Proving God begins with the principle that no effort is wasted.

Chapter 57 Removal

Dusk fell.

With a thick bandage on his right arm, Zhao Heng walked slowly from the side room into the courtyard.

He could barely get out of bed and walk around. His injuries had not yet healed, but the pride, resentment, and unwillingness in his heart had long since twisted into a knot, completely distorting his mind.

He had lost all his former self-restraint as the senior disciple, and his eyes were full of sinister and violent energy, like a ferocious beast with broken wings trapped in a cage, looking at everyone with a hint of hostility.

The training ground was not yet deserted. Several junior disciples were packing up their weapons and talking in hushed tones. When they saw Zhao Heng come out, they all subconsciously lowered their voices and avoided eye contact.

In the center of the arena, Shen Qing was bending down to put away his longsword, his fingertips tracing the cool blade, his movements steady and restrained. He hadn't been a disciple for long, and was quiet and taciturn, always focusing on his training and never getting involved in the interpersonal conflicts or ranking disputes within the martial arts school.

Sensing the shadow looming behind him, he glanced up and recognized Zhao Heng. He immediately stepped back half a step, respecting the etiquette between fellow disciples, and said nothing more.

Zhao Heng's gaze was fixed on the long sword in Shen Qing's hand, and a disdainful snort rolled from his throat, breaking the silence of the training ground.

"Now that I'm a cripple, even the new recruits at the martial arts school dare to brazenly take my favorite weapon and block my path of training?"

Shen Qing gripped the hilt of his sword, his expression remaining calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant: "Weapons in the martial arts school are for public use, and no one has ever been allowed to keep them for themselves. Senior Brother Zhao, you flatter me."

"It's not my turn?"

Zhao Heng suddenly took a step forward, his tall figure pressing down heavily, enveloping Shen Qing in shadow. His tone suddenly became sharp, and his long-suppressed emotions instantly reached a breaking point.

"I have studied diligently under my master for many years. In terms of seniority and foundation, in every aspect, am I not superior to you?"

"I shielded the martial arts school from disaster, risking my future, and in the end, I'm not as fortunate as you, an outsider who joined halfway through, who can comfortably occupy the resources and cultivate here?"

He had been harboring resentment for a long time, and now, using the weapon as an excuse, he vented all his emotions. His body was filled with murderous aura, his eyebrows and eyes were ferocious, and he had long lost all the composure and restraint that a martial artist should have.

Shen Qing knew he was feeling frustrated and didn't want to argue in public and make things more awkward, so she stopped talking and silently turned away, intending to avoid this unnecessary trouble.

But his concession and silence were interpreted by the stubborn Zhao Heng as tacit agreement, as silent contempt and disdain.

"You, like everyone else, look down on me, this good-for-nothing, don't you?!"

Zhao Heng's eyes instantly turned bloodshot, a surge of madness welling up within them, his reason completely consumed by resentment.

Before Shen Qing could move away, his remaining intact left hand suddenly swung out, without any martial arts moves, only with the brute force of venting his anger, aiming straight for Shen Qing's face.

A strong wind rushed towards us, its force overwhelming.

Shen Qing reacted swiftly, his body shifting to the side and leaping away, deftly avoiding the brutal attack. He adhered to the bonds of brotherhood, choosing to defend rather than attack, unwilling to fight the injured Zhao Heng.

The two suddenly grappled and confronted each other, instantly drawing the attention of all the disciples present. Everyone who had been chatting quietly and tidying up their equipment stopped what they were doing, turned to look, their faces filled with astonishment, and dared not even breathe.

Footsteps approached steadily from under the eaves.

"stop."

Liu Changqing spoke, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable pressure that instantly suppressed the chaotic atmosphere in the training ground.

Upon hearing the sound, Shen Qing immediately composed himself, took two steps back, and stood with his head bowed.

Zhao Heng, however, seemed to have his most vulnerable spot pierced. Instead of showing any restraint or fear, he suddenly turned his head and met Liu Changqing's gaze directly. His eyes held no respect for his master, only resentment and stubbornness.

"Master, you've come at the right time." His tone was harsh, full of defiant hostility. "Now that I'm a cripple, in your eyes, I probably no longer have a place as your disciple, right?"

Liu Changqing's eyes darkened slightly as he looked at the injured arm that was in a sling. His tone was stern: "Your injury has not yet healed. Instead of resting in your room, you went to the training ground to provoke your fellow disciples in public. You are too presumptuous."

"presumptuous?"

Zhao Heng threw his head back and let out a cold laugh, his voice hoarse and dry, filled with endless self-mockery and resentment.

"Ha! Where did I act presumptuously? Back then, when Cangsong Martial Arts School was deliberately seeking revenge, I stepped forward without hesitation to stand in for Li Yan and shield the school from that calamity!"

"Now, the major tendons in my right arm are severed, and my meridians are damaged. I will never be able to pursue martial arts again and will be reduced to a half-crippled person!"

"And you sit comfortably in your martial arts school, taking on many new disciples and carefully nurturing the younger generation, watching me gradually decline. Doesn't that make you feel exceptionally comfortable?"

Every word was barbed, every sentence was piercing, completely disregarding the master-disciple relationship, tearing open and laying bare all the dissatisfaction, suspicion and resentment that had been hidden in his heart for a long time, without showing any mercy.

The disciples on the sidelines were terrified, holding their breath and exchanging bewildered glances.

No one expected that the eldest brother, who was highly regarded by his master in the past, would contradict his master in public like this!

Whispers gradually rose from the crowd, and everyone's eyes were filled with shock, disbelief, and a hint of fear and unease.

Sun Gengsan frowned deeply, his fists clenched tightly. He wanted to persuade Zhao Heng, but seeing Zhao Heng's irrational state and Liu Changqing's cold expression, he swallowed his words and dared not interrupt.

Jiang Lan stood rooted to the spot, his expression remaining calm and composed, taking in everything before him with unwavering composure. The martial arts school was in turmoil, with unspoken rivalries for rankings, tensions between master and disciple, and undercurrents of power—all hidden within this standoff.

Looking at the out-of-control and frenzied Zhao Heng, Liu Changqing's eyes flashed with weariness. His tone softened slightly, carrying a hint of persuasion: "I know you harbor resentment, and I understand your unwillingness to let go of your martial arts future. But the martial arts have their own rules, and your sect has its own boundaries. Focus on recovering from your injuries, calm your mind, and behave yourself. I will take good care of you for the rest of your life and will not mistreat you."

"Placement?"

Zhao Heng seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world. His eyes were filled with madness that completely spiraled out of control, and he fell into extreme obsession.

"The so-called placement is nothing more than locking me in a side room, confining me like an idle person! Watching Shen Qing, Sun Gengsan, and others rise step by step, taking my place, and stealing the cultivation opportunities and the sect's favor that should have been mine!"

"I risked my life for the martial arts school, and you've never intended to truly make up for what you owe me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he could no longer suppress the murderous intent in his heart. Ignoring his old injuries, he suddenly charged forward with an unreasonable and wild force. His left hand lashed out in the air, directly and fiercely attacking Liu Changqing's face.

To defy authority in public and to commit treason.

The training ground fell into a deathly silence.

All the disciples' expressions changed drastically at once, they gasped, their eyes filled with extreme shock and fear. In a martial arts school, the master and disciple are like father and son. To disobey one's master and attack him with one's bare hands is an age-old taboo, enough to result in expulsion from the school and becoming a laughing stock in the entire martial arts world.

Sun Gengsan's face turned deathly pale, and he leaned forward instinctively, his eyes filled with disbelief. Shen Qing's pupils suddenly contracted, and her brows furrowed; she hadn't expected Zhao Heng to be so insane.

Liu Changqing's eyes instantly turned icy cold, and the last trace of regret in his heart vanished completely.

Without dodging or avoiding, he subtly shifted his stance, deftly deflecting Zhao Heng's ruthless attack.

He then raised his hand, gathering his inner strength at his fingertips, and with a light touch, firmly imprinted himself on Zhao Heng's chest.

The force appears gentle and mild, but it is actually as heavy as a mountain.

"Bang!"

A dull, loud bang exploded.

Zhao Heng was already weak and frail, and his serious injuries had not yet healed, so he simply could not withstand this powerful internal force. His entire body was suddenly lifted off the ground, flying backward several feet like a kite with a broken string, and crashing heavily onto the cold blue brick floor.

His chest heaved, a metallic taste rising in his throat, nearly causing him to vomit blood. The sling over his shoulder was ripped apart by the force, the wound throbbing violently, and excruciating pain instantly swept through his body, turning his face deathly pale and causing fine beads of cold sweat to appear on his forehead.

He tried to struggle to his feet, but he was exhausted and his internal energy was disordered. He could only sit on the ground, raise his head, and stare at Liu Changqing with resentment in his eyes. He refused to bow his head or admit defeat.

Liu Changqing slowly stepped forward, looking down at him from his superior position, his gaze sweeping over the disciples in the arena who were holding their breath and looking shocked.

"They become arrogant because they are favored, and harbor resentment when they are frustrated."

"Disrespectful to teachers and elders, provoking fellow disciples, and having no regard for rules."

"Now he is consumed by rage and has lost his true nature, daring to attack his master."

"The way of martial arts begins with cultivating the mind, and the way of conduct begins with upholding propriety. Your mind has become skewed, and your violent nature has seeped into your bones. Keeping you under the tutelage will only disrupt the rules of the martial arts school and corrupt the minds of future generations."

His gaze fell heavily on Zhao Heng, and he spoke slowly and deliberately, his tone resolute, delivering his final verdict:

"From this day forward, I, Liu Changqing, hereby expel you from my martial arts school."

These words resounded like a thunderclap on the training ground.

Sun Gengsan's breath hitched, his expression a complex mix of regret and fear. Shen Qing lowered her eyes and stood silently, her heart heavy with turmoil.

Jiang Lan had already seen through it all.

With Zhao Heng expelled, the original structure of the martial arts school completely collapsed. The vacant training resources, disciple rankings, and the sect's favor will inevitably be reshuffled, and the covert competition and power struggles will only intensify.

Liu Changqing stood quietly in place, looking at Zhao Heng, who was slumped on the ground with resentment in his eyes, and then at the group of disciples who looked bewildered. His imposing manner gradually faded, and a layer of weariness and aging quietly rose in his eyes.

A few strands of frost at his temples stood out starkly in the twilight, and his back seemed to have hunched slightly.

Grudges, debts, rules, and human nature ultimately weighed him down, leaving him only with the marks of time and hardship, as he alone bore the weight of the martial arts school's turbulent future.

Having said that, he turned and left.

Jiang Lan stared at his master's slightly hunched back, his gaze momentarily frozen. At that moment, he truly felt that his master had really grown old.

……