Danba said bitterly:"Wu Tong, don't be so arrogant. There are always people stronger than you, skies higher than the one you see—don't look down on others like a frog at the bottom of a well. Today this prince still has urgent matters to attend to, no time to settle scores with you. Since ancient times, mountains and rivers meet again—there will be a day for revenge!"With a shout of "Go!", his entire troop galloped away.
Liu Yun watched Danba's party depart and playfully laughed:"Sister Qian, that Prince Danba clearly has a soft spot for you! He came all this way, and yet you turned him away without mercy! Truly, 'plant a flower with care and it will not bloom; plant a willow without thought and it will give you shade!'"
Li Qian scoffed with a dismissive smile:"Don't joke with me. That sort of man—how could he compare with our husband? If my eyes were so poor as to choose him, wouldn't that bring shame to the name of Sister Qian?"
Zhao Rou also smiled and nodded approvingly:"Exactly! Sister Qian's eyes are keen. She crossed a thousand miles to find her husband, and Brother Tong is a hero of the age. How could such a petty man compare with the bright moon?"
Liu Yun covered her mouth with laughter:"Brother Tong, what sort of love potion have you fed these two sisters? They are utterly devoted to you! Have you hidden some secret manual that makes all women in the world fall for you?"
Wu Tong chuckled, a sly smile on his face:"As the Buddha says: it cannot be spoken!"
Liu Yun, still laughing, turned to Zhao Rou:"Then Sister Qian, or perhaps Sister Rou—why don't you tell us instead?"
Zhao Rou's cheeks flushed pink. She shyly scolded:"There's nothing much to tell—just that I love his chivalrous heart. Ask again, and I'll have to teach you a lesson, you naughty girl!"
At that, everyone burst into laughter. The tense air from the clash with Danba vanished, replaced with ease and merriment.
The four continued on their way. After midday they sought rest at a small roadside pavilion built for travelers. Inside sat an old woman and a young maiden. As the four entered, the old woman lifted her head, eyes flashing with a keen light, and said:"Are you perhaps Wu Tong, Lord of the Loyalty Hall, and your three ladies?"
Startled, Wu Tong quickly bowed:"I am indeed Wu Tong of the Loyalty Hall, with my wives. May I know how to address you, elder?"
The old woman replied:"Your reputation for loyalty and heroism is known throughout the land. For me to meet you today is a blessing beyond measure. Please, be seated."
Wu Tong, suspecting she had some request, answered respectfully:"If there is anything this junior can do, I will serve as faithfully as a dog or horse."
The old woman sighed:"My surname is Ling, given name Yao. In the martial world they call me Granny Yao, the Immortal. I am from Fanyang. Today I indeed have a matter to ask of you, Lord Wu." She paused, then called out: "Xian'er, serve tea for Lord Wu and the ladies."
A sweet voice replied. The maiden rose and walked gracefully forward, her steps light as lotus petals. She was breathtakingly beautiful, like a fairy stepping out of a dream. Even Li Qian, upon seeing her, could not help but be moved, silently marveling: What a peerless beauty!
The maiden was tall and elegant, her beauty like that of Xi Shi, in the full bloom of youth—just sixteen. She said:"Grandmother, Xian'er will pour the tea."
Granny Yao had once roamed the martial world with her husband Ling Yu, both famed for unmatched martial skill. Their names struck fear into bandits and villains alike.
She introduced:"This is my granddaughter, named Xian'er."
The girl shyly said:"Xian'er greets Lord Wu and the three ladies."She set teacups before them, poured the tea, and gently offered:"Grandmother, Lord Wu, and ladies, please have some tea."
Her voice was sweet, her manners refined, no less than those of a noble young lady.
Granny Yao, gazing at Wu Tong—handsome, graceful, heroic—admired him more the longer she looked. She said warmly:"Please drink." She sipped first, and the others followed. Then she continued:"Lord Wu, you are famed across the land, the foremost young hero of our time. I have but one beloved granddaughter, skilled in every art—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and all manner of martial skills. At this prime of her youth, Heaven has blessed me to meet you today—it must be fate!"
The four companions' faces changed. Wu Tong pondered how to respond, but Liu Yun's tone sharpened:"Elder, what do you mean? Do you intend to give your granddaughter to Wu Tong in marriage?"
Granny Yao smiled broadly:"Indeed, that is my wish! My granddaughter is gentle, wise, beautiful, and accomplished. What does Lord Wu think?"
Before Wu Tong could reply, Liu Yun snapped:"This is outrageous! Wu Tong already has three wives. How can you even suggest such a thing?"
Granny Yao, accustomed to deference, was taken aback. She looked sharply at Liu Yun:"And you must be the daughter of the Heavenly Venerate Sect's master?"
"I am!" Liu Yun shot back.
The old woman's voice grew stern:"I was speaking to Lord Wu. Who asked for your opinion?"
Wu Tong, seeing tempers flare, hurriedly said:"Please, sister Yun, show respect to the elder."
But Liu Yun, still furious, cried:"There's no need to ask! I forbid it!"
The old woman, her patience spent, said coldly:"You're not even the principal wife. How can you decide such matters? Are you so spoiled by favor that you dare be insolent to me?"
Liu Yun retorted:"Yes, this is my bad temper! Does it bother you?"
The old woman sneered:"Since you rely on your martial skill, I won't bully you with my seniority. Xian'er—cross a few moves with her. Teach her some manners."
Wu Tong tried to soothe:"Yun, must we come to blows? Surely we can speak calmly."
But Liu Yun snorted:"Wu Tong, I, the daughter of the Heavenly Venerate Sect's master, lowered myself to share you with my sisters. Do not even think of agreeing to this madwoman's request!"
Wu Tong said:"Yun, did I ever agree?"
She shot back:"Yet your heart has already softened! That is weakness!"
Ling Xian'er, angered by Liu Yun calling her grandmother a 'madwoman,' said:"Sister, mind your words! How dare you speak so rudely to an elder?"
Liu Yun coldly replied:"Xian'er, this pavilion is too cramped. Let's go outside and test each other's skills!"
With that, she swept out of the pavilion.