The Assessment

Yuheng Hall was situated just below and south of Arctic Hall, its three sequential courtyards occupying a sprawling tract of ground. From far off, Zhou Wuji caught sight of Yuheng Hall, along with the several hundred green stone steps leading up to it. In terms of layout on Yunlong Peak, Yuheng Hall's architectural scale and stature were second only to Arctic Hall and Tianshu Hall. On this bright April morning, bathed in clear spring breezes, Zhou Wuji ascended the green stone steps with unhurried strides. Taking in the scenic mountain views, he felt quite at ease. Unlike the anxious Martial Uncle Yiping, Zhou Wuji did not believe that Zhishan of the Yuheng lineage would cause him much trouble. No matter how fiercely the seven lineages feuded, there was ultimately a line they could not cross. Given his present cultivation, he counted as an expert even among sixth-rank cultivators. Even if Zhishan intended to make things difficult, the assessment could hardly be impossibly hard. Nor was Zhou Wuji being arrogant; rather, he understood all too well the terrifying potency of the Northern Emperor's Book of Heavenly Punishment. Take the Six Yang Dharma Eyes, for instance—not a single person in the Branch Abbey had brought it to the Consummate realm. A cultivator's energy was limited. Even with staggering talent, one inevitably had to prioritize certain arts over others. Or consider the Big Dipper Heavenly Astral Divine Incantation. That divine incantation was so intricate and profound—how many cultivators in the Branch Abbey had attained any real achievement in it? It was only by virtue of the Northern Emperor's Book of Heavenly Punishment that he had been able to elevate the Arctic Heavenly Tiangang Divine Incantation to Greater Mastery in such a brief span of time. With that single incantation alone, he could handle all manner of perils with calm composure, to say nothing of his numerous other abilities and methods. Zhou Wuji strolled leisurely up the steps. Before he had even stepped through the main gate, a young Daoist came bustling out to greet him. The young Daoist did not recognize Zhou Wuji, but he recognized the bronze star crown upon his head. Only Daoists of the seventh rank or higher were entitled to wear one, so the boy was exceptionally deferential in his greeting. Upon hearing Zhou Wuji introduce himself and state that he had come to pay his respects to Daoist Zhishan and Daoist Yiding, the boy promptly ushered him inside. The entrance was a stately, three-bay gate beneath a single-eave hip-and-gable roof. The central hall within was spacious, its flanking walls inscribed with numerous precepts. The large standard-script characters were rigorously structured and dignified, rendered in broad, rigid brushstrokes that adhered strictly to formal discipline. Having achieved some proficiency in the Slender Gold script, Zhou Wuji had developed an aesthetic eye for calligraphy. He felt the calligraphy on the walls was quite fine, yet excessively bound to rigidity. It was somewhat stiff and lacked fluidity, devoid of a master calligrapher's distinct spirit and presence. Handwriting did not always reflect the man, but the characters upon the wall matched Daoist Yiding's stern, unyielding style to perfection. The acolyte guided Zhou Wuji to a side room to rest, serving him a cup of tea before heading deeper inside to announce him. Daoist Yiding and Zhishan were conversing in the side hall. When the acolyte came to report, Daoist Yiding glanced at Zhishan. "Martial Uncle, what do you think?" Daoist Zhishan had a face full like a harvest moon, a long black beard beneath his chin, a purple-bronze star crown atop his head, and wore a purple Daoist robe. Holding a horsetail whisk in hand, he projected the effortless demeanor of an enlightened master. Hearing the question, he offered a faint smile. "Does my martial nephew have something in mind?" Daoist Yiding said, "Though Yizhen and I have our differences, I would never vent my grievances on a junior. "I only ask that Martial Uncle handle this strictly by the rules, lest people wag their tongues behind our backs and accuse our Yuheng lineage of suppressing rivals and sacrificing the public good for private grudges." Daoist Zhishan understood perfectly. Yiding's words sounded noble, yet he had deliberately highlighted his feud with Yizhen, emphasized their Yuheng lineage, and harped on handling things strictly by the rules. In truth, he was telling Zhishan not to let Zhou Wuji off easily, but to make things truly difficult for the lad. Daoist Zhishan was close with Daoist Yiding's master and was fairly well-acquainted with Yiding himself. With an opportunity like this before him, he naturally intended to do his martial nephew a favor. He laughed heartily. "Martial Nephew speaks true. We shall handle it strictly by the rules." A smile also surfaced on Daoist Yiding's stern face. Having Martial Uncle Zhishan preside over the matter was tremendously advantageous for them. His desire to suppress Zhou Wuji was rooted in calculated self-interest, not merely a petty wish to spite Yizhen. According to precedent, the Main Abbey would select and recruit promising talents from each branch abbey the following year for specialized cultivation. Such a study opportunity came only once every five years and was exceptionally precious. The Branch Abbey had only two nomination slots. Zhou Wuji had slain scores of rebel soldiers and advanced to the seventh rank; his momentum was soaring. Fearing that Zhou Wuji would snatch the study slot away, Yiding wanted to throw obstacles in his path in advance. So long as Zhou Wuji failed his assessment this time, he would have no choice but to wait until next year. Without an official ordination certificate issued by the imperial court, Zhou Wuji would not even be qualified to participate in the selection. There was no need, of course, to spell out these inner calculations to Zhishan. He also knew that Zhishan was fond of wealth; once the deed was done, he certainly would not let Zhishan help for nothing. The tacit understanding between Daoist Yiding and Zhishan was something outsiders could not easily discern. Wu'ai, who stood waiting in attendance behind Daoist Yiding, suddenly spoke up: "Master, Martial Granduncle, everyone says Zhou Wuji learned his peerless swordsmanship from Yiyuan. Seizing this opportunity, I would like to test my skills against his." Daoist Yiding could not help but frown. His painstaking efforts to suppress Zhou Wuji were, in fact, entirely for Wu'ai's sake. If Wu'ai challenged Zhou Wuji now, winning would bring little benefit, but losing would give people something to gossip about, leaving Wu'ai forever beneath Zhou Wuji in stature. With a darkened expression, Daoist Yiding snapped, "Your martial granduncle is present! How dare a junior like you act so presumptuously?!" Hearing his master's harsh tone, Wu'ai was somewhat bewildered, but he could only lower his head obediently. "This disciple was too brash. I beg Master and Martial Granduncle's forgiveness." Zhishan, however, felt a spark of interest. He asked, "You mean Yiyuan of Canglong Temple?" "Yes," Daoist Yiding replied with a touch of regret. "A pity that ill fortune befell him and he suffered qi deviation while cultivating spells. "Had Yiyuan joined our Yuheng lineage, he surely would have achieved greatness with his natural talent for the sword." Everyone in the Yunlong Branch Abbey knew of Yiyuan's peerless swordsmanship. Even though the Yuheng lineage was renowned for sword arts, Daoist Yiding was well aware that his own swordsmanship fell far short of Yiyuan's. He had always harbored a degree of jealousy over it. Fortunately, Yiyuan was dead, so he was not stingy with a few words of praise. "To attain such mastery in the sword through his own efforts is indeed extraordinary." Zhishan had never met Yiyuan, but he had heard of him. After all, Yiyuan had relied entirely on self-exploration, walking a path vastly different from that of the Yuheng lineage. To raise one's swordsmanship to such supreme heights single-handedly was a staggering display of talent. Zhishan felt a glimmer of curiosity about Zhou Wuji's swordsmanship, but he understood Yiding's intention not to let his disciple fight him. Even so, another thought occurred to him. He smiled at Daoist Yiding. "It is a good thing for young people to have vigor. Since we sword cultivators have developed a competitive spirit, forcing it down would do no good. "Since the opportunity presents itself, let Wu'ai test this lad's capabilities." Daoist Yiding was reluctant and could not fathom Zhishan's reasoning. Yet he had only just asked Zhishan for help, and the man was an elder of his own lineage; he could hardly refuse him face. After a moment's contemplation, he said to Wu'ai, "Your martial granduncle wishes to see your sword craft. Give it your all, and do not disgrace the sword cultivators of our Yuheng lineage!" "Yes!" Having gotten his wish, Wu'ai's eyes shone with sharp light, an uncontainable excitement written across his face. Ever since Zhou Wuji had shot to fame, the Branch Abbey had constantly compared the two of them. Many said Zhou Wuji cut down rebel soldiers like mowing grass, and that despite Wu'ai's fame, he lacked actual battle achievements and could never truly measure up to Zhou Wuji. Hearing such talk so often had bottled up a surge of resentment in Wu'ai's chest. This time, he would defeat Zhou Wuji publicly and shut those wagging tongues once and for all! A shadow flickered at the entrance as the young acolyte ushered Zhou Wuji in. Wearing a star crown, Zhou Wuji possessed exceptionally handsome features and bright, spirited eyes. He stood tall and upright, walking with a light, buoyant step. The wide sleeves of his green Daoist robe drifted as he moved, lending him an aura of refined, untamed elegance. Even Zhishan's eyes lit up at the sight. In terms of presence and poise alone, Zhou Wuji was the most striking youth he had ever seen. No wonder Zhiyuan held Zhou Wuji in such high regard; this young man was indeed immensely charismatic, a tremendous asset for spreading the teachings of the Branch Abbey. Furthermore, he was proficient in swordsmanship, fierce in battle, and adept at killing—truly a talented prospect! Yet admiring Zhou Wuji's bearing was one thing, and making things difficult for him was another; to Zhishan, the two were entirely separate matters. Zhou Wuji had never met Zhishan, but seeing him seated in the place of honor and clad in an exquisite purple vestment, he immediately knew this must be Zhishan, the patrolling inspector dispatched by the Celestial Master Mansion. Zhou Wuji bowed in formal greeting. "Junior Wuji pays his respects to the patrolling inspector and the Master of Stillness." "I have long heard your name. You are indeed a young talent of extraordinary bearing." Zhishan smiled warmly, generous with his praise. Daoist Yiding merely gave a cold grunt by way of response, unwilling to utter a single word. Zhou Wuji cupped his hands and said, "The patrolling inspector flatters me. My cultivation is shallow; I dare not accept such praise." "There is no need to be overly modest. We are all delighted to see exceptional talents arise within our sect—" Zhishan exchanged pleasantries with Zhou Wuji for a moment before steering the conversation toward the main topic. "I come on behalf of the Celestial Master Mansion, so there is no need for idle chatter. "Nowadays, the imperial court manages seventh-rank ordination certificates with increasing strictness, and the assessments have grown ever more rigorous. "Prior to my arrival, the Celestial Master Mansion had already designated the assessment topics—" There was no falsehood in his words, though Zhishan omitted a crucial detail. The Celestial Master Mansion had designated three possible assessment topics, and as the patrolling inspector, he had the authority to select from among them. Under normal circumstances, if Zhou Wuji were sensible and showed proper filial piety with gifts, Zhishan would have picked the easiest one. Having given his word to Daoist Yiding, however, he had no choice but to make things tough for the lad. "Two hundred li southeast of Yunyang Prefecture lies Jiuling Lake. Over the past two years, evil spirits have infested the island at its center, killing many fishermen. "This has terrified a great number of fishermen on Jiuling Lake from casting their nets, affecting the livelihoods of many. "You are given three months to eliminate the evil spirits on the central island." Daoist Zhishan continued, "If you feel incapable of resolving it, do not take reckless risks. An assessment is just an assessment—if you fail this year, there is always the next. "The imperial court's stipend is meager anyway, yet once you hold an ordination certificate, your name is entered into the official registry, and you must answer whenever summoned. That is not entirely a blessing. You are still young, and cultivation is what truly matters—" Daoist Zhishan spoke with earnest gravity, putting on the air of an elder showing heartfelt concern for a junior. Zhou Wuji faintly sensed that something was off. He could not spot any obvious flaw in Zhishan, but he already knew Daoist Yiding harbored malice toward him. Zhishan's present demeanor, however, seemed a touch too warm and affectionate. By rights, even if he did not give Zhou Wuji the cold shoulder, there was no reason to be so cordial. Either Daoist Zhishan possessed an unusual temperament and cared nothing for factional rivalry, or he was merely playing the hypocrite to feign benevolence. Zhou Wuji had never hesitated to suspect others with the utmost cynicism. If he could not tell whether someone was good or bad, he would simply treat them as bad. Though he thought this inwardly, a grateful smile appeared on his face as he expressed ample appreciation for an elder's care and goodwill. Daoist Yiding watched coldly from the side. Zhishan was an old, slippery fox, so such behavior was only natural. But Zhou Wuji was so young, yet handled worldly manners with such seasoned poise; it took Yiding somewhat by surprise. Wu'ai, however, could hold back no longer. Stepping forward two paces, he rested his hand on his sword hilt and declared proudly, "Junior Brother Wuji, I have long heard of your peerless swordsmanship. Taking this opportunity today, I would like to experience your supreme arts firsthand. Please do not decline!" Zhou Wuji was slightly surprised. Wu'ai was surprisingly bold! He glanced at Zhishan and Yiding; neither showed any sign of objecting. With a faint smile, he said, "To have the chance to learn from Senior Brother Wu'ai's supreme skill would be my greatest fortune!"