Getting Stronger By Fighting-Chapter 475 Little Three Seven_1
Thus, the Old Man simply played along with Wang Zhan’s scheme, snorted coldly at him, his eyes brimming with ill intent. "Be more cautious in the future. Otherwise, in your dealings with others, you won’t just fail to gain much advantage, you’ll definitely end up suffering a great loss!"
Presently, the two of them seemed to tacitly agree to gloss over everything that had happened, as if nothing at all had transpired. The atmosphere was unusually harmonious!
But if the little brat standing beside them could have been replaced by any observant adult, even an ordinary person, they would have likely seen the truth with a single glance! These two individuals, appearing so at ease, exchanging unperturbed smiles as if genuinely earnest and sincere—their interaction was, in reality, fraught with treacherous undercurrents! All the hidden swords and spears were buried beneath their smiles. The only things they openly displayed were those smiles—each with distinctly different expressions and meanings, yet both seeming to convey a mutual, unspoken understanding. Though the sun shone brightly, it would undoubtedly and imperceptibly send a chill down the spine of anyone who witnessed it. This is probably what they mean by ’a dagger hidden behind a smile’! 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
Of course, as far as Wang Zhan was concerned, the Old Man’s earlier words had already conveyed his intentions to Wang Zhan with perfect, unmistakable accuracy. This time, because of the child’s presence, and to avoid ruining his reputation in his later years, the Old Man suffering a small loss was of little consequence to him. But next time, if that boy, Wang Zhan, dared to pull the same stunt again, trying to fool him with all sorts of nonsensical excuses... HUMPH! The Old Man’s warning would translate into actual action.
However, for Wang Zhan, this outcome only made the smile on his face even brighter. No big deal. Next time, I’ll just put a little more thought into it, cook up a couple more ideas, and give this Old Man a more suitable excuse to fool him!
How could the Old Man know that Wang Zhan had managed to fool him this time? Partly, it was because Wang Zhan had encountered some problems, so, left with no choice, he had to transform into a "black-hearted fox" version of himself and completely brush the matter aside. On the other hand, it was also because Wang Zhan, through his earlier observations of the Old Man, had already formed some tentative ideas. And now, he was merely testing the waters!
Of course, this process had somewhat exceeded Wang Zhan’s expectations. Because this Old Master Zao, whose mind was consumed with winning and losing—despite being eighty or ninety years old, he acted like a child of seven, eight, or nine. Alas, this appearance of senility seemed rather bleak, so bleak that even Wang Zhan felt a twinge of pity.
However, although the Old Man didn’t easily allow Wang Zhan to achieve his intentions, he simultaneously revealed another key weakness to Wang Zhan. Fame and fortune! It was just like that little wolf cub Wang Zhan had given Qin Ying—before it was even trained, it had already learned to roll over and show its belly to curry favor. Utterly adorable! Covered in spines, yet full of weaknesses! Truly endearing.
Therefore, for Wang Zhan, although he seemed to have humbled himself once again for no apparent reason, he had definitely achieved his goal! Because, on one hand, he had not only glimpsed some of the Old Man’s weaknesses. Of course, Wang Zhan would still verify these weaknesses bit by bit in their future interactions. After all, the one opposite him was also an old fox; it could well be a deliberately feigned vulnerability, a trap to lure Wang Zhan in. On the other hand, Wang Zhan had even discerned the Old Man’s Essence Energy recovery level, which was around fifty to sixty percent!
Wang Zhan’s gaze gradually deepened as he silently pondered. This means that in about two hours, he might recover about half his combat power? With this, his understanding of the intricacies of Martial Emperors in general had deepened further. He immediately made a secret resolution. Since a Martial Emperor Expert’s recovery speed is so formidable, almost inexhaustible and continuous, then if I get the chance, I’d better finish him off quickly. I need to prevent him from suddenly recovering his full strength and dragging me into a protracted battle. After all, who can be sure that in a battle of attrition, the opponent isn’t hiding some trump card, something that could kill in a single blow and unexpectedly turn the tables?
Although Wang Zhan himself was a character with cheat-like advantages, able to recover his Essence Energy and vital energy anytime, anywhere, one must never become arrogant.
However, what Wang Zhan hadn’t anticipated was that while his wishful thinking had ultimately come to fruition, the expert image he had constructed in Three Seven’s mind instantly collapsed, leaving nothing but a complete mess! And then there was the little brat, his eyes somewhat astonished before he quickly shut his mouth, his gaze becoming evasive.
Because, if Three Seven remembered correctly, the powerful Martial Artist big brother before him had clearly stayed in his own home for a full hour and a half without making any move at all. Therefore, even though Three Seven was just a nine-year-old child, his mature mentality immediately led him to a realization. In other words, if this big brother Martial Artist isn’t actually so powerful that he doesn’t need to meditate to rapidly recover his realm and strength, then isn’t he deceiving this Old Man before me? This Old Man who looks like he’s at death’s door, with his snow-white hair and beard and kind, benevolent features, yet somehow seems even more childish than me, a mere nine-year-old boy?
Of course, as the only little brat Wang Zhan had pulled out of this small city, although Three Seven didn’t understand many things, he understood one thing much more clearly than anyone else: he absolutely must not cause Wang Zhan to lose face. And he absolutely, positively must not reveal that Wang Zhan was deceiving someone. Otherwise, based on the understanding of Wang Zhan’s character that I’ve developed in the short time I’ve known him, I’m afraid he really would kill me to silence me, wouldn’t he?
So, Three Seven suddenly thought, No wonder my older brother always used to say that if a person isn’t smart, and lacks the flexible, cunning wisdom of a fox, then even if he becomes a Martial Artist, he’ll never be a formidable one. He’ll just be a Martial Artist who’s merely coasting along! Because those guys who only know how to show off their biceps are already dead the instant before a battle even begins! The ones who survive are the truly formidable characters, the kind who are one in a thousand, one in ten thousand.
So, this time, this little fellow, much like Wang Zhan who had also emerged from the slums, finally experienced a lesson in societal ways that no one can avoid or escape: a world of mutual deception!
Afterward, before Three Seven had even begun his journey on the path of martial arts, he had already gained a deeper understanding of the darker side of human nature. And ironically, the root of all this perceived wickedness came from the very big brother Martial Artist standing before him—the one who had brought him out, whom he was slowly beginning to accept, the one who had pulled him from the mire!
Therefore, for the first time, a clear thought formed in his mind: "No wonder my brother died... No wonder these true Martial Artists can become so incredibly powerful. So, it’s because... they’re really all like a bunch of old foxes!" After all, how can one successfully reach the West and obtain the scriptures without enduring the eighty-one tribulations?
For this reason, Three Seven gradually became enlightened. It was as if, building upon his already keen six senses, a seventh had awakened. And he understood what truly formed the solid foundation for becoming a powerful Martial Artist. Wisdom!
The changes in this little fellow were, naturally, also noticed by the other two. Instantly, the Old Man asked via voice transmission, "Boy, what are you doing bringing such a little brat back? There’s no place for him to survive in Quan State. Following us is a dead end for him..."
Wang Zhan’s lips moved slightly, and he responded to the Old Man in a voice Three Seven definitely couldn’t hear, "Just consider me a meddler! I came from the slums too. In fact, if it weren’t for some fortunate encounters I had, my fate might have been no better than his brother’s, at best..."
After listening, the Old Man remained silent for a while. He was a Martial Emperor, after all. And even the weakest Martial Emperor’s mental energy, in terms of solidity, would definitely surpass Wang Zhan’s. Not to mention, this Old Man before him actually hailed from the mysterious Qin Family—a Family that had always prided itself on its heritage of mental energy cultivation! Therefore, naturally, he had also seen, tucked inside the little brat’s backpack, something with his brother’s name crudely carved on it. Though it was just two words: ’Brother’!
So, the Old Man, in a rare moment, said to Wang Zhan, "His Talent is average, his vital energy is diffuse, but his strength lies in his spirit. However, at least ninety percent of his future prospects are likely to come to nothing. So, what’s his name?"
Wang Zhan’s lips curved slightly. "His nickname... Three Seven!"
A child with no name. However, it was also clear that the old fellow’s assessment of the little brat was almost identical to his own. The only difference was that Wang Zhan, who had mostly relied on his own tenacious will to get where he was, believed more than anyone that man’s determination can triumph over fate! Therefore, he didn’t care whether this little brat might die prematurely or lose hope of advancement. Because one thing I can be sure of is that someone with his background and willpower definitely won’t give up halfway.
Upon hearing Wang Zhan’s words, the Old Man mumbled to himself, "Three Seven... Three Seven... Three Seven... What kind of parent would give their child a name like that!"
