Gou Zai Wu Dao Chao Shi Xing Nian Da Gong

In the evening, Zhou Sheng tidied up and prepared to go home.

But Zhao Xiong was waiting outside the door. As soon as he saw him, Zhao Xiong came forward and warmly invited him, saying, "Junior Brother Zhou, some time ago, I was young and impetuous and acted rashly, which offended you. Tonight, I'll host a dinner at Zuixianlou to apologize to you. Please don't hold a grudge."

Zhou Sheng smiled kindly and declined, saying, "Senior Brother Zhao, you're overthinking it. I never took what happened before to heart. There's no need for a banquet; your kindness is enough. I have some things to take care of at home, so I'll head back now."

He felt that Zhao Xiong was too calculating and couldn't possibly be sincere towards him; he was just trying to win him over because he was useful. He didn't want to get too entangled with him.

Moreover, he felt that his master's plan to groom him as a successor was not a good one.

Zhou Sheng also wanted to be the heir.

He hadn't had such ambitions before, but after listening to his grandfather's words that day, he had more plans for the future. He also wanted to contribute more to the family. Since he couldn't start his own business, controlling the Hammer Cloud Martial Arts School was undoubtedly more important than any other business.

Of course, the most important factor in competing for the succession is martial arts cultivation. Zhao Xiong possesses superior physical attributes and is also the last disciple of the sect, giving him an advantage in this aspect.

However, Zhou Sheng wasn't afraid. He had his grandfather. His cultivation level wouldn't improve slowly either.

Once he becomes the top martial arts master in the school, it will be hard to say who his master will choose as his successor!

Therefore, he will have to compete with Zhao Xiong sooner or later, so there's no need to cultivate a good relationship. He should also be careful in general to avoid being plotted against by the other party.

...

After Zhou Sheng left, Zhao Xiong's face quickly darkened.

"That Zhou Sheng is so ungrateful! How dare he refuse me? Does he think he's so important just because Master praised him a few times?"

"Just you wait, once I break through this barrier, let's see if you still dare to act arrogantly towards me!"

Zhao Xiong snorted coldly, turned around and left.

......

Evening, in the Zhou family's backyard.

Zhou Sheng told his grandfather about his plans.

"You want to become the heir to the Hammer Cloud Martial Arts School?"

Zhou Fugan was slightly surprised after hearing this.

His plans for Zhou Sheng certainly didn't stop at just making him the heir to a martial arts school, but since his grandson had his own ideas, he had to support him. Consider it a learning experience.

So he praised it, and then asked, "Your idea is good, ambitious. But do you know the difficulties involved?"

"I know. The biggest difficulty in competing for the succession is cultivation level. Zhao Xiong has superior aptitude and his cultivation level is improving rapidly. But with my grandfather's help, I don't think I'm too far behind him. And I have strong combat skills, so I'm sure my master will consider me," Zhou Sheng answered confidently.

Zhou Fugan shook his head in denial, "Wrong! Cultivation level is not the biggest difficulty."

Zhou Sheng was taken aback and puzzled. "Cultivation level isn't the biggest difficulty? Then what is the biggest difficulty?"

"The biggest difficulty is prejudice."

"Prejudice?" Zhou Sheng was even more confused.

"right."

Zhou Fugan's expression turned serious as he explained, "You have inferior aptitude, while Zhao Xiong has superior aptitude. Even if your cultivation progresses faster than his, others won't consider you stronger. They'll say it's useless to be strong now; your potential isn't enough, and you'll never be able to surpass Zhao Xiong in the future. Master Chen will still regard Zhao Xiong as his successor. That's prejudice."

"Besides, even with my help, you'll at most not fall too far behind him, and it will be difficult to surpass him in the early stages. Then you'll have even less chance to compete with him for the inheritance of the martial arts school."

"How could this be!"

Zhou Sheng's heart sank upon hearing this, realizing that his grandfather's words made a lot of sense.

"That's human nature. That's just how reality is. It's good that you have ambition, but before you achieve it, you need to learn to lie low and hide your talents," Zhou Fugan explained.

"Hiding in hiding? Concealing one's talents?" Zhou Sheng wondered.

Zhou Fugan said seriously, "Like today, Zhao Xiong invited you to a banquet, but you didn't accept. There's nothing wrong with that; you don't have to compromise on things you don't like. But in other people's eyes, it makes you seem arrogant and disdainful. Others will distance themselves from you because of this. If Master Chen finds out, he'll also think you're wrong. Between Zhao Xiong and you, who do you think he would choose?"

"I!"

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Sheng gave a somewhat dejected reply.

"That's right. Master Chen will definitely give up on you. Because in his eyes, Zhao Xiong is the most important. If you can become Zhao Xiong's assistant, you will have value. If you become an obstacle to Zhao Xiong, then you will be an unstable factor for the future of the martial arts school and need to be eliminated."

"So, if you want to be the successor of the martial arts school, then your enemy is not just Zhao Xiong, but everyone in the school, including Master Chen."

Zhou Fugan said calmly.

"What should I do?"

Zhou Sheng quickly asked.

Zhou Fugan smiled slightly, "It's very simple. Great things don't come from trivial matters. You need to learn how to do the outward work first. For example, first cultivate a good relationship with Zhao Xiong on the surface, showing that you won't compete with him. Put Master Chen at ease, and earn the admiration of others. Make Zhao Xiong lower his guard. It's best to praise him highly, because the higher you're praised, the harder you'll fall."

"I know, you want your brother to be the treacherous villain in the storybook!" Zhou He, who was practicing his martial arts nearby, finally couldn't stand it anymore and laughed.

Zhou Fugan immediately lost his temper and scolded, "You brat, get out of here. What do you mean by 'treacherous villain'? Treacherous villains do bad things. We don't do bad things."

"Hehe, I got it." Zhou He turned around and continued cultivating.

"..."

Zhou Fugan looked at his grandson with a headache. He didn't know who the boy took after, but he was really quite unruly. He wondered what he would become in the future.

"How about I explain things to Zhao Xiong tomorrow and then treat him to a meal?"

Zhou Sheng nodded thoughtfully and said.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Fugan waved his hand, a hint of arrogance on his face, and said, "There's no need for that. Just be a little more careful in the future. Don't forget, you still have your grandfather behind you. What's so special about being a mere martial arts school heir? It's not worth my grandson trying to curry favor with anyone."

"I understand, Grandpa!"

A glint flashed in Zhou Sheng's eyes, and his expression hardened.

"Um."

Zhou Fugan nodded. "Consider this a test. If you can change people's prejudices and make them treat you and Zhao Xiong as equals, then you've succeeded."

......

The next day, early in the morning.

Zhou Shenggang had just arrived at the entrance of the martial arts school when he happened to run into Zhao Xiong.

"Junior Brother Zhou, how are things at your home? Do you need my help?"

Zhao Xiong greeted them with a forced smile. He was still angry about what happened last night and deliberately spoke in a sarcastic tone.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Sheng smiled warmly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Zhao. The family matter has been resolved." He seemed completely oblivious to the hidden meaning in Zhao Xiong's words.

Zhao Xiong's smile froze. Did this kid really think I cared about him? Was he that straightforward?

However, since Zhou Sheng had said that, he couldn't say anything more, so he just laughed it off and said, "It's good that it's resolved."