books44 Chapter 296 Memories
Chapter 296 Memories
Sima Xingzhe was lying on the bed, his face pale, but there was a bitter smile in his eyes.
He spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse, as if every word was weighed down with memories.
"Zhao Hui and I grew up in this town."
Sima Xingzhe's eyes were somewhat vacant, as if he were lost in the distant past. "His father was the owner of a well-known martial arts school in town, and I, because my father had a relationship with Master Zhao, I started studying at the school since I was a child."
Hu Qing and Gu Yang sat by the bed, listening quietly.
The room was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance, and the sunlight from outside the window shone through the gauze curtains, adding a touch of warmth to the heavy atmosphere.
"Zhao Hui and I have never gotten along since we were little."
Sima Xingzhe gave a bitter laugh. "We were not convinced of each other and often fought to decide the winner. I won less and he won more.
Every time I lose, I work harder, thinking I must win again next time."
Gu Yang couldn't help but laugh when he heard this: "It's normal for young people to be competitive."
Sima Xingzhe nodded and continued, "Later, we all grew up.
Zhao Hui fell in love with a girl, but that girl fell in love with me.
This incident made Zhao Hui dislike me even more, and he even began to hate me."
Hu Qing frowned and asked in a low voice: "What about you? What is your attitude towards that girl?"
Sima Xingzhe shook his head, with a hint of helplessness in his tone:
"I don't have that kind of feelings for her. But Zhao Hui didn't believe it. He felt that I had snatched away his beloved girl.
In order to make the girl give up her thoughts, I participated in the military selection.
At that time, there was only one spot available in Shenshui Town, and I thought Zhao Hui would not participate, but unexpectedly, he also came.
He was disheartened after his confession was rejected, and wanted to leave Waterdeep through the selection."
"What's the result?" Gu Yang asked curiously.
"In the end, I defeated him with one punch in the final duel."
Sima Xingzhe's tone was complicated. "He became even more hostile to me. I had no choice but to follow the army and leave Deepwater. I was gone for three years."
When Hu Qing heard this, a glint of understanding flashed in his eyes: "Three years is enough to change a lot of things."
Sima Xingzhe nodded, his tone heavy:
"Yes. A lot has happened in this town in the past three years.
Zhao Hui's father was killed by a monster in the wild. I learned about this when I received a letter from my father in the army.
I wanted to go back and see if I could reconcile with Zhao Hui.
Because I believe that time can smooth everything out.”
"But you couldn't go back?" Gu Yang asked.
Sima Xingzhe smiled bitterly and said, "The army was carrying out an important mission at that time, and no one was allowed to leave.
I missed Zhao Hui's father's funeral and missed the opportunity to reconcile with him.
The resentment between us is even more difficult to explain.”
After listening to this, Hu Qing was silent for a moment, then asked in a low voice: "What about now?
Your cultivation has been destroyed, and your body is so weak. Does Zhao Hui know your situation? "
Sima Xingzhe shook his head, with a hint of helplessness in his tone:
“He doesn’t know.
But given his personality, if he knew I was back in Waterdeep, he would definitely want to humiliate me in front of the whole city.
In my current state, I am no match for him."
Hearing this, Gu Yang couldn't help but clench his fists, with a hint of anger in his tone:
"This Zhao Hui is going too far!"
Inside the room, Sima Xingzhe still looked somewhat depressed, as if all hope had been taken away from him.
Hu Qing and Gu Yang looked at each other and thought secretly in their hearts.
After a moment, Hu Qing said, "Actually, we have a suggestion that may help you solve your current dilemma."
Sima Xingzhe raised his head, a hint of doubt in his eyes: "What proposal?"
Gu Yang smiled, with a bit of confidence in his tone: "Let me fight Zhao Hui on your behalf.
Anyway, we are all in the same army and at about the same level, so it's not bullying."
When Sima Xingzhe heard this, a glimmer of hope suddenly appeared in his eyes.
He hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice: "This...this is indeed a good idea.
But will Zhao Hui agree?"
Hu Qing smiled slightly, his tone firm: "As long as we accept the challenge, Zhao Hui will have no reason to refuse.
After all, the purpose of this competition is to settle the grudge between you, not simply to determine the winner."
Sima Xingzhe nodded, and hope seemed to be rekindled in his heart.
He took a deep breath and shouted to the outside of the door: "Butler!"
After a while, the butler hurried in and asked respectfully, "Master, what are your instructions?"
Sima Xingzhe said in a deep voice, "Send an invitation to Zhao Hui to compete at the martial arts arena in the town center in three days.
At the same time, notify everyone in the city to come and watch the battle.
I want to end this feud in front of everyone."
"Just tell Zhao Hui that since we've accepted the challenge, he has to abide by the rules.
You must first defeat one of his comrades, whose strength is at the middle stage of Jindan, before you can continue to challenge him." Gu Yang rubbed his forehead and said calmly.
When the butler heard this, a hint of surprise appeared on his face, but he quickly regained his composure.
He nodded and said respectfully, "Yes, Master, I'll do it right away."
After the housekeeper left, Gu Yang patted Sima Xingzhe on the shoulder and said with a smile:
"Don't worry, I'm here and I will never embarrass you."
Sima Xingzhe nodded gratefully, his voice choking with emotion as he said, "Thank you both so much. If it weren't for you, I really don't know what I would have done."
Hu Qing waved his hand and said calmly, "It's just a small favor.
However, the purpose of this competition is not only to settle the feud, but more importantly to find out the problem behind Zhao Hui."
Gu Yang frowned slightly when he heard this: "A Qing, are you saying that... there might be something wrong with Zhao Hui?"
Hu Qing nodded, with a hint of deep meaning in his eyes:
"Zhao Hui's resentment came too suddenly and was too strong.
I suspect there may be someone behind him fanning the flames.”
When Sima Xingzhe heard this, a trace of shock flashed in his eyes:
"You mean... someone is deliberately trying to sow discord between Zhao Hui and me?"
Hu Qing did not answer directly, but stood up, walked to the window, and stared at the treetops in the distance.
There were several vague gazes staring in their direction.
"The story of Waterdeep seems to be more complicated than we thought."
Hu Qing said in a low voice, with a hint of solemnity in his tone.
Gu Yang also stood up, walked to Hu Qing's side, and asked in a low voice:
"Ah Qing, what should we do next?"
Hu Qing smiled slightly, his tone filled with confidence: "Wait, wait for Zhao Hui to accept the challenge, and wait for the competition to begin in three days.
Then, everything will come out.”
Sima Xingzhe looked at the backs of the two people, and suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of security in his heart.
He took a deep breath and whispered, “Thank you for this time.
No matter what the outcome is, I will face it calmly."