At that moment, Tian Can and Di Que's figures wavered, ghostlike as they flashed apart, darting left and right to encircle. Hen Buping, seeing this, sank his shoulders and drew in his steps. His left hand flipped into a palm, his right gripped his iron crutch—his defense seamless, without a gap. Yet Tian Can and Di Que's assault came like a sudden storm, finger strikes sharp as blades, penetrating force aimed straight at Hen Buping's vital points.
Not daring to slacken, Hen Buping gave his crutch a sudden shake, like a dragon rolling through the sea. Layer upon layer of crutch shadows met finger force, ringing out with a crisp clang-clang, qi energy scattering in all directions, dust flying from the ground.
Tian Can's eyes grew cold. With a sudden step, his body shot upward like a roc spreading its wings. Twisting midair, his palms crossed and came crashing down toward Hen Buping's crown! Knowing this strike was unmatched in ferocity, Hen Buping shifted his stance and spun aside, thrusting his crutch upward toward Tian Can's abdomen. But Di Que had anticipated it—he shouted fiercely and rushed close, both palms sweeping out like a gale. Hen Buping drew back his arms to neutralize the force, but the two brothers exchanged positions in midair, suddenly striking at his chest from both sides, sealing all retreat!
Realizing he could not evade, Hen Buping gathered his crutch in, then swept it out horizontally with a roar. His inner strength surged; the sweeping wind of the iron crutch forced Tian Can and Di Que back several steps! Yet the fight was far from over. Tian Can steadied himself, bellowing, "Tian Can Palm!" His speed doubled, like a falling star, palm winds roaring as if tearing the sky. At the same instant, Di Que lunged forward with "Dark Clouds Block the Sun," his fingers sharp as hidden weapons, stabbing for Hen Buping's ribs.
Hen Buping roared, spinning his crutch in a strange arc, striking at both attackers' waists. Feeling the surging force, Tian Can and Di Que retreated swiftly. But just then, a figure streaked in like lightning, inserting himself into the fray! Startled, Hen Buping struck out in reflex—palm meeting palm with a muffled bang! Both men staggered back a step.
"Who are you?" Hen Buping demanded coldly.The newcomer, clad in gray monk's robes, his bald head gleaming, smirked arrogantly. "They call me the Meat-and-Wine Monk." His eyes glinted with mischief, clearly amused by the battle.
Tian Can sneered. "What, Di Que—found us a helper already?"Di Que added slyly, "Help us take down this arrogant cripple, and you'll feast on delicacies aplenty!"The monk clapped his hands, laughter booming. "Tempting indeed…" But before he could move, a shadow flashed beside Hen Buping. Liu Yun appeared, her eyes like swords as she scolded: "Three against one, and you dare call yourselves men of the jianghu?"
The Meat-and-Wine Monk narrowed his eyes. "Girl, meddle not. Disaster and fortune come from one's own deeds."Liu Yun smiled faintly. "That saying of the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord has two more lines—do you remember them?""What lines?" the monk frowned."Good and evil reap their own reward; the shadow ever follows the form. I've done no evil, so I fear nothing. But you—helping Tian Can and Di Que gang up on one man? That breaks every rule of the jianghu!"
The monk barked, "Rules? Take my palm first!" He struck suddenly. Liu Yun spun like a swallow, palms meeting his with a sharp snap! They parted instantly. She glared. "So—the Meat-and-Wine Monk resorts to ambush?"The monk's face darkened. "Girl, such inner strength… no wonder you dare interfere!"
Hen Buping laughed coldly: "Tian Can, Di Que, Meat-and-Wine Monk—your so-called skills don't frighten me. Come at once, all of you!"
Enraged, the three surged forward. Tian Can and Di Que unleashed their Nineteen Styles, beginning with "Darkening Heaven and Earth." Their movements blurred with speed, Tian Can attacking from above, Di Que from below. Hen Buping's iron crutch swept in arcs, forming a wall of palms and shadows. The monk thrust forward with Buddha's Radiance Overhead, while Di Que unleashed the dreaded Nine Nether Frost Palms—chilling qi spreading, frost spider-webbing across the ground.
Liu Yun, furious, darted in, her soft sword flashing like a silver serpent, striking at Di Que's back with "Moonlight on Cold Pool." Hen Buping howled, his Tian Can Skill unleashed in full, crutch tip bursting with three feet of qi, his killing move Lone Goose Treading Snow tearing half the robes from Tian Can's body. The monk countered with Flower-Snatching Dragon Claw, fingers like iron clamps aiming for Hen Buping's shoulder.
Four masters clashed—leaping, spinning, their shadows whirling through air and ground alike. The watching crowd roared in awe as qi blasts howled across the plain, dust and sand sweeping like a storm. After thirty exchanges, heaven and earth seemed to dim. At last, all four fell back, panting, weapons lowered.
The monk sneered: "Cripple, your skill is formidable indeed. No wonder your arrogance knows no bounds."