All eyes turned toward Marba. His body trembled as if waking from a dream, his face pale with fear. He hurriedly knelt to the ground and cried out, "Disciple Marba is here!"
Geleba, the venerable master, spoke in a deep voice:"Your junior brother came thousands of miles for your sake. He fought Monk Luoben of the Nestorian faith with all his might—just to preserve your arm. What I did today was not for you, but for your brother Gemaba!"
In earlier years, Marba betrayed his master and defected to the sect under the Great Dharma King of Kombu. For the sake of power, he took the seat of a Dharma King. Now, gazing at Gemaba, his voice shook:"Junior brother… I wronged you. Forgive my ignorance!"
Gemaba straightened his expression."You betrayed master and disgraced the sect—that was already unpardonable. Were it not for our teacher's intervention today, your arm would already be useless. You should kneel and thank him."
Marba turned toward Geleba, bowed low, and said:"Master, your grace is like life renewed. Forgive your disciple's greed for power and betrayal of the sect."
But Geleba only answered sternly:"Our ties as master and disciple are finished. Since I have already promised the Nestorian Archpriest Aros that you will not harass their believers again, you shall swear before everyone here."
Marba, heavily wounded and unable to fight further, knelt down, lifted his right palm toward the heavens, and declared:"Heaven above! I, Marba, swear: if ever I disturb the believers of the Nestorian faith again, may I die miserably, descend into the eighteenth level of hell, and never find rebirth!"
Archpriest Aros thundered:"Marba, your folly brought great calamity today. Had your master and brother not risked themselves to save you, you would likely be crippled already."
Then Geleba turned and respectfully saluted:"Archpriest Aros, brothers of the Nestorian faith, today's provocation was Marba's fault alone. I hope from this day our two religions may live in peace. We shall depart."
The Nestorian monks, honest and upright, returned the salute. The Tibetan party withdrew. That day the Nestorian church, by its own strength, had defeated its foes. Its fame across the martial world soared.
Peace returned to the Great Qin Monastery. Wu Tong said:"Archpriest Aros, I intruded in the mediation between your faith and the lamas. If I was at all disrespectful, I beg your pardon."
Aros smiled faintly:"Not at all! Wu Hallmaster, your heroic spirit and righteous heart are admired by all under heaven. Without your mediation, had Geleba fought with his full might, the outcome would have been uncertain. Though our two faiths have quarreled, today's settlement is most fortunate."
At this moment, High Monk Yi Si and Liu Yun walked over. Just then, Jingjing stepped forward:"Father, why have you come here?"
Yi Si answered:"I worried for your warrior-monks. At the inn, we met Wu Hallmaster and invited him to aid you."
Wu Tong laughed:"So this young monk is your son? No wonder his skills are not ordinary!"
Jingjing replied modestly:"In front of Wu Hallmaster, my poor efforts are no better than waving a toy blade before Lord Guan himself."
Luoben and the other monks came forward to greet them. Archpriest Aros called out:"Everyone must be tired and hungry. The night is cold—let us return inside the monastery to rest and share a meal!"
So the company retired within. After the victory, the Nestorian church's renown spread far and wide. While eating, talk turned to the great duel to be held on the 28th of the third month at Mount Huangshan—between the Lord of the True God Palace, Tuoba Xinge, and the Celestial Lord of the Nine Skies Palace, Long Zhentian. All agreed they must go and witness it.
Wu Tong's thoughts stirred, and he spoke of the struggle between the loyalist forces and the rebels. Archpriest Aros's spirit flared:"All Nestorian believers support the court in quelling rebellion. If you need our aid, just speak the word!"
Wu Tong rejoiced:"With the help of your church, how can rebels endure? How can our cause fail?"
Thus they made a pact to fight together when the time came. Wu Tong and Monk Luoben, of similar age, soon became fast friends. That night Wu Tong and Liu Yun stayed in the monastery, conversing late into the night.
The next morning, they took their leave and rode on. Returning to Fengxiang, they rested a day. It was now the 25th, with three days left until the great duel. Wu Tong and his three wives set out for Huangshan Palace.
This contest—Tuoba Xinge against Long Zhentian, two proud and mighty masters—was already famed before it began. All under heaven were watching.
The four rode together along the road, one man and three women, an eye-catching sight. Hoofbeats sounded behind. They pulled aside to let the riders pass, but the leader halted, turned, and said:"Is this not Miss Li? Do you still remember me?"
They looked up. It was none other than Prince Danba of Tuyuhun.
Li Qian asked in surprise:"Prince Danba, what brings you eastward?"
The prince's lustful gaze fixed on her."Indeed I have business—to find a princess consort. Many maidens dwell in China, but none so fair and gifted in both arts and arms as you. My heart is yours. Come back to Tuyuhun with me!"
Li Qian flushed and glanced shyly at her husband Wu Tong."I thank Your Highness for such favor, but that cannot be. My husband would never permit it. You must seek another bride."
Wu Tong, seeing the prince's leering face, felt disgust rise in him. His voice turned stern:"Danba! To covet beauty and seek another man's wife is vile! You already suffered my palm once, yet still you do not repent?"
Danba's face darkened, his eyes gleaming with malice. With a crooked smile, he said coldly:"Wu, you jest. When have I ever sought to steal a wife? Miss Li is a beauty, a phoenix among women. My admiration is but natural. What wrong is there in that?"
Wu Tong's anger blazed. His eyes cut like blades as he snapped:"If Your Highness truly feels admiration, you should show respect. She is my wife now. I urge you—show restraint!"
As he spoke, his aura surged forth. A chilling pressure spread across the road.