meng Zhengan's legacy was no small ambition.

"Zhao, your father possessed extraordinary talent in martial arts, far surpassing both me and your Third Uncle. That was why your grandfather kept him at his side from childhood, teaching and guiding him with painstaking care. He hoped your father could attain the Grandmaster realm and add another blaze to the prosperity and strength of our Meng Clan.

"Zhengan himself had always aimed high from childhood. He hoped to make his name across the realm through martial arts and become a peerless genius able to stand shoulder to shoulder with—even surpass—our ancestor Meng Shentong. Yet it was precisely because of this that the stiff tree snapped easily, and misfortune befell him.

"Isn't such an ambition too heavy?"

Meng Jizu's words were brimming with worry. Whenever he thought of Meng Zhengan dying in the prime of his life, a stabbing pain rose in his heart.

Meng Zhengan had truly embodied the saying: his heart was higher than the sky, but his fate thinner than paper. Once, he had been the key hope upon which the clan's flourishing rested. In his youth, he had already mastered the family's divine art to perfection, and in adulthood, he had entered the Innate Realm before even his Elder Brother.

He had been a genuine genius. Had nothing gone wrong, even if he could not have become a blazing sun, he would still have been one of the stars in the night sky.

Unfortunately, when this genius first left Ji Prefecture, he encountered the final opponent of his life on a narrow road. The two fought a fierce battle, but he fell short by half a move and was ultimately defeated.

After his defeat, Meng Zhengan had not become disheartened. Instead, boundless fighting spirit rose within him. He hoped to train diligently, elevate his cultivation and martial arts to a new level, then wipe away his shame with a single victory.

Sadly, perhaps he had been too impatient. In the end, he suffered Qi Deviation, became bedridden, and died, leaving behind nothing but a heart full of regrets.

Meng Zhengan had likely possessed two greatest wishes in his life.

The first was to spread his name throughout the realm and allow the Meng Clan of Nan'an to produce another Grandmaster.

The second was to defeat the great foe from the final battle of his life—or perhaps foe was not the right word. Opponent was more fitting.

The two had merely delighted at the sight of worthy prey, their hands itching beyond endurance. Thus, they fought fiercely, using martial arts to make friends, only for him to be defeated in the end.

If Meng Zhao wished to inherit Meng Zhengan's legacy, it meant that he had to not only defeat the supreme expert who had beaten Meng Zhengan more than ten years ago, but also cultivate his martial path to the Grandmaster realm.

Leaving aside whether such an ambition was empty and unrealistic, it was simply too heavy for a young man not yet twenty.

The world was a riot of splendor, and life could shine brilliantly. There was too much beauty and happiness to seek and enjoy.

Yet once he chose Meng Zhengan's path, Meng Zhao would not only have to face countless life-and-death perils, but also endure endless pain along the way.

For Meng Zhao, none of this was necessary. With the Meng Clan standing behind him, he was destined to live a life clothed in silk and fed on jade, surrounded by wealth and glory. Since that was so, why make himself live so wearily?

That was Meng Jizu's way of thinking. He did not ask that Meng Zhao achieve anything great. He only hoped that the boy would live safely and happily, continue his Second Brother's bloodline, and that would be enough.

But Meng Zhao clearly did not see things that way.

Thus, he answered firmly,

"This nephew knows his talent is limited, but I possess a heart full of hot blood and perseverance. Even if I cannot attain the Grandmaster realm or make my name known across the realm, I will still defeat the opponent Father could not forget even on his deathbed."

First, his false identity meant that he was bound to live amid all kinds of danger. It might come from outside the Meng Family, or from within it. Martial arts were the most important safeguard for his personal safety.

Second, Meng Zhao truly yearned for, dreamed of, and loved the martial path.

And there was the Sky-Illuminating Mirror, such a cheat, as well as the unknown Special Physique he possessed, not to mention his false yet still exceptional family background...

With so many advantages, if he could not achieve something on the martial path, he feared even he himself would be unable to forgive himself.

That was why Meng Zhao had revealed his thoughts before Meng Jizu, while also shaping his image a little.

Filial children were always more likely to win the favor of their elders.

As for taking control of the Meng Family and inheriting the title of Earl of Nan'an, it was best to keep such thoughts in his heart.

Saying them aloud would bring no benefit whatsoever. Meng Jizu might even slap him to death on the spot.

Meng Jizu nodded. He knew that this child had been far from the family since childhood and had lived alone in another place, so he must have formed his own opinions. He asked again,

"Then do you know how formidable the man who defeated your father was?

"Back then, he was already able to defeat Zhengan after Zhengan had cultivated to the Nine Apertures Innate Realm. After so many years of cultivation, even if he has not reached the Grandmaster realm, he must be very close.

"Moreover, no deeds or news of him have spread for so many years. Perhaps he met with misfortune long ago. Where would you even go to find him?"

For a moment, Meng Zhao said nothing. He simply did not understand why Meng Jizu kept pouring cold water over him again and again.

Seeing the puzzled look on Meng Zhao's face, Meng Zhengan finally patted his shoulder worriedly and said earnestly,

"I say this only to tell you to let things take their natural course. Do not force them deliberately.

"Some things were destined long ago. No matter how hard you seek them, you cannot obtain them.

"If Zhengan had not been too anxious back then, too eager for quick success, he would not have suffered Qi Deviation while practicing, leaving behind hidden injuries that ultimately took his life.

"Zhao, I hope you understand your uncle's heartfelt concern."

Only then did Meng Zhao come to a sudden realization. So Meng Jizu feared that he would be too eager for success and repeat Meng Zhengan's tragedy. That was why he had spoken so painstakingly. This bond between uncle and nephew truly did carry weight.

But naturally, Meng Zhao had no such hidden danger. Leaving aside the Sky-Illuminating Mirror, he himself had a cautious temperament. He understood perfectly well that hot tofu could not be eaten in a hurry.

Still, Meng Zhao respectfully and modestly bowed to Meng Jizu in thanks, expressing his gratitude.

Seeing this, Meng Jizu knew that Meng Zhao had taken his advice to heart. Taking the opportunity, he asked about the martial arts Meng Zhao currently practiced and the progress he had made.

The real Meng Zhao had still been laying his foundation within the family at the age of eight. For example, he practiced fists and kicks, used medicinal baths and medicinal meals to improve his physique and strengthen his bones and constitution. He had not yet been taught the family's divine art.

After all, a tower ten thousand zhang high rose from level ground. Most children of aristocratic families, as well as disciples of famous sects, followed such a process.

Ten years had now passed, and Meng Jizu had no idea how skilled his nephew was in martial arts. He could only ask personally and test him before he could teach according to his aptitude.

If Meng Zhao's foundation was insufficient, he did not even intend to pass down the family's divine art to him. He would first lay a solid foundation for the boy before discussing anything else.