Zhao Li’s eyes were still wide from the fight that just unfolded before her. As she sat, perched on the carriage, she had a perfect view of the clearing. Master Susu and the disciples danced back and forth, the disciples tried to hit Susu but she made quick work of them, not even sweating.
“MING LEI!” Luan shouted.
“Yes, Brother!”
They exchanged a quick glance, a silent understanding passing between them. With a sharp intake of breath, they both charged forward.
Luan released a combo of powerful kicks and strikes, forcing Susu to sidestep whilst twisting her body to evade. But that was what the martial brothers intended, Ming Lei danced forward, enshrouding his fingertips in Qi as Susu landed right in front of him.
Ming Lei’s fingertips grazed Susu’s arm, aiming to strike the acupoints in her forehand. He inhaled heavily, realising he’d missed as Susu twisted her body bending like a reed in the wind.
Susu caught Ming Lei’s wrist in one fluid motion. Then used his own momentum against him flinging him like a sack of rice into Luan. The two disciples collided with a bone-jarring thud, dirt and grass flying into the air as they tumbled in a heap.
Wei Zhen saw an opening and darted in, delivering a barrage of low, calculated kicks aimed at Susu’s knees and shins. She skipped back avoiding each kick with ease and the smallest of margins, stealing what little relief Wei Zhen had in actually hitting her.
Despite his missed attacks, he increased the speed of his kicks. It forced Susu toward Liu Fang, who’d recovered and sprung into the air. He appeared above Susu, his leg stretching out in a devastating axe-like arc.
He brought his foot down with deadly intent. Susu’s eyes flickered, a rare moment of surprise. She dropped to the ground just as Liu Fang’s foot smashed into the earth with enough force to send a spray of grass and soil flying.
Susu rolled beneath him and sprang back to her feet in a seamless motion, her elbow ramming into the small of his back. The crack echoed. Liu Fang grunted from the pain, stumbling forward, using the momentum to somersault and landing on his feet.
“Now that’s more like it!” Susu snapped, excitement painted across her face. She wasn’t a lover of fighting…but this was her first time seeing the younger generation in action. She enjoyed, seeing improvement…more than she anticipated. “Use your environment, use each other!”
Luan and Ming Lei finally disentangled themselves and instinctive joined Wei Zhen and Liu Fang. They spread into a loose square around their master. Their chests heaved with exertion, sweat slicking their brows, but there was no fear in their eyes—only determination.
As Luan and Ming Lei charged forward, Zhao Li found herself holding her breath. The way they moved was so different from the calm, measured steps of her father during his morning exercises. This was raw power, barely contained, like the rushing river near their home after a heavy rain.
Susu's gaze shifted between them, a small, amused smile pulling at the corner of her lips. “I am very satisfied with your progress…but I will not allow you into the Jianghu unless you force me to use my left hand…Come SHOW ME WHAT YOU CAN DO!”
Luan and Ming Lei attacked Susu from the air, their switched to claw attacks. Wei Zhen and Liu Fang attacked Susu’s lower torso, aiming for her knees and ankles.
Susu wove between their strikes with grace of flowing water, never in the place they expected her to be. She waved her right hand, deflecting Luan’s claw strike, then shifted her body subtly causing Ming Lei’s fingers to miss by mere inches.
She hooked her foot hooked behind Wei Zhen’s leg, forcing him off balance, then twisted her hips which sent Liu Fang sprawling past her.
Despite being dominated, the purple mist disciples kept pressing on. They didn’t want to go back to the purple mist sect, they wanted to enter the Jianghu!
The sound of combat echoed, rapid whoosh of missed strikes, muted thuds of blocked blows. Scraped feet against the disturbed earth. It was a relentless rhythm of disciples moving violently.
Ming Lei lunged, his fingers brushing the skin at Susu’s neck, a flicker of triumph in his eyes. At the same time, Wei Zhen’s foot swept behind her knee, unbalancing her, while Luan’s claw reached dangerously close to her face.
She spun, her arms and legs appearing like a small hurricane as she deflected another onslaught of antics, but counter attacking the lads with ease. She cursed under her breath as the lads flew backwards, hitting the trees in the background. “Enough,” she shouted, clearly annoyed with herself. “You made me use my left. You all past.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
The four disciples, bruised and breathless, scrambled to halt their attacks. They panted heavily, the evening air thick with the scent of exertion and crushed grass.
“You have potential, all of you.” Susu said calmly, her eyes scanning them. “But potential alone will not keep you alive in the Jianghu. You need discipline, focus, and above all, coordination.”
The disciples, sprawled out in various states of exhaustion, were gasping for air, their bodies aching from the relentless onslaught of their master’s precision. Luan, still on his knees, clenched his fists tightly, his breath heavy but measured. His pride was bruised, but he held his head high. Despite their defeat, the glimmer of respect in his eyes remained unwavering.
Susu took a slow breath, the tension in the air dissolving as she relaxed her stance. Her piercing gaze softened, and she regarded them with a look that bordered on admiration. “Well done. All of you. You fought as one, finally. Disregarding the Iron Claw Formation. That is good. You can’t rely on it. You have to rely on yourselves. I suggest only using the formation when you are cornered, understood?”
“Yes Master Susu,” they said in unison, nodding weakly. They began pulling themselves up from the ground one by one. Sweat dripping from their brows. Susu watched them for contempt and saw no bitterness in their defeat, only the silent acknowledgment of their master’s strength. Good, Brother Xing has trained them well enough to wean off arrogance.
Susu turned around from her the recovering disciples and walked toward the centre of the clearing, where the soft glow of the setting sun filtered through the trees. Her silhouette seemed larger, more commanding in that golden light. “Tang Luan, Ming Lei, Wei Zhen, Liu Fang…the jianghu awaits you…always strive to be stronger.”
The disciples bowed respectfully, Luan who seemed the most fatigued from the battle stayed bowed for longer than the rest didn’t move.
When he finally stood, he caught Susu’s eye and gave a small nod of understanding. He would not forget today’s lesson.
Zhao Li
Susu finally called an end to the test and relief washed over Zhao Li. A part of her wanted the exciting display to continue, but another part of her was glad to see the disciples could finally rest.
As night settled within the camp, Zhao Li slipped down the carriage. Her feet barely touched the ground before an irresistible urge took over. She looked around, ensuring no one was watching, she crouched down slightly, trying to mimic the stance she had seen Wei Zhen take.
Her small face scrunched up in concentration as she attempted to kick out like he had. But her leg didn’t move as fast or as high as she wanted, and she wobbled, nearly losing her balance. Undeterred, she tried again, this time attempting to copy Liu Fang’s axe kick.
She whimpered as she jumped and brought her foot down. But her timing was off, and instead of landing gracefully, she tumbled onto her bottom with a soft oof.
A gentle chuckle made her look up. Susu was standing a few paces away, an amused smile on her face. Zhao Li felt her cheeks grow hot with embarrassment, but Susu's eyes held no mockery, only warmth.
“Li’er….let’s take a walk.” Susu said calmly, with an outstretched hand.
Zhao Li hesitated for a moment, then she willingly took Susu’s hand. They walked to the edge of the clearing, where the last rays of the setting sun filtered through the trees, painting everything in soft, golden light.
“Did you enjoy yourself?” Susu asked, her voice gentle.
Zhao Li nodded shyly, then enthusiastically. “It was amazing! They moved so fast, and you... you were like water! I’ve never seen anything like it before.”
Susu smiled at the child’s wonder. It was the first of excitement she’d seen coming from the girl. “You liked it?”
She nodded again, feigning words, but Susu couldn’t expect more, “It takes many years of practice to move like that,” she said calmly. “The purple mist sect disciples have trained diligently.”
Zhao Li nodded again.
As they walked in silence for a few moments, Zhao Li fiddled her thumbs as she was lost in thought. Once they reached the edge of the forest, Susu finally spoke. “Li’er…would you like to learn martial arts?”
She stopped and looked up at Susu, scared. The thought of learning to move like the disciples was thrilling, but it also seemed scary. What if she couldn't do it? What if she failed and disappointed everyone?
Zhao Li averted her eyes, then shrugged off her earlier excitement. A knowing smile flashed across Susu’s face, then she nodded, sensing the child’s hesitation, knelt down to meet Zhao Li's eyes. “It’s okay to be unsure,” she said softly. “Learning any new skill can be intimidating. But remember, even the mightiest tree starts as a small seed.”
Zhao Li nodded, but her eyes remained fixed on the ground. Susu continued, her voice gentle but firm. “I will ask you one more time if you want to learn, after that. I won’t ask again, nor will I be willing to teach, understood?”
“Yes Lady Susu,”
“If you’re going to be formal, you can call me Aunty Susu.”
“Yes Aunty Susu.”
Zhao Li finally looked up to meet Susu’s gaze. The mixture of strength and kindness that Susu held in her eyes, made her feel safe, making Zhao Li smile as well.
“Let’s head back to camp. I’m sure you must be hungry after all the excitement.”
They walked back, Zhao Li’s mind on what Susu said about her learning martial arts. She didn’t know how she felt…but she knew the display of martial arts had awakened a curiosity, she didn’t know existed.
It was like a new found hunger, at the same time, the enormity of it all made her want to shrink back into her shell.
The disciples gathered around a small fire, tending to their minor injuries and discussing the fight. Zhao Li watched them from a distance, still too shy to approach. But as she observed their camaraderie, their shared laughter and earnest discussions, she felt a small twinge of longing. “Aunty, can I go bed?”
“Of course, my darling, you can take all the rest you want.”