His forbearance did not earn Su Chang any gratitude; instead, Su Chang felt that Shen Wenxing was mocking and insulting him.
Su Chang, though angry, was also secretly surprised.
The last time, more than ten days ago during practice, he had beaten Shen Wenxing soundly.
Yet, in the mere ten days that have passed, how has this lad suddenly become so much stronger?
With doubt in his mind, Su Chang returned to his seat.
On the surface, it seemed that the two were evenly matched, but anyone with a keen eye could tell that Shen Wenxing's strength had already surpassed his.
If they were similar in age and family background, it wouldn't be that surprising.
The key point is that he was older than Shen Wenxing and came from a better family. More importantly, being mocked in front of his fiancée made Su Chang feel humiliated.
With such a dazzling display, the subsequent paired practice seemed bland and tasteless.
At the end of a day's training, many disciples left the Martial Arts Arena.
Only Shen Wenxing stayed behind to continue his training.
His calm demeanor was his strength. The sudden surge of power in his body over the past few days had greatly increased his strength—a change that might have made other children of the same age arrogant.
Shen Wenxing did not.
He always believed that this unexpected power was the result of his efforts and hard work, so he worked even harder than before.
In the courtyard behind the Martial Arts Hall, after finishing her training, Huang Lingxiu eagerly ran back and reported today's events to Huang Qingzhou.
"Ah Die, Shi Tou Junior Brother is a fool. He could have defeated Su Chang and avenged his previous insults, yet he chose to be lenient."
"If it were me, I'd beat him so badly that even his parents wouldn't recognize him!"
Huang Lingxiu said indignantly.
She simply could not understand why Shen Wenxing did not seize the chance for revenge when he had it.
Looking at his daughter's angry expression, Huang Qingzhou softly shook his head.
"Let's go see the boy."
The father and daughter went to the front courtyard of the Martial Arts Arena. Seeing Shen Wenxing still training, Huang Qingzhou whispered, "See, even though Shi Tou is already strong enough, he continues to work hard."
"In terms of talent, you are no worse than Shi Tou; in terms of resources, you are far superior."
"If you could work as hard as he does, you might break through to Postnatal Martial Artist upon reaching the ceremonial age."
At these words, Huang Lingxiu pouted slightly.
She knew that hard work brings rewards, but the thought of the dullness and pain of training made her lose her enthusiasm.
"Ah Die, let's go over."
Not wanting to discuss the topic with her father, Huang Lingxiu quickly tugged him over to the Martial Arts Arena.
Seeing them arrive, Shen Wenxing slowly concluded his practice, approached them, and saluted, "Uncle, Senior Sister."
Huang Qingzhou nodded slightly and said, "Lingxiu said you sparred with Su Chang today?"
Shen Wenxing nodded.
"Although you had a chance to win, why did you choose to be lenient?"
"In a martial arts contest, the goal is to defeat the opponent in one move. Mercy and softness will only put you in danger."
Shen Wenxing was slightly taken aback but, seeing no reproach in Huang Qingzhou's expression, immediately saluted, "Uncle, I could easily defeat Senior Brother Su Chang, but I cannot do so."
"Why?" Huang Lingxiu asked, puzzled.
Shen Wenxing sighed, "Senior Sister should know that my family is just a regular farming household in Jinliu Village, whereas Su Chang's uncle is the County Magistrate of our Anyang County."
"He represents the authority in Anyang County. If I were to defeat him publicly and damage his reputation out of anger, he would likely bear a grudge."
"He seeking revenge is one thing, but if my family were to be dragged down... "
"By now, Mother should be due soon, and Father has enough to handle with feeding the whole family. I can't add more trouble."
Hearing these words, Huang Lingxiu fell silent.
In actuality, she was three years older than Shen Wenxing but had never considered such things.
To her, if a problem arose, her father would handle it, and if needed, her uncle in the military would intervene.
In Anyang County, as long as something wasn't a severe violation of Great Yu's laws, it wasn't considered a big problem.
She never thought there could be so many hidden troubles.
Huang Qingzhou's eyes were full of admiration.
He secretly envied Shen Yuan.
Such a young boy, yet calm and composed, shrewd and thoughtful—he is destined for extraordinary achievements.
To have such a son, how could one not prosper?
Regrettably, he had only two daughters. The elder one left home after becoming a Postnatal Martial Artist, sending letters occasionally detailing her safety, but her whereabouts remained unknown.
"Your concerns aren't incorrect, but there's one thing you've neglected."
Huang Qingzhou's expression suddenly turned serious as he spoke.
Shen Wenxing was confused and quickly saluted, "Please advise me, Uncle."
"You have neglected human nature." Huang Qingzhou sighed with his hands behind his back: "Human nature is the most complex thing."
"You thought that not defeating Su Chang publicly was saving his reputation."
"But Su Chang won't necessarily view it that way. With his character, he will only feel that you are mocking and humiliating him."
"This is far more difficult to accept than being defeated."
"That's how interactions between people work. If you're just a bit better than him, he'll envy you and plot against you."
"But if you're much stronger, so much so that it's unattainable, he'll simply admire and fear you."
"While restraint has its merits, excessive restraint only makes others think your sword isn't sharp and can't kill."
"This balance is yours alone to ponder and control."
Huang Qingzhou's advice conflicted slightly with Shen Yuan's teachings, leaving Shen Wenxing somewhat confused.
His father told him to be humble and low-key, yet Huang Qingzhou advocated appropriate assertion.
"Enough, don't disturb Shi Tou's training any further, let's go."
Huang Qingzhou said, then left with his daughter.
Shen Wenxing stood alone in the Martial Arts Arena, contemplating for a long time, and suddenly smiled.
Whether restraint or appropriate assertion is needed, isn't it up to oneself to control?
Ultimately, the power to decide comes down to one's own skills.
Skills are the greatest confidence; with skills, you can choose freely, and without them, you have no choice.
After understanding these principles, he resumed his training.
The next day, it was time to return home.
In the early morning, Shen Yuan drove the ox cart to the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall.
Shen Wenxing bade farewell to the masters at the Martial Arts Hall and boarded the ox cart, following Shen Yuan back to Jinliu Village.
"Ah Die, has Mother given birth yet?"
On this subject, Shen Yuan turned around with a smile, "Guess whether it's a brother or a sister?"
Shen Wenxing tilted his head and thought for a moment: "If it's a brother, I can teach him martial arts in the future; if it's a sister, she'll surely be as beautiful as Mom."
"Haha!" Shen Yuan turned around and mockingly scolded, "You little rascal, where did you learn such smooth talk?"
Shen Wenxing chuckled and scratched his head, "Senior Sister Lingxiu said, a Martial Artist is not a brute; they must be literate and knowledgeable. Over the past year at the Martial Arts Hall, in spare time, I sought advice from Senior Sister Lingxiu and borrowed some books from Uncle to read."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan rubbed his head affectionately.
At that moment, he felt that his son had grown up quite a bit.
"Your mother has given birth to both a brother and a sister."
"Ah!?" Shen Wenxing was astonished, opening his mouth wide.
Apparently, he didn't quite understand how one could give birth to two children at once.
"Your sister's name is Shen Wenping, and your brother's name is Shen Wen'an."
Upon receiving confirmation, Shen Wenxing was filled with excitement.
His heart had already flown back to Jinliu Village, impatient to meet his brother and sister.