C5 Wuji, Don't Use too Much Force!

"Wuji!" Soong Yuanqiao exclaimed with joy.

"Wuji pays his respects to all the esteemed uncles and grand-uncles!" Zhang Wuji said, his face alight with emotion. Yuu Lianzhou, Zhang Songxi, and others quickly surrounded him.

Yin Liting chuckled, "After all these years, Wuji, you've really grown up."

"We've been so worried, not hearing from you for so long," Zhang Songxi said, relief in his voice. "Thank heavens you're safe."

Mo Shenggu grunted in agreement, "Indeed. Had any misfortune befallen Wuji, I wouldn't know how to face Brother Five in the afterlife."

"Wuji, where have you been all these years?" Yuu Lianzhou inquired. "Your grand-uncle has exhausted every means to find news of you, to no avail."

Zhang Wuji sighed deeply, "It's a long story. My experiences over these years felt like a dream."

"We're delighted to see Sect Master Soong reunited with his nephew," the woman in green spoke up. "However, we must hurry back to Emei to report to our Master, so we'll take our leave now."

"Even so, travel safely," Soong Yuanqiao responded.

"Senior Sister Ding, the day has grown late. Perhaps we should set out tomorrow instead?" suggested the young girl, stealing a glance at Zhang Wuji.

The woman in green shot her a chilling look. "Silence. It's not your place to decide."

"Senior Sister Ding, Zhiruo has a point. It's too late for travel," the woman in white added.

Soong Qingshu, unable to take his eyes off Zhou Zhiruo, chimed in, "Indeed. Please, stay with us at Wudang for the night. I will personally escort you down the mountain tomorrow."

"Very well, we'll impose for one more night," Ding Minjun said, masking her irritation.

Lin Yuanjian caught Zhang Wuji exchanging looks with Zhou Zhiruo and couldn't resist appraising her himself. He had to admit, she was truly a beauty, ethereal and graceful.

Suddenly, Soong Yuanqiao's face registered surprise. "Ah, the Cold Poison that afflicted you..."

"The Cold Poison has been purged from my body!" Zhang Wuji stepped forward, introducing Lin Yuanjian to the group. "Esteemed uncles, grand-uncles, allow me to introduce my master. It was he who bestowed upon me the divine skills that cured the Cold Poison and saved my life."

Lin Yuanjian gave a modest nod and greeted with a fist salute, "I am Lin Yuanjian, honored to meet the renowned heroes of Wudang."

The Wudang members exchanged glances, their faces betraying their skepticism, but they returned the gesture courteously. Despite their reservations, their status as a prestigious sect demanded impeccable manners.

Having heard from Soong Qingshu about Zhang Wuji's young new master, they had convened at Yuu Daiyan's to witness for themselves the capabilities of this enigmatic teacher.

Soong Yuanqiao cleared his throat and began, "Little Brother Lin..." He paused, sensing the awkwardness, and corrected himself, "Mr. Lin, your aid to Wuji has earned Wudang's deepest gratitude. Uh... may I inquire about your lineage?"

The term 'Mr. Lin' hung oddly in the air. Soong Yuanqiao, nearly fifty and the leader of Wudang, was addressing a man who seemed barely an adult and virtually unknown in the martial world. Such a form of address among peers was indeed peculiar.

Lin Yuanjian was indeed Zhang Wuji's master, and in terms of seniority, he stood on equal footing with Soong Yuanqiao and his peers.

Zhou Zhiruo, Ding Minjun, and Bei Jinyi looked on with skepticism. Aside from his striking looks, this young man seemed unremarkable. After all, weren't they all masters in their own right?

Yet, Zhang Wuji treated him with utmost respect, his demeanor suggesting he truly regarded him as his master. Could there be more to this young man than met the eye?

When Soong Yuanqiao probed, Lin Yuanjian responded with ease, "I belong to no sect, just a hermit of the wilds."

Soong Yuanqiao and the others were taken aback, exchanging bewildered glances.

"What's the matter? Is something amiss?" Lin Yuanjian inquired.

After a moment of silent communication, Soong Yuanqiao spoke up, "Frankly, it's hard to accept someone so young as a teacher. Wuji may not have officially taken a master at Wudang, but he's one of us. As his elders, we'd prefer he learn from a renowned master. It's not that we underestimate you, but you'll need to demonstrate some skill to convince us."

"Don't underestimate my master," Zhang Wuji interjected. "He may be young, but his skills are formidable. If you wish to test him, I'll stand in his stead. I'm confident my performance will speak volumes about my master's prowess."

"What say you, Hero Soong?" Lin Yuanjian had no objections to Zhang Wuji's proposal.

Before Soong Yuanqiao could fully process the challenge, an eager Soong Qingshu stepped forward. "Father, allow me. It's been years since I've seen Wuji. I'm curious about his progress." Internally, he scoffed, "I have no way to deal with you, but Zhang Wuji? He's easy to handle."

Back in Wudang, Zhang Wuji's martial arts suffered greatly due to the torment of Cold Poison. How much could he have possibly improved in such a short time?

Soong Yuanqiao nodded, "Very well, but as fellow disciples, remember to pull your punches. No one gets hurt."

Lin Yuanjian added, "Wuji, go easy. You must learn to control your strength."

The onlookers fell silent, their thoughts echoing a similar sentiment—did they all expect Zhang Wuji to win?

From the bamboo bed, Yuu Daiyan cautioned, "Qingshu, don't underestimate him. I'm somewhat familiar with Wuji's recent experiences. His martial arts have vastly improved."

Soong Qingshu merely grunted, his demeanor unfazed, clearly not taking Yuu Daiyan's warning seriously.

The crowd shifted to the edges of the courtyard, clearing space for the impending duel.

Zhang Wuji and Soong Qingshu stood at a distance, the latter brandishing a sword, while the former remained unarmed.

"No need, Sixth Martial Uncle," Zhang Wuji declined. "I'll spar with Senior Brother Soong unarmed."

Soong Qingshu's anger flared. "Such arrogance!"

"Be careful, Senior Brother Soong," Zhou Zhiruo called out.

"Watch how I deal with this conceited fool," Soong Qingshu declared, brandishing his sword with a haughty air.

Having said that, he launched the first strike. His sword blazed with a dazzling light, the razor-sharp qi slashing towards Zhang Wuji like lightning.

Zhang Wuji deftly sidestepped, causing Soong Qingshu's sword strike to miss its mark.

Undeterred, Soong Qingshu instantly switched tactics, unleashing a relentless stream of sophisticated Wudang Sword moves. Sometimes they struck with the force of thunder, shaking one's very soul, other times they coiled like a venomous snake, relentless in their pursuit. His technique was a seamless blend of strength and suppleness, a clear indication that he had mastered the heart of his swordplay.

Soong Yuanqiao nodded in approval, obviously very pleased with his son's display.

"Soong Qingshu's martial arts have certainly progressed," Yuu Lianzhou commented admiringly.

Mo Shenggu chuckled, "I fear that in a few years, Qingshu might just outpace us all."

Yet through Lin Yuanjian's discerning eyes, Soong Qingshu's seemingly flawless swordplay was riddled with vulnerabilities—though such weaknesses were not apparent to just anyone, and even to those who could spot them, exploiting them was another matter entirely.

Zhang Wuji weaved in and out with the slipperiness of an eel, rendering Soong Qingshu's sword strikes futile.

After observing for some time, Soong Yuanqiao's face took on a grave expression. "Wuji's speed is astonishing!"

Zhang Songxi observed, "Energy ebbs after the initial burst, and without momentum, one's strength fades. If this stalemate continues, Qingshu will find himself in a tight spot."

"No more delays; we've given enough leeway. Time to wrap this up swiftly," Lin Yuanjian's voice discreetly reached Zhang Wuji's ears.

Zhang Wuji nodded subconsciously, spotted an opening in Soong Qingshu's technique, and thrust forward with a powerful palm strike.

Up until now, Zhang Wuji had been purely defensive, causing Soong Qingshu's attacks to miss and fray his composure.

Zhang Wuji's sudden shift to offense took Soong Qingshu by surprise. But even with a timely reaction, it would have made little difference—the outcome was inevitable, a testament to the gap in their abilities.

With a resounding crash, Zhang Wuji's palm connected with Soong Qingshu's shoulder, sending him flying back dozens of meters, crashing heavily into the courtyard wall. The wall crumbled with a thunderous noise, burying Soong Qingshu beneath the bricks.

"Qingshu!" A horrified Soong Yuanqiao rushed forward frantically.