Heroes Think Alike

Tielong Martial Arts Hall.

Zhang Hao stared wide-eyed at the frosted glass wall. He could vaguely make out shadows moving within, and every now and then, he caught the cold glint reflected from a sword blade.

He had studied at Tielong Martial Arts Hall for three years, yet this was his first time seeing the hall master personally teach swordsmanship.

The Dragon-Roaming Sword was Tielong Martial Arts Hall's ultimate art. It was said that only by taking Tie Dalong as one's teacher could one learn this sword technique.

Zhang Hao had once taken the initiative to ask to become a disciple, only to be refused by Tie Dalong. Yet today, Tie Dalong was personally teaching the Dragon-Roaming Sword to a young man. Could the boy be his newly accepted disciple?

This sword room on the second floor used electronic access control, and surveillance cameras stood outside the door. Only a handful of people were qualified to enter.

There was nothing to learn through frosted glass, and he could not hear the conversation inside either. Zhang Hao took a few looks before leaving. On the first floor, he found Xu Ying, who was in charge of front-desk reception.

"Xiao Ying, what's the background of that new young man?" Zhang Hao was fairly familiar with Xu Ying, so he asked with feigned curiosity.

Delicate-looking Xu Ying was reserved by nature and was not really suited for front-desk work. But she was a relative of the Tie Family. Quite a few people at the martial arts hall flirted with her, yet none dared to step out of line.

Zhang Hao himself had asked her out twice, only to be politely turned down. Fortunately, he often fed her little snacks and such, so their relationship was still fairly good.

Xu Ying glanced at the burly Zhang Hao and said quietly, "He's a disciple the hall master accepted. His name is Gao Wu. They say he's only eighteen, but he's already an Advanced Martial Artist."

"Oh..." Zhang Hao nodded. Naturally, he knew how formidable an eighteen-year-old Advanced Martial Artist was.

He was twenty-nine this year, and he had only become an Advanced Martial Artist last year. Too many injections had already caused severe damage to his body.

After becoming an Advanced Martial Artist, his strength had increased, but his overall physical condition had instead declined. His liver and heart had both developed deformities. Every day, he had to take large quantities of medicine to control his condition, along with neurological drugs for pain relief and sleep, before he could fall asleep.

Advanced Martial Artists earned quite well, but compared with the enormous price he had paid, it hardly seemed worth it.

Zhang Hao knew very clearly that only by condensing source power and advancing to Warrior could he completely resolve his physical problems. That was also the main reason he wanted to take Tie Dalong as his teacher.

The Dragon-Roaming Sword was secondary. The key was gaining access to Tie Dalong's various resources, which could greatly increase his chances of advancing to Warrior.

Now that Tie Dalong had accepted such a young disciple, Zhang Hao could not possibly have another chance.

At that thought, Zhang Hao developed intense disgust, even hatred, for that young man.

He sighed deeply to himself. At this point, there's no other choice...

At lunchtime in the small cafeteria on the third floor, Zhang Hao saw the young man named Gao Wu.

The boy was nearly ten centimeters taller than him. His smile was bright as sunlight, and though his voice was extremely hoarse, he spoke pleasantly. He was the sort of young man people naturally liked.

No matter how much malice Zhang Hao held toward Gao Wu, he would not show it, much less provoke him.

As an assistant instructor at the martial arts hall and a grown man, Zhang Hao was not that foolish.

Tie Ying introduced Gao Wu. "Zhang Hao, an Advanced Martial Artist and a martial arts hall instructor. Just call him Brother Zhang."

Calling an older person "Brother" was like calling an elderly person "Uncle"—a polite form of address with no real significance.

"Brother Zhang." Gao Wu greeted Zhang Hao politely. Zhang Hao smiled with great enthusiasm and even rose to shake Gao Wu's hand. "Brother, if you need anything in the future, just come find me..."

Gao Wu did not take Zhang Hao's polite words seriously. Around Beizhou, everyone loved making sweeping promises and saying grand things. If you took them seriously, that only meant you did not understand how things worked.

The lunch provided by the martial arts hall tasted good. There was even a serving of Black Lamb Chop, though the portion was not large.

The rest was all high-oil, high-fat food, with more than enough nutrition. It was far better than the school cafeteria.

After eating his fill, Gao Wu's impression of Tielong Martial Arts Hall improved even further. Teacher Tie Dalong was indeed very reliable.

After lunch, Tie Dalong took Gao Wu to the tea room to brew tea. He refused Gao Wu's offer to make it himself.

"My tea leaves are grown in the Void Realm. They contain source power particles, and only a special brewing method can activate them. I can't let you waste them."

Tie Dalong deftly handled the tea set while explaining the essence of the sword art to Gao Wu. "The Dragon-Roaming Sword actually has only four forms. Riding the Wind adapts to the momentum of the situation. Breaking the Waves is a counter-current slash. Piercing the Clouds seeks an opening for a thrust. Splitting the Stone is a direct frontal chop.

"All other changes in the sword moves derive from these four strikes. And the foundation of the four strikes lies in footwork and body movement. The so-called roaming dragon is ever-changing, nimble, swift, and fierce..."

Taking advantage of the intervals while brewing tea, Tie Dalong explained the essence of the Dragon-Roaming Sword to Gao Wu in detail.

That morning, he had taught the specific moves and force changes of the Dragon-Roaming Sword. Now, he needed to explain more theory.

In his view, Gao Wu's aptitude in swordsmanship was ordinary. At the very least, he was no peerless genius.

After a whole morning of study, Gao Wu had only barely learned the forms. As for the subtle changes within them, he was still far too lacking.

Tie Dalong was not surprised. Where were there so many peerless geniuses in the world?

If Gao Wu truly were a peerless genius, then from the very first day he practiced martial arts, he would have displayed dazzling brilliance.

An eighteen-year-old Advanced Martial Artist was impressive, but Dongjiang alone had nearly twenty eighteen-year-old Advanced Martial Artists. Looking across Beizhou, Advanced Martial Artists of that age were almost too numerous to count.

A young man like this could only be considered outstanding among his peers, or perhaps barely worthy of being called promising. He was still far from a genius.

Still, Gao Wu had practiced swordsmanship all morning without showing the slightest discomfort. This body of his was truly built to take punishment!

Martial Artists had to practice, in the end.

The human body had limits to what it could endure. Training continuously strengthened the body, but it also consumed it. Finding a balance between the two was extremely important.

Gao Wu, on the other hand, had been born with strong muscles and bones. He could withstand extreme training. That was an extraordinarily powerful talent.

Tie Dalong continued, "A roaming dragon moves with the wind, following the current of events. Bending oneself to follow others and seize the moment of battle is actually the most difficult. With Breaking the Waves, the roaming dragon travels against the tide. The root of its power lies in the dragon's tail. Breaking the Waves is a backhanded counter-current slash, nimble, swift, and fierce.

"With Piercing the Clouds, the dragon uses its sharp claws to pierce the cloud layer. This sword draws on that true meaning, with changes that are nimble and light. Splitting the Stone is simpler. It gathers the strength of the whole body into a chopping swing. It is the most direct and domineering move, a technique of crushing others with force..."

Gao Wu listened attentively to Tie Dalong's explanation. This was different from practicing the sword himself. In a relaxed state, he could instead understand the theory behind swordsmanship more thoroughly.

It had to be said that the Dragon-Roaming Sword was indeed exquisite. Tie Dalong had immersed himself in swordsmanship for thirty years, and his attainment in the sword was truly profound.

His explanations went from simple to deep, making the essence and imagery of the sword art clear and thorough.

Gao Wu had not yet fully grasped the sword moves, but he understood and remembered the principles of the sword.

That afternoon, Gao Wu went to the school Martial Arts Arena for training as usual.

Coach Huang Hai did not speak to Gao Wu either. It was as if his proposal from yesterday had simply been dropped. Yet Gao Wu felt a little uneasy. That old bastard was too underhanded. His silence was even more frightening.

After training ended, Huang Hai kept Gao Wu behind alone.

"You're at the final stage of physical development. You can't afford to delay it."

Huang Hai handed Gao Wu a black leather bag. "Take these twenty Blood Dragon Agents and use them first. Once you've completely digested the medicinal power and your physical condition has stabilized, go to Jinsheng and fight two ring matches for me."

"This... isn't that inappropriate?"

Gao Wu hesitated, but Huang Hai generously stuffed the black leather bag into his hands. "Take them. Train hard, and don't let me down."

Before Gao Wu could decline again, Huang Hai turned and left. Gao Wu felt no joy at gaining an advantage. Instead, he was somewhat worried. What trick is this old bastard trying to pull?

On second thought, whether he took the agents or not, he could not stop Huang Hai from playing tricks. There was nothing wrong with taking the benefits first.

If they truly fell out, never mind the old man or Song Mingyue—even just having Tie Dalong as his new teacher meant he did not need to fear Huang Hai. At worst, he could simply pay Huang Hai back for the Blood Dragon Agents...

That evening, when he saw Song Mingyue, Gao Wu humbly asked for advice. "Was I okay to do that?"

"Blood Dragon Agents suited to you are very important. There's never anything wrong with getting them in hand first."

Song Mingyue supported this. She said, "At most, it will take you one month to completely digest twenty Blood Dragon Agents. By then, the Flying Squirrel Serum should have arrived as well.

"Then use another month to digest ten Flying Squirrel Serums and make up for your weakness in speed. You should achieve excellent results in the Xuetao Cup..."

Though he had gained Song Mingyue's approval, Gao Wu still had some misgivings. Huang Hai could not possibly be treating him so well without some bad intention! He could not let down his guard.

Song Mingyue also said, "Still, it's a little abnormal for Huang Hai to be treating you so well. You need to be careful."

Hearing Song Mingyue say that, Gao Wu was instead delighted. The two of them had actually thought alike! He said excitedly to Song Mingyue, "Heroes think alike!"

An impulse rose in Gao Wu. He grabbed Song Mingyue's hand and said excitedly, "We've been through life-and-death together, and we get along so well. Let's become sworn siblings!"

Song Mingyue said nothing. A trace of puzzlement appeared in her beautiful, keen phoenix eyes.

Failing to receive a response, Gao Wu gave an awkward laugh. "Just being absurd, hehe..."

Song Mingyue lowered her bright eyes slightly. She suddenly regretted it. Going along with Gao Wu's nonsense just once might actually have been nice.

Unfortunately, the mood was gone. Trying again now would only be awkward... She sighed softly to herself. Maybe next time, I can play along with Gao Wu and be a friend who doesn't spoil the fun...

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