Elder Wang Tao of True God Palace, known as the Tiger Elder, barked in a thunderous voice:"Zhu Feng! I am Wang Tao, Tiger Elder of the True God Palace! Your skill is not without merit, but to wound my brother with such treacherous means—today I will waste no more words. I have come to test the vaunted arts of Huashan and see whether you are truly worthy to call yourself sect leader!"
Before the Huashan disciples could respond in fury, a resonant Daoist voice rolled across the square.Master Zhenchang spoke with calm authority:"Brothers of the martial world, you come one after another to trouble Huashan. I ask you all—was it not by the rules of the jianghu that Zhu Feng dueled Daoist Chongxu, and by fair combat prevailed? Was it not Sima Lun, the Black-Eater King, who forced a match and was likewise defeated in open contest? Can anyone here deny this?"
At these words the crowd fell into silence. Yet the men of True God Palace scowled darkly. The Dragon Elder Qin Wei and the Tiger Elder Wang Tao gathered their qi, their inner power surging to a suffocating pitch, preparing to strike.
Seeing this, Wu Tong frowned. He knew that if left unchecked, bloodshed would only spiral further out of control. In a flash he leapt forward, his voice ringing like thunder:"Enough!"
The cry shook the plaza. All eyes turned to the young hero who stood tall and unflinching, his bearing calm as Mount Tai before collapse.
Wang Tao's brows knitted. With a cold snort he demanded,"And who are you, that you dare speak here?"
Wu Tong clasped his fists and said firmly,"I am Wu Tong, the newly appointed leader of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness."
The revelation sent ripples of astonishment through the crowd. The Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness was long revered as a standard-bearer of the orthodox path—befriending heroes, protecting the weak, punishing the wicked, and when the realm was imperiled, rallying the martial world in service of the throne. Such a title could not be taken lightly.
Wang Tao sneered."So you are the new leader of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness! You slew the four envoys of our True God Palace—blood debt yet unpaid—and now you meddle in matters that do not concern you. What has this duel to do with you?"
Wu Tong's gaze was steady, his voice resolute:"Time and again True God Palace sows chaos, meddling in the disputes of other sects. What is your true design? Today's matter must end here. The seat of Huashan's leader cannot be decided by outsiders. If you would avenge Daoist Chongxu, today you will find no justice. Better that the strife end now!"
The crowd murmured—his words carried weight. Yet the men of True God Palace were not so easily swayed.
Qin Wei, the Dragon Elder, gave a chilling laugh."Boy, do you think this ends because you say so? Who are you to command us?"
Wang Tao growled,"We will not listen to your prattle. To speak of peace now is laughable!"
The heroes whispered among themselves, knowing well the enmity was too deep to be resolved with words alone. Wu Tong's eyes hardened. His tone remained calm, yet unyielding:"Then tell me, elders—what would it take for you to heed my counsel?"
Qin Wei's eyes narrowed. He thought swiftly: Our two champions already lie defeated; to press on is folly. Yet to retreat would make us seem cowed before the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness. We cannot yield before this crowd. At last he declared:"If you would halt this battle, then prove yourself. Show your skill—else what right have you to arbitrate?"
Wang Tao added with a cold laugh,"Defeat us, and we will let the matter rest. But if you lose, keep your nose out of our affairs!"
The crowd roared in excitement."Now there's a contest worth seeing!""Wu Tong, so young, daring to face two elders at once?""The Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness has always stood tall. He cannot falter now!"
Wu Tong's eyes glinted. After a moment's thought he replied,"So be it. Though I am young and unworthy, I will act as mediator by force if I must. I ask to learn from the elders' teachings."
The shouts rose to a deafening pitch:"Enough talk!""Only victory proves the hero!""Fight!""What are you waiting for? Duel!""Refuse, and you're no man at all!"
Thus it was settled. Normally, the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness would arbitrate disputes with authority alone. But today True God Palace would yield to nothing less than force.
Qin Wei's eyes gleamed cold."You bring death upon yourself. Then let us, brothers of the Dragon and Tiger, join hands to test the new master of Loyalty and Righteousness!"
Their qi surged as one, palm winds whipping, a crushing aura pressing upon the square. Battle was inevitable.
Wu Tong bowed slightly."I am unworthy, yet I must learn from your honored instruction."
The crowd surged back, leaving the three men alone in the vast square.
"I," Qin Wei said, his voice low and threatening, "am Qin Wei, Dragon Elder of True God Palace!"
"And I," Wang Tao declared, his tone cold as ice, "am Wang Tao, Tiger Elder of True God Palace. Boy, if you are slain beneath my palm, blame only yourself!"
Wu Tong's voice rang sharp in reply:"If I fall to your palms, the blame is mine alone. But know this—should I strike you down instead, you must hold no resentment. Fists and blades know no mercy."
The words stunned the crowd. Qin Wei and Wang Tao both felt a chill in their hearts. Rumors abounded of Wu Tong's mastery—deep inner strength, wide knowledge of the martial ways, and his recent victory over Beijia Yong, a famed northern champion. To defeat him, even together, was uncertain.
Suddenly, a clear and spirited female voice cut through the crowd. Li Qian stepped boldly forth, calling out:"If you are afraid, then begone! Linger longer, and you'll answer to the King of Hell!"
Wang Tao flushed with anger."And who are you, little girl, to speak here?"
Li Qian laughed."Who I am is of no matter. Wu Tong shows you kindness, yet you repay it with insults. If that is your choice, then let him draw the Dragon-Crouching Blade and rid the world of your evil!"
With that, she tossed the gleaming Dragon-Crouching Blade into the air. Wu Tong caught it with one hand and said coldly,"Since good counsel falls on deaf ears, let us end this with one cut. Quick and clean. What say you?"
He raised the blade across his chest and strode toward the Dragon and Tiger Elders.
From the crowd, two great sabers were suddenly thrust forward. Qin Wei and Wang Tao, seeing the eyes of the jianghu upon them, had no choice but to take them up.
Li Qian laughed lightly."Look! Even your fellow brothers of the martial world lend you sabers. Be men then—face Wu Tong blade for blade. Do not cower and disgrace the name of True God Palace!"
The two elders, red-faced with fury and shame, hefted their sabers. Yet in their hearts they quailed—for all the jianghu said, 'When the Dragon-Crouching Blade is drawn, no demon can prevail.'
Now, as Wu Tong advanced with the legendary weapon in hand, the battle to decide pride and fate was about to begin…