Instantly, Wen Penglai launched himself at Hui. His sword transformed into a blaze of light, darting for Hui’s heart.

Hui jumped back, operating the Pond Reflecting Waltz on instinct. Using the time-freeze step, he dodged to the side, and Wen Penglai’s sword went wide.

Chen Wuya dug his claws into Hui’s hair. “What is that, huh? Why aren’t you using the Seven Steps?”

“Senior… the Seven Steps are suited for attacking, not dodging! You can’t blame me—”

Chen Wuya stomped on his head. “They’re suited for all kinds of combat scenarios. You aren’t trying to use the Seven Steps! Instead, you’re wasting your energy coming up with shortcomings that don’t exist. How can you know what my steps are suited for if you never try to use them, except in aggressive close combat?”

“That’s true, but—”

“Do you want my help or not? Use the Seven Steps!” Chen Wuya barked.

“Yes!” Hui responded, straightening. I’m not good at close combat! I don’t like it! I can’t do it! I—

I’m defeating myself before I even start. If I don’t try now, when will Senior ever try to help me again? I need to take advantage of this opportunity and learn the most from it. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even become somewhat able to handle a sword after this!

Taking a deep breath, Hui settled his qi. He adjusted his feet, moving into the firm-footed first form of the Seven Steps instead of leaning his weight backward, the way he would to perform the mysterious and swaying forms of the Pond Reflecting Waltz.

“That’s more like it. Now then, are you going to rely on your strange talisman technique, or learn these moves with your body?” Chen Wuya asked.

Hui glanced at the judge overhead, then at Wen Penglai. “I can’t be sure yet, Senior. If I can face this Wen Penglai without it, I’ll try that… but he is a long-trained swordsmaster. All I can do is cheat and use shortcuts against someone like that… the same as I did against Xin Mobing in the first round.”

“Mmm. Well, I can’t disagree with that,” Chen Wuya allowed. He nodded. “Let me know when you’re swapping styles.”

“Yes!” Hui replied.

Wen Penglai spun around and charged again. This time, Hui used the Seven Steps and strode forward rather than back. I remember this attack. I… can handle it! He lifted his beating stick to meet Wen Penglai’s blade, using the weight and thickness of the blunt rod to deflect the lighter and more flexible sword away from his body. The bell chimed, and Wen Penglai’s expression turned strange, only for a moment.

“Now. Attack!” Chen Wuya snapped.

Hui thrust his beating stick forward, landing a thudding blow on Wen Penglai’s chest. Wen Penglai twisted away from it, dispelling the force of the blow. Hui sent a pulse of qi into the bell, forcing it to chime again. Wen Penglai stumbled, taken off guard.

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“The Second Step!” Chen Wuya shouted.

Drawing back his beating stick, Hui struck a home run blow into Wen Penglai’s chest. A rib cracked under the full weight of his strike.

Wen Penglai jumped back, raising his sword, eyes alert and on guard. The way he stood and moved, I could have sworn he had no experience with a weapon. That was merely a façade! I let my guard down. I won’t make that mistake again.

Chen Wuya hummed. He glanced down. “How are you doing?”

“Eh? I wasn’t hit,” Hui said, confused.

“No, I mean… hmm. Usually, children have trouble with the first time they seriously injure someone,” Chen Wuya said calmly.

“Ah! Well, this isn’t exactly my first time. And besides, Senior, isn’t it the way of the world for people to break bones and gather bruises?” Hui said, completely unbothered. Why would I have trouble with hurting people? I’ve been hurt enough to know what it feels like. Obviously, if I’m not the one hurting, I’ll be the one getting hurt! I know Senior thinks I’m a delicate flower, and I do prefer attacking at range, but it’s not as if I have any real qualms with dealing damage.

Chen Wuya snorted. “You’re an odd duck.”

“Quack!”

Hui scowled. “Senior, please.” I’m trying not to advertise that Weiheng Hui is here, no?

Wen Penglai darted in again. Hui raised his beating stick.

“It’s a feint. Look at his feet! He isn’t doing the same attack. Be prepared,” Chen Wuya murmured.

Hui jumped back, adding more distance between himself and Wen Penglai. Shit. I don’t like this. Not having time to think or react… Ugh. Close-quarters combat is the worst.

Chen Wuya stomped on his head. “Running away? Coward!”

“Yes,” Hui agreed.

Wen Penglai caught up and released a slash. Hui raised the beating stick, but too slowly. A gash opened up in his stomach.

He jumped back again, buying time for his wounds to close. His heels hit the edge of the tournament floor. Wen Penglai’s eyes glittered as he closed in.

“Alright, never mind. Start using those talismans of yours. Use one when I say. Ready?” Chen Wuya said.

Hui nodded. He assumed the first stance. Lifting one hand off his beating stick, he drew the two talismans on his chest in qi. The two designs glowed, one next to the other.

A beam of light shot toward his heart. Wen Penglai grinned in victory. “A barrier talisman won’t save you!”

“Now. Third Step!” Chen Wuya shouted.

Hui activated his talisman. Glowing lines of blue grew from his chest and connected his limbs together. His body moved on its own, even his qi flowing according to its own desires. Hui gave himself to the talisman’s power and strode forward, striking out with his beating stick at the same time.

Wen Penglai struck him through the shoulder. Pain sparked, but Hui didn’t flinch, caught in the grips of the talisman. His shoulder immobilized Wen Penglai’s sword, and he smashed his beating stick into Wen Penglai’s gut. Wen Penglai went flying, sword left behind in Hui’s shoulder.

Hui looked up at the judge.

The judge raised his hand. Compared to the first time, there was a much more approving expression on his face. “Victory, Xing Huang.”

Ah! There we go. I put on a good enough fight with that to please the judges. As long as I use these talismans, I can succeed, and succeed enough to make it as a weapon-cultivator Peak Lord… somehow!

He pulled the sword out of his shoulder and threw it aside, rolling out his shoulder as the wound healed.

Hmm… I hope they won’t expect me to teach people weapon arts after this. He snuck a glance at Chen Wuya. Unless Senior decides to step in…

“Hmph. Just because I helped you this once, doesn’t mean I want to start my own group of disciples again. Besides, you saw how that worked out. Locked away, and my own sect forgetting I was ever Patriarch…” Chen Wuya muttered, annoyance creeping into his voice at the end.

“Ah, that’s true. I’ll claim that my preference is forging weapons. They shouldn’t turn that down,” Hui reasoned. Weapons forging is a rare art, and it aligns with my goal of destroying All-Heavens’ resources. In any case, I doubt every Peak Lord has to take on disciples. After all, look at Master! He only took one disciple, and he barely put any effort into raising me once he did!

Eh… though I feel like comparing anything and anyone to Master is a mistake…