C13 The Master Is the Teacher!

At the crack of dawn the next day, the group of five departed from the inn and went their separate ways just outside the city gates.

Bei Jinyi expressed her gratitude to Lin Yuanjian and Zhang Wuji repeatedly for their rescue. Zhou Zhiruo, meanwhile, found it hard to leave, her gaze lingering on Zhang Wuji.

Ding Minjun wore an expression of perpetual grievance, as though someone owed her a fortune, and hadn't uttered a single word of thanks. Zhou Zhiruo was clearly smitten with Zhang Wuji, and it showed in her every move and glance, while Ding Minjun's face seemed to broadcast a clear message of disdain.

Her ambition to become the next leader of the Emei Sect wasn't new; Ji Xiaofu had once been a thorn in her side, and after her demise, Ding Minjun had hoped to gain the favor of the Destroying Senior Nun. But then Zhou Zhiruo came along.

Lin Yuanjian couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her. After over a decade of devoted service to the Destroying Senior Nun, she had never once received so much as a glance of acknowledgment.

But the fault wasn't entirely with others. Ding Minjun was known for her pettiness and lack of generosity, and her talents were nothing extraordinary. How could someone so unremarkable aspire to lead a sect? The Destroying Senior Nun wasn't blind; she wouldn't choose Ding Minjun to lead the Emei Sect even if there were no other disciples left.

"Brother Wuji, you must visit me at Emei when you have the chance," Zhou Zhiruo whispered before hurrying after Ding Minjun and Bei Jinyi, her cheeks flushed with emotion.

Zhang Wuji fondly touched the scented handkerchief in his pocket, his face a portrait of reluctance.

Lin Yuanjian couldn't resist teasing him, "Why not accompany her back to Emei?"

Zhang Wuji sheepishly scratched his head, "Master is jesting. Duty calls, and personal matters must be set aside."

"Let's be on our way then," Lin Yuanjian said, striding onto the main road.

An hour later, they arrived at the entrance to the Celestial Eagle Cult's main altar.

"Halt! This is the Celestial Eagle Cult's main altar. Trespassers will be executed on sight," declared two men clad in the cult's attire, blocking Lin Yuanjian and Zhang Wuji's path.

Zhang Wuji stepped forward, hands clasped in greeting, "Brothers, I am Zhang Wuji, grandson of the Eagle King, your sect master. This is my master. Please, grant us passage."

"You claim to be the grandson of our Sect Master Yin?" One of the guards looked skeptical, his eyes brimming with doubt.

After exchanging a glance with his fellow disciple, he said, "Please wait here while I report this." Though skeptical, he dared not dismiss them outright—what if Zhang Wuji's claim was true?

Shortly after, the guard returned with a bald, middle-aged man in tow.

"Altar Master Bai, this is the man," the guard murmured before resuming his post.

The newcomer was none other than White Turtle Shou, the Black Tortoise Altar Master of the Celestial Eagle Cult. He scrutinized Zhang Wuji with a mix of surprise and suspicion, then glanced at Lin Yuanjian before saying, "So, you're Zhang Wuji? You do bear a resemblance to the hero Zhang. Very well, come with me."

Zhang Wuji glanced at Lin Yuanjian, and upon receiving a nod, he said, "Then I would appreciate it if Altar Leader Bai could show us the way."

In the spacious and well-lit hall, Lin Yuanjian and Zhang Wuji were seated as guests, sipping the hot tea a maid had just brought over.

"Why has Altar Leader Bai been gone so long?" Zhang Wuji set down his cup, looking puzzled.

"He's likely verifying your identity," Lin Yuanjian replied leisurely, sipping his tea. "The six great sects see the Celestial Eagle Cult as an offshoot of the Bright Cult, and there's plenty of tension. At such a sensitive time, it would be quite the issue if a spy slipped through, wouldn't it?"

"You speak wisely, Master," Zhang Wuji agreed, nodding as he resumed his tea.

Before long, White Turtle Longevity entered the hall with an elderly servant.

Upon seeing the servant, Zhang Wuji sprang to his feet, exclaiming joyfully, "Uncle Wu Fu!"

"My goodness, Young Master Wuji, it truly is you!" The old servant was none other than Wu Fu, one of Yin Susu's three servants from years past.

White Turtle Longevity was taken aback, "It's really Young Master Wuji?"

Wu Fu, filled with emotion, affirmed, "Indeed. I had the honor of meeting Young Master Wuji several times when I was sent to Wudang to deliver wedding gifts. Years have passed, and he has grown, but I remember his features well. Just look at his eyes—they bear such a resemblance to the young mistress!"

White Turtle Longevity murmured to himself, "Is that so? I hadn't noticed."

"I'll go inform the Sect Master immediately," Wu Fu said, rushing off in excitement.

White Turtle Longevity turned to Zhang Wuji, "My apologies, Young Master Wuji. I couldn't bring you to the Sect Master without confirming your identity first. I hope you can forgive my caution."

Zhang Wuji smiled, "No offense taken. Altar Leader Bai, your loyalty and dedication command respect."

"Young Master Wuji, is this your esteemed teacher?" White Turtle Longevity now turned his surprised gaze to Lin Yuanjian.

"Indeed, he is," Zhang Wuji confirmed.

Lin Yuanjian finished his tea with a slight smile, "Does Altar Leader Bai not see the resemblance?"

Certainly not! White Turtle Longevity thought to himself, but outwardly he disagreed, "Not at all. The martial world is vast, filled with extraordinary individuals. As the Tang Dynasty scholar Han Yu once said, 'In the teacher's way, who can say who was born first?' A true master cannot be judged by age alone."

Watching White Turtle Longevity recite the words of Han Yu with such animation, Lin Yuanjian couldn't help but chuckle, "My apologies for the slight. I never would have guessed that Altar Leader Bai, a warrior, would be so well-read."

"Altar Leader Bai speaks the truth!" Zhang Wuji applauded, laughing heartily in agreement.

"Too kind, too kind," White Turtle Longevity demurred. "Let's proceed to meet the Sect Master now."

...

"What? Wuji? My dear grandson has come?" The white-haired elder seated at the head of the grand hall leaped to his feet. This imposing figure, clad in a brocade robe, with long, sword-like white eyebrows and piercing eyes, could only be the white-browed Eagle King, Yin Tianzheng.

"Yes, Sect Master," Wu Fu confirmed. "I have personally verified that he is indeed Young Master Wuji."

Yin Tianzheng was ecstatic, "Wonderful!" He had longed to see his grandson Zhang Wuji for quite some time.

"Dad, hasn't Wuji always been at Wudang Mountain? Why did he suddenly show up at the headquarters?" Yinn Yewang, seated to the side, asked with a hint of confusion.

"He probably missed his grandfather and decided to pay a visit," chuckled a grey-robed elder sitting opposite Yinn Yewang. The man was Yinn Tianzheng's junior brother, Lee Tianyuan, whose prowess was nearly on par with Yinn Tianzheng himself. To call him the second most formidable master in the Celestial Eagle Cult wouldn't be far-fetched.

Yinn Tianzheng turned to Wu Fu and inquired, "Did Wuji come by himself?"

Wu Fu paused to consider before replying, "There's a young man accompanying Young Master Wuji. I heard from Altar Master Bai that he appears to be Young Master Wuji's teacher."

Yinn Yewang was taken aback, "Isn't Wuji a Wudang disciple? Has he become a student of Mo Shenggu?"

Wu Fu shook his head, "No, I've met the Seven Heroes; I would not fail to recognize him. That young man seems to be about the same age as Young Master Wuji."

"What?" Now Yinn Tianzheng, Lee Tianyuan, and Yinn Yewang were all thoroughly bewildered.