The Great Dharma King Aros swept his gaze across the assembly, eyes flashing like lightning, until they fixed coldly upon Guru Geleba. His voice was icy as he declared:
"Guru Geleba, your sect has trespassed upon the Central Plains again and again. This Dharma King believes that within the Tang Empire's borders, all are free to practice their faith. If your purpose were only to preach the Dharma, there would be no quarrel. But if you cloak your ambition in religion to pry at our frontiers, and attempt to use your Lamaist union of church and state to invade the Middle Kingdom, then you have gravely underestimated us of the martial world! This Marpa has repeatedly harassed our monasteries and our faithful. Since he has come to provoke us here today, if we do not chastise him, he will surely return to offend again. Luoben—spare his life if you wish, but you must cripple him of one arm!"
This was a border stronghold, where the Jing Sect had long endured the harassment of the Tibetan Lamas, and hatred had long since run deep. Luoben, hearing these words, thought silently: The Great Dharma King Aros has already shown Guru Geleba great courtesy. To abolish one arm of Marpa both asserts our authority and remains within reason. Bowing, he replied:
"I shall obey the words of the Great Dharma King Aros!"
The Jing Sect and the Tibetan Lama Sect were mortal enemies. Today's battle was meant to end that enmity. Luoben arched his swordlike brows, killing intent blazing, and shouted coldly:
"Marpa! You cannot blame me. Today I shall cripple one of your arms!"
Marpa's body jolted, as if waking from a dream, his face at last revealing terror. Inwardly he thought: If I lose an arm, how could I still keep the seat of Dharma King? My power and position would vanish like mist! Panic seized him and he cried aloud:
"Master! Save me!"
Guru Geleba frowned, torn with hesitation. Though Marpa's betrayal pained him deeply, he still could not bear to see his former disciple ruined. But beside him, Karmapa said coldly:
"Marpa! The day you betrayed our master and sought refuge under the late Dharma King Kunbu's faction, coveting power and seizing the Dharma King's seat, you should have foreseen this day! If you regret it now, why did you act thus before?"
At that moment, Luoben darted forth like lightning, straight at Marpa. Alarmed, Marpa cried out:
"Three Black Fiends, stop him for me!"
Though villains of the dark ways, the Three Black Fiends had taken his silver and thus were bound to fight. At once they rushed in with raised palms, shouting:
"Luoben, you must first pass through us!"
Luoben gave a cold laugh. His figure blurred like a phantom, his palm-wind thunderous as he drove straight at them. He knew this battle was not merely personal vengeance, but the very honor of two faiths. Only by thunderbolt methods could he awe the enemy and preserve the dignity and safety of the Jing Sect. The Three Black Fiends, though notorious killers, soon found themselves faltering before his ferocious assaults.
Seeing them struggle, Marpa grew frantic, sweat beading on his brow. If I cannot escape today, my life is finished! But Luoben's onslaught was as fierce as a storm; the Three Fiends, though fighting desperately, could not withstand him.
Luoben, full of confidence, eyes flashing, barked:
"Fists and feet show no mercy!"
Even as his words fell, the Fiends roared and rushed. Luoben's brows drew tight.
"If you still refuse to retreat, I shall show no leniency!"
Calm and unhurried, knowing his superiority, he suddenly lashed out. His palm struck straight at Zhu Xie. With a thunderous crack, Zhu Xie staggered, chest as if struck by lightning. His breath seized, his qi roiled, and blood spurted from his mouth.
Hou Xie and Zeng Xie, enraged, attacked from left and right with vicious strikes aimed at Luoben's vital points. Luoben's spirit blazed; he shifted like the wind, neutralized their attacks with three sidesteps, twisted his wrists to split their palms aside, then unleashed both palms like thunder.
Bang! Bang!
Hou Xie and Zeng Xie were hurled away like broken kites, crashing heavily to the ground, battered and coughing blood.
That day, Luoben's might blazed forth like a rainbow. He stood tall, voice like steel:
"Who else dares step forward?"
Marpa, pale as paper, cried out desperately:
"Prince Danba, help me!"
But the Tuyuhun prince only frowned and said coolly:
"This is none of my affair. I came to the Central Plains on another mission. I am no man's hired thug."
His voice was cold, his disinterest plain.
Luoben shouted:
"Marpa! You have harassed our faithful again and again. If I do not avenge them today, how can I face my people? One arm shall be the price! Choose for yourself—which shall remain?"
Marpa's eyes bulged with rage and terror.
"Luoben, you go too far! I'll fight you to the death!"
Forcing down his injuries, he roared, sprang forward, and unleashed two killing techniques—"Relentless Pressing" and "Entering Emptiness." But his wounds weakened him; his strikes lacked their former power. Luoben slid aside with ease, then drove a palm into Marpa's belly.
Crash!
Marpa groaned, stumbling back seven or eight steps, blood trickling from his lips.
Suddenly the swish of robes split the air—a figure streaked in, palm lashing at Luoben. Instantly, Luoben met the strike; their forces clashed and they broke apart. Looking closely, it was Karmapa.
He cried out:
"Luoben, spare my senior brother! He is gravely wounded—why strike further?"
Luoben, astonished, barked:
"Our Jing Sect has endured again and again, yet your sect presses harder each time. This duel you yourselves sought! The Great Dharma King Aros is merciful, sparing his life and demanding only one arm. That is the utmost leniency!"
Marpa, already bloodied and powerless, looked like a lamb awaiting slaughter, terror etched upon his face.
Karmapa said:
"Luoben, do not press further. Else you and I must cross hands again!"
Luoben roared:
"We have endured long enough! I do not demand his life. But I must cripple one arm. Stand aside!"
Even as he spoke, Luoben struck like lightning. But Karmapa did not yield—he leapt into the gale, meeting the palm head-on, declaring:
"Luoben, your skill is formidable. I, Karmapa, though unworthy, shall take your measure!"
As they exchanged strikes, Luoben growled:
"If you know yourself outmatched, step aside and spare your life."
But Karmapa replied firmly:
"Say no more! Though Marpa betrayed our master, he is still my senior brother. He may be faithless, but I cannot be unjust. If you would strike him, you must first defeat me!"
Though loyal to his sect and his teacher, at this moment Karmapa unexpectedly stood forth to shield the very traitor who had betrayed them—a sight that astonished all.