Chapter Twelve

Time quickly passed and Wednesday arrived. Yu Xingyue and Lin Ling returned to the place where they had once spent so much time—a visit to old haunts. The changes were remarkable; what was once the modest Tianyuan Taekwondo Dojo had grown and transformed beyond recognition.

A woman stepped out to greet them. "Both of you are here."

She was their coach, Tian Nan. Though she was over fifty, her impeccable skincare made her appear no older than thirty.

"Come inside," Lin Ling said with a smile. "Let's not keep everyone waiting."

Inside, the new members of the Tianyuan team, introduced by Xiao Jian, were all training diligently.

Tian Nan clapped her hands to call a halt. "Everyone, gather up!"

Seven young people quickly assembled, standing with the disciplined posture of soldiers, their faces earnest.

Tian Nan introduced them. "Today, our team welcomes two new members. This is Lin Ling, a former Tianyuan team member. She will be guiding your training from now on."

There was applause, anticipation, and respect for Lin Ling.

Tian Nan continued, "And this is Yu... Yu Xingyue. He will help you with any injuries from training, and he's here to assist in other ways as well."

Again, applause rang out, with Xiao Jian clapping the loudest. Yu Xingyue's return filled him with excitement, his palms reddened from the force.

"That’s enough introductions. Back to training," Tian Nan commanded.

"Yes!" The seven dispersed and resumed their routines. Tian Nan turned to speak with Yu Xingyue and Lin Ling.

"I never expected you two to apply to come back," Tian Nan said.

"I missed home. After so long, this place feels like home. It’s good to be back," Lin Ling replied, smiling.

Tian Nan asked, "Yu Guo, or should I call you Yu Xingyue?"

Yu Xingyue answered, "If it’s easier, just call me Yu Guo. I don’t expect you to remember my name right away."

"Yu Guo, with your current condition, you could fully return to training. Why not show everyone your skills?" Tian Nan pressed.

Yu Xingyue replied, "I don’t want to participate anymore. I’m tired. I want a peaceful life."

Tian Nan sighed. "That’s a shame. If you’d stayed, Tianyuan wouldn’t have disbanded."

"It’s reformed now. Let’s hope they don’t let us down," Lin Ling said.

"Let’s hope so. I have faith in these young people," Yu Xingyue said, his gaze settling on Lin Zimo, who was practicing leg raises with Xiao Jian. Yu Xingyue walked over to greet them.

"You’re working hard. What are you training?"

Xiao Jian replied, "Yu, I need to tell you—Lin Zimo has gone crazy."

Yu Xingyue was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Xiao Jian sighed. "During my last competition, Lin Zimo saw my leg techniques and now she wants to learn Sanren Fast Strike."

"What?!" Yu Xingyue was astonished—a girl wanting to learn Sanren Fast Strike seemed impossible.

Lin Zimo retorted playfully, "Why? Is it only boys who can learn these leg techniques? I refuse to believe a girl can’t do it."

Xiao Jian explained, "It’s not that you can’t try, but… it requires certain physical abilities. I’m satisfied with just mastering a part of it. For you, it’ll be very difficult."

Xiao Jian was not wrong. Sanren Fast Strike was created by Yu Xingyue, who initially hoped girls could learn it. But over time, he realized that even physically fit girls suffered negative effects—disrupted routines, poor self-care. The technique demanded lightning-fast reactions and legs, and if a girl met even one requirement, her life would descend into chaos. After discovering this, Yu Xingyue decreed to Xiao Jian that only boys should practice it, fearing girls would struggle to care for themselves.

Yu Xingyue still remembered when Lin Ling tried it soon after he created Sanren Fast Strike; the negative effects lasted three days—drinking water became a challenge, let alone using the restroom.

But Lin Zimo refused to back down. "I want to train! Don’t stop me. Today, I’ll show you I can do it."

Xiao Jian tried to stop her, but Yu Xingyue intervened. "Go ahead, but unless you can endure difficulty drinking water, being unable to squat in the restroom, muscle cramps while sleeping, and numb legs, you’re welcome to try."

"What nonsense are you talking about? You’re just trying to scare me," Lin Zimo replied.

Yu Xingyue said, "I’m warning you out of kindness. It’s your choice. Don’t blame me for not telling you. Xiao Jian, let’s go."

Yu Xingyue dragged Xiao Jian away, leaving Lin Zimo alone to practice Sanren Fast Strike.

All these negative effects were confirmed by past female practitioners, who vowed never to attempt the technique again.

"Yu, are you really going to let Lin Zimo train Sanren Fast Strike?" Xiao Jian asked.

"Of course not," Yu Xingyue laughed.

"Then why did you—"

"Did you explain the leg technique to her?"

"Oh, I get it now. You’re too clever," Xiao Jian burst out laughing.

Xiao Jian realized Yu Xingyue hadn’t revealed the technique’s details to Lin Zimo. She didn’t even know what to practice.

Yu Xingyue turned serious. "You’re the person I trust most. I’ve decided to teach you the full Sanren Fast Strike combo."

"Yu! I couldn’t possibly—"

"Nonsense, it’s meant to be shared, not kept private. If you succeed, I’ll be happy. Don’t let me down."

Xiao Jian bit his lip and bowed deeply. "Thank you, senior!"

Xiao Jian called Yu Xingyue ‘senior’ out of gratitude. Yu Xingyue trusted Xiao Jian completely and gladly passed on the full combo. Xiao Jian wondered how he could ever repay such kindness.

Yu Xingyue handed him a small notebook. "This contains all the Sanren Fast Strike combos. Practice according to its instructions, and remember—never let girls practice it, especially Lin Zimo."

"Understood."

Xiao Jian carefully tucked the notebook away. Before long, Huang Feifan ran up.

"Senior, something’s wrong!"

Xiao Jian asked urgently, "What happened?"

"Tianqi and Yu Li are fighting," Huang Feifan panted.

"I’ll be right there." Huang Feifan led the way, and Xiao Jian and Yu Xingyue hurried after him.

When they arrived, others were trying to separate the two, but Wang Tianqi was gripping Yu Li’s neck tightly. At that moment, Lin Ling and Coach Tian Nan arrived. Coach Tian Nan shouted, "Stop!" but they continued fighting as if they hadn’t heard.

Yu Xingyue sought out Chen Siyu for an explanation. "Siyu, what happened while Xiao Jian and I were gone?"

Chen Siyu replied, full of remorse, "I was watching Yu Li and Wang Tianqi train. Tianqi wanted to rest, but Yu Li kept urging her to continue. Yu Li kept pulling Tianqi up, and Tianqi got angry and insulted Yu Li."

"What did she call Yu Li?" Yu Xingyue asked.

"She called her mute."

"Oh..."

"It’s all my fault. If I’d noticed sooner, none of this would have happened," Chen Siyu said, ashamed.

"You couldn’t have known what would happen next. You did your best," Yu Xingyue reassured her with a pat.

Xiao Jian arrived and immediately pulled Wang Tianqi away, freeing Yu Li from her grip. "Enough! Stop fighting!" Xiao Jian shouted.

Lin Ling rushed to embrace Yu Li, the youngest among them, her fierce glare never leaving Wang Tianqi.

"What’s going on with you? Why is a team fighting?"

"I wanted a break—I was dizzy, but this mute wouldn’t let me rest. I hit her as a reward, so she’d leave me alone. I don’t want to be with her," Wang Tianqi argued.

The term ‘mute’ was devastating for someone who was hearing and speech impaired. Yu Li’s anger boiled over at the insult, leading to the fight.

"If you need to rest, do it off the mat. Why rest in the middle of the floor? This isn’t your home, Wang Tianqi!" Xiao Jian said, his tone stern.

Wang Tianqi retorted, "Hmph, I only came because you needed talent. Instead of being grateful, you criticize me? How dare you!"

"You—" Xiao Jian was left speechless.

"Enough," Yu Xingyue interjected. From Wang Tianqi’s attitude, he could tell she was the daughter of some wealthy family—someone he particularly disliked, especially those with her arrogance.

Yu Xingyue asked, "Wang Tianqi, I suspect you’re resting here on purpose."

"You—you—you—how dare you talk to me like that!" Wang Tianqi was stunned.

"If I’m not mistaken, you’re sick today and shouldn’t have come for training. Why come anyway? To humiliate Yu Li?"

"You—you’re making things up!" Wang Tianqi protested.

Yu Xingyue continued, "Since our last dinner, you’ve deliberately excluded Yu Li. If you dislike her, just keep your distance. Why use training to humiliate a hearing-impaired teammate? Isn’t that shameful?"

Silence fell. Everyone knew Wang Tianqi disliked Yu Li; her actions had made it clear. She simply wanted an opportunity to humiliate her. With Yu Xingyue’s words, Wang Tianqi found herself unable to explain.

To her, the man before her was intimidating—he saw straight through her intentions.

Yu Xingyue closed his eyes. "I think it’s best you leave. This isn’t a place for your leisure. Go."

He walked over to Lin Ling, cradled Yu Li and tended to her injuries. He observed Xiao Jian’s response: as captain, Xiao Jian still had much to learn. Without Yu Xingyue’s intervention, the situation might have spiraled out of control.

Everyone shook their heads in disappointment with Wang Tianqi. No one spoke up for her; no one sympathized.

Wang Tianqi, humiliated and alone, left the Tianyuan team in tears. Yu Xingyue hoped this lesson would help her change her ways after today’s events.