"Summer Quatrain" by Li Qingzhao (Song Dynasty):"To live, be a hero among men;To die, be a hero among ghosts.Even now, we remember Xiang Yu—Who would rather die than cross the river east."
To win without fighting is the highest form of warfare.As the saying goes: "The general perished before the campaign began—forever soaking the hero's robe in tears."The land is like a painting, and heroes are countless across time.Yet now, in this vast world—who among us is truly a hero? Who is a worthy rival?Even one as mighty as Murong Gui cannot reverse the tide alone!
Murong Gui had never imagined that his two Dharma Kings would be defeated so thoroughly today. Tears welled in his fierce eyes as he choked out,"Madam Wu, your martial arts are extraordinary. This sect master sincerely admires your skill. Since I was ordered to stop you today, I can only give it my all!"
The great Black Dragon Sect, humiliated in defeat—Wu Tong couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow in his heart."Sect Master Murong," he said solemnly,"The Yan forces are cruel and tyrannical, offensive to both men and gods. The Tang army, by contrast, upholds discipline and justice—it is a force of righteousness. Today's battle was not your fault. Now that the outcome is clear, why not lay down your arms?"
Murong Gui's emotions surged. His mind drifted to his ancestors—the proud Xianbei people, once imperial royalty of the Former Yan during the Five Hu and Sixteen Kingdoms era. Now, he was but a commoner, having relied on generations of effort to build the Black Dragon Sect and win fame across the martial world.
Yet today, all had crumbled.
With deep sorrow, he sighed:"To receive a ruler's salary is to shoulder his burdens. The situation has come to this. As the sect leader of the Black Dragon Sect, I cannot abandon my duty. How could I flee from battle in fear? Life or death—it is fate. Why should I fear it?"
"There is no choice now but to fight with all I have. Let me be plain: your Crouching Dragon Blade Technique is renowned across the land and beyond my match. But if we do not clash today, both you and I will carry the regret for a lifetime. We serve opposing masters, and blades have no eyes. So why not spar barehanded—to test our skills? If I lose, I will leave at once and never obstruct you again!"
Wu Tong was moved by Murong Gui's impassioned words.A hero, brought low—such is fate, such is time, such is destiny.
He thought back to when he first entered the martial world. At that time, Murong Gui had stood atop Tengwang Pavilion, exuding boundless pride, lording over his peers. Who could have imagined he would now fall to such a state?
Murong Gui was not truly a villain—just a tragic figure caught in the wrong era.Wu Tong, his heart filled with respect, sighed deeply and said:
"I wouldn't dare refuse. Your words resonate with me. Among those of the martial world, if there is no deep enmity, it is best to avoid blades and swords. Since that is your wish, I shall obey respectfully. Though my skills are humble, I shall venture to challenge your renowned martial art—'Seven Slashes of Dragon and Heaven'. I ask Sect Master Murong for his guidance."
Wu Tong's thoughts returned to his own strange fate in acquiring the Crouching Dragon Blade technique.
Over ten years ago, the famed master Qiankunzi met Li Wenzhong, the head of the Wolong Sect.Knowing the technique was too deadly, Li left a final instruction: only teach it to one with virtue.His senior disciple, the loyal swordsman Guo Yuan, was to set off a sky-fire bamboo signal.Whoever came in answer would be the destined one. That person turned out to be Wu Tong—upright in heart and noble in spirit.At that time, the rogue Xiao Jian, working with the Black Dragon Sect, plotted to steal the blade manual. No one guessed the true inheritor would be Wu Tong.This tale became legend throughout the martial world.
At that moment, Ling Xian'er looked uneasy and asked softly,"Brother Tong, is this really wise?"
Wu Tong replied,"Sect Master Murong is a man of honor. As the head of a great sect, he will not break his word."
Liu Yun, too, understood the unspoken meanings behind the exchange.Victory and defeat had already been decided.Murong Gui now stood alone—he was no longer a threat, especially with both her and Xian'er present. He could not possibly take on two experts by himself.
She said,"A gentleman honors his word; a petty man takes his words lightly. A man of virtue speaks little, but always fulfills his promises.Sect Master Murong and Brother Tong are both heroes of their time.To spar barehanded and test each other's knowledge—this is one hero admiring another."
In the martial world, righteousness is sacred.Just as a skilled eye sees the true steed, heroes recognize heroes.After many such duels, mutual respect often turns opponents into lifelong friends.
Murong Gui declared with a bold laugh,"Lord Wu—please!"
Wu Tong stepped forward with composed confidence, no trace of fear. He cupped his fists and said,"Then allow me to receive your instruction."
He immediately shifted into a horse stance, ready for combat.Suddenly, Murong Gui's sleeves flared as a blast of wind surged forward.He flew toward Wu Tong like a whirlwind.Wu Tong withdrew his stance, sidestepped slightly, and in a flash—like a drawn bow—sprang forward, launching the 13th palm of the Lingxiao Thirteen Palms, "Turbid Waves Break the Sky."
Powerful gusts of qi whipped through the air with howling force.He struck continuously, pressing the attack.Murong Gui parried with both palms, retreating and advancing in rhythm.
With a sharp cry, Murong Gui spun into the sky and descended with his move "Heaven Vast, Earth Far", launching a series of linked palms in a diving assault.His techniques were indeed masterful—phantasmagorical and hard to predict.
Wu Tong responded by bringing his palms together and suddenly separating them again.This was the famed "Looking Ahead, Guarding Behind" from the Sixteen Palms of Beiming.
His body seemed to flicker—now in front, now behind—appearing left, vanishing right.
The move blended real and illusory, sealing all openings.He deflected three incoming strikes before launching a fierce counterattack.
The two exchanged blows with matched intensity—both attacking and defending, their moves deep and refined.Their combat had reached a level of near-divine skill.The tide of battle shifted moment to moment, leaving Liu Yun and Ling Xian'er breathless with awe.
Ling Xian'er, unable to bear the tension, simply closed her eyes, unwilling to witness what might follow.