Question after reading Gu Long's novel, Heroes Have No Tears:

Today, I finally finished reading "Heroes Without Tears" that I've always wanted to read. However, after reading the original work, I still have a lot of questions.
1. It is known that Xiao Gao is not related to Master Xiao by blood.
[Question: Is Xiao Gao the disciple of Master Xiao's third disciple who inherited the Tear Stain Sword?]
2. Already known: The original novel mentioned that Xiao Leixue was Master Xiao's "only son", and Xiao Gao inherited it from his third disciple (?) The "Tear Stain Sword" was destined to kill Xiao Leixue.
[Question: Why did the original novel write, when Zhuo Donglai died under the "Sword of Tears" at the end,"Could it be that he is also a relative of Master Xiao? Could it be that his father, whom he has never met before, is Master Xiao?" So when he died, the tear stains also disappeared?" Such a sentence? Some people said that Zhuo Donglai was born to Master Xiao's concubine and was taken away by an old man. Even Master Xiao himself didn't know that he had such a son. However, the original novel didn't mention this at all. So, what was Zhuo's background?
3. Knowing: The old man who took Zhuo Donglai away in the TV series was said to be Master Xiao's second disciple, but from the conversation between the old man and Zhuo Donglai, these three people were other people and had nothing to do with the old man.
Question: Who was the old man who carried Zhuo Donglai away? I think he should be Master Xiao's enemy. Because he wanted to take revenge on Master Xiao, he stole this son that even Master Xiao himself didn't know was born?
Regarding the original novel,"Heroes Have No Tears," Zhuo Donglai's conversation with his foster father was as follows:
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"Heaven's will is unpredictable, and heaven's might is unpredictable. There are many arrangements in the dark that humans can't resist." The old man's eyes revealed an indescribable fear."If Master Xiao destroys this sword, perhaps an even more terrifying disaster will befall his only son."
Zhuo Donglai's eyes sparkled."What did Master Xiao do with the sword?"
"Master Xiao has three disciples. The eldest disciple obtained his sword art and traveled all over the world to find all the sharp weapons." "I've also heard that there's an old man in Jianghu who sharpens his sword. He can predict good or bad luck with his sword. He's as effective as a god."
Zhuo Donglai said,"Master Xiao's eldest disciple must be him."
"Yes." The old man nodded."Master Xiao's second disciple, Shao Kong Zi, obtained his swordsmithing technique and later became a swordmaster."
"Shao Kong Zi?" Zhuo Donglai was visibly moved."The Master Shao who forged the Hook of Separation?"
"It's him." "These two people are rare geniuses, but Master Xiao passed his most prideful stabbing technique to his third disciple. He also passed Tears to him."
"Why should I pass it to him?"
"Because this person is not only broad-minded and benevolent, but his nature is also extremely indifferent. He has no desire for profit at all and never kills."
"He has already mastered Master Xiao's swordsmanship. Of course, no one can take Tears away from him," Zhuo Donglai said."Such a benevolent elder would definitely not hurt Master Xiao's only son. Moreover, when he was thirty years old, he had already hidden himself in the mountains, swearing that he would never step into the mortal world again. After he died, he would accompany Tears to be buried in the mountains."
"Which mountain is it?"
"I don't know." The old man said,"No one knows."
Zhuo Donglai sighed."It's because of this that the martial world has one less sword master and one less weapon. Is this the fortune of the martial world?" Or unfortunate?"
"But Xiao Leixue has survived."
"Yes." Zhuo Donglai said slowly,"No matter what, Xiao Leixue didn't die from the tears. At least he's still alive." Although his voice was also filled with sadness, his eyes were shining with excitement, as if he was a lecher who had seen a naked girl standing at the head of his bed.
When he raised his head to look at the old man in the gazebo, the old man seemed to have fallen asleep.
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Answer 1

Who was the protagonist in Gu Long's original novel, Heroes Without Tears?