In the arena, Fu Yuanjun, under the pseudonym Li Jizhu, and Cao Wenyan fought fiercely, like two tigers battling for territory. No one was backing down, and the martial artists watching knew that Fu Yuanjun possessed the superior skill. They fully expected the winner to be the young disciple of the Gu Household.
As the martial artists watched the thrilling display, they nodded and muttered words of praise.
"This young man, Li Jizhu, is a dragon among these young men."
"It seems that it is very difficult for Cao Gongzi to stop Li Jizhu."
"I will put my money on Li Jizhu of Gu Household."
"Me too."
Fu Yuanjun's swordsmanship was lightning fast, and Cao Fengge could clearly see that Fu Yuanjun had the upper hand. Cao Fengge may have appeared to be a ruthless, distant father, but he secretly loved and cherished Fu Yuanjun, wanting him to become the strongest martial artist in the world. He wanted to teach Fu Yuanjun that even in the most humiliating situations, he should not break and should not give up. He should learn from the suffering and use it to his gain. He knew Fu Yuanjun had the upper hand and was extremely proud of his achievements.
The inhuman training from the Gu Household had provided Fu Yuanjun with foundational skills that suppressed Cao Wenyan. When Cao Wenyan swung his sword, Fu Yuanjun quickly used his agility to fly over Cao Wenyan and deliver a powerful kick to his upper back, causing Cao Wenyan to stagger forward.
Cao Wenyan quickly turned around. Fu Yuanjun rushed toward him with his sword and risked a glance at Cao Fengge's face. Fu Yuanjun did not see his father's proud expression but saw Cao Fengge shaking his head.
Fu Yuanjun instantly understood: his father wanted him to let Cao Wenyan win.
He stopped his sword about an inch from Cao Wenyan's left chest. Cao Wenyan, seizing the opening, flipped his sword to his left hand and pierced the blade into Fu Yuanjun's right chest. Cao Wenyan's right hand simultaneously struck Fu Yuanjun's left ribcage, sending Fu Yuanjun tumbling back toward the edge of the arena.
Fu Yuanjun's gaze fell on Cao Fengge, and he saw a clear smile on his father's face.
At that moment, the devastating truth hit him: no matter how hard he tried, no matter how much he excelled, he would never be publicly recognized by Cao Fengge. He wanted to cry, but held back the tears, turning his humiliation into resolve. He vowed to take this failure as a lesson and never forget the pain. He would be stronger than Cao Wenyan and, one day, suppress Cao Fengge himself. He didn't need anyone to clear the obstacles for him. "On this road, he would cut his own grass and create his own pathway. He will have his own legacy; he will not continue the legacy of others."
Cao Wenyan looked down at his defeated opponent coldly and said, "A servant will always be a servant." He sheathed his sword and walked toward Cao Fengge.
Fu Yuanjun watched as Cao Fengge happily patted Cao Wenyan's shoulder and praised him, all his own sacrifice disregarded.
After the competition, everyone returned to their own household. Fu Yuanjun was not praised but punished for daring to challenge Cao Wenyan and for failing to follow the script. He stood in front of the penalty pillar, and two guards handcuffed him securely to the structure. The guard with the whip began to beat him on the back.
Fu Yuanjun received five severe whips on his back, but he did not cry out. He knew that because he was now considered a failed student, not a guard, the Gu Household would refuse to accept useless disciples. After the five lashes, two guards brutally dragged him out of the Gu Manor and left him for dead.
It was midsummer, and the sun beat down with scorching heat. Fu Yuanjun sat under the same solitary tree for three days, his wounds festering. No one who walked by showed him any pity. He was simply lying under the tree, waiting for death, his mind wandering into deep, thoughtful reflections. He wanted to know if he had ever truly had someone who loved and cared for him. He could hear the buzzing of flies on his back, devouring his wounded flesh.
Then, he saw a boot stop in front of him, and someone gently handed him a plain bun. He stared at the food. He felt he had two choices: if he ate the bun, he would live a few more days of pain, but if he didn't, his suffering would end in the next few days. He chose the second option. He turned his head to the other side. The person then deliberately placed the bun directly in front of him.
The next thing he remembered was the sensation of a soft hand beginning to stroke the wound on his back. He heard a woman's voice speaking to him. "Even the smallest insect still wants to live, why did you give up so easily?" He felt the young lady begin to clean his wound with surprising skill and tenderness. She continued, her voice firm. "Those that who endures the cruelest treatment will always come out a champion."
Fu Yuanjun immediately understood her words. The will to survive, instilled by Cao Fengge's brutal training but now given meaning by this stranger, resurfaced. He picked up the dirty steamed bun and desperately stuffed it into his mouth. Then, he saw another steamed bun handed to him. He grabbed the second bun and swallowed it whole. He slowly sat up. He saw a beautiful young lady carrying a medicine box, smiling at him.
The young lady asked, her voice melodious, "Da Ge, what is your name?"
Fu Yuanjun, reborn by her compassion, replied, "Li Yuanjun."
The young woman smiled sweetly. "I am Yuan Chaomei."
Fu Yuanjun offered his gratitude. "Thank you, Yuan guniang."
Yuan Chaomei's demeanor turned professional. "Your wound has not been treated for several days, and the top layer of your flesh is rotten. To fully heal, I must scrape off the dead skin."
Fu Yuanjun was surprised, because this was the first time someone had shown him such care. "Are you willing to help me?"
Yuan Chaomei confirmed her dedication. "If you are willing to let me treat you, I am willing to treat your wounds."
As time passed, several months turned into several years. They grew older, and their love blossomed. Their love affair was kept secret between the two young lovers, but even so, Yuan Zixin followed Yuan Chaomei secretly one day and found the two cuddling behind a secluded bamboo house.
Yuan Zuxin suddenly appeared before the young lovers; his face contorted with rage. "Mei'er, you refused to follow my instruction because of this?"
Yuan Chaomei, terrified, stammered, "Father... I..."
Yuan Zuxin shouted madly, his eyes fixed on Fu Yuanjun. "Who is this man?"
Fu Yuanjun wanted desperately to tell Yuan Zuxin that he was Cao Fengge's son, but he knew that revealing his true background and his illegitimate status would only humiliate Chaomei further. He said simply, "I am Fu Yuanjun."
Yuan Zuxin pressed him on his social standing. "Li Gongzi, who are your parents, what title should I call you?"
Fu Yuanjun's voice was raw with shame. "I have no title."
Yuan Zuxin grabbed Yuan Chaomei's hand, pulling her away. "Mei'er, we are leaving now."
Yuan Chaomei begged desperately. "Father, please... I have never asked you for anything, but this time I want to ask Father not to separate us."
Yuan Zuxin looked at Fu Yuanjun with cold disdain. "Very good." He laid down the impossible condition. "Li Yuanjun, if you can be as rich as I am or your title is equal to mine in the martial arts world, I will let you marry Chaomei. Until then... I do not wish to see you again."
Fu Yuanjun began walking endlessly, his heart broken and his future shattered. At this moment, utterly defeated, he was resting in a small pavilion when a voice startled him. He opened his eyes and saw Cao Fengge staring down at him.
Fu Yuanjun looked up at the man who was both his father and his tormentor. "Father, I thought you had forgotten me."
Cao Fengge simply said, "Come with me."
Fu Yuanjun had never seen his father like this. Cao Fengge was holding a basket in his left hand, which was full of fruit and incense. The two walked for about three hours until they came to a small, neglected tomb. Weeds grew thickly around the grave.
Cao Fengge began to pull out the weeds with meticulous care. He then took out his handkerchief, poured some water onto the tombstone, and wiped it gently until the inscription was clear. Cao Fengge immediately lit two candles and placed them in front of the grave.
Fu Yuanjun looked at the tombstone, which read: 'Rest here is my beloved wife, Li Liqin.'
He asked, confused, "Who is Li Liqin?"
Cao Fengge sighed, a rare display of emotion. "The love of my life." He turned to Fu Yuanjun, his gaze piercing. "Your mother."
Fu Yuanjun was stunned by the revelation. His name, Yuanjun, suddenly made sense with the surname Li.
Cao Fengge continued, his voice heavy with finality. "I didn't let you see her when she was alive, and I certainly didn't let you see the funeral. I trained you with a heavy hand because I knew you were born for greatness, not just a cozy life inside the Cao household."
He gestured to the grave. "The price of greatness is sacrifice. You want to marry Yuan Chaomei? You need a title. You need a legacy. The chief of Tianshan position is currently empty and ripe for takeover. If you take that position, you will have the wealth and the standing to demand her hand from Yuan Zuxin."
Cao Fengge looked directly into his son's eyes, a promise and a threat intertwined. "You will also be the iron curtain protecting your brother, from any enemies I have made. You will be my most powerful shield, my most reliable sword."
Fu Yuanjun looked at his mother's grave, remembering the sting of Cao Wenyan's humiliation and the impossible terms of Yuan Zuxin's demand. The path of the 'rarest pantao' was clear, no matter how much blood he had to spill. He bowed his head, accepting his destiny.