Actually, this is related to personal experiences, Zhong Yuanliang was born into a martial arts family and, under the guidance of Zhong Wanshan, he avoided many detours and even experienced few setbacks, whereas Dugu Wushang's situation was different. Orphaned and alone from a young age, he relied solely on a secret tome of sabre techniques to cultivate his skills, relying on no one but himself.
Dugu Wushang grew up in an orphanage and, after being exposed to martial arts, believed that only through martial arts could he change his life. He was also fortunate, as he caught the eye of a Martial Arts Grandmaster who took him on as a disciple.
Although the Grandmaster was later killed by enemies, the martial arts he imparted to Dugu Wushang were fully comprehended by him.
In the world of martial arts, Dugu Wushang was more desperate than Zhong Yuanliang, because if Zhong failed, he still had his family to fall back on, but if Dugu failed, he had no such safety net.