Imperial Edict – by Emperor Wu (Liu Che)
"Only extraordinary achievements come from extraordinary individuals. Just as a wild horse, though difficult to tame, may cover a thousand miles, so too may a man burdened by the world's scorn achieve glory. Whether a wild steed or a maverick warrior, all depends on how one guides them."
Wuxia Narrative Translation:
The tribal chieftain, Luoge, led Wu Tong and his two companions toward the heart of the tribe. The four riders galloped across the open grasslands for a full day before arriving at Luoge's settlement. This village, nestled on the borderlands, was a place where tribespeople and Han settlers coexisted, even intermarried, forming a mixed community.
As the riders arrived, the thunder of hooves echoed across the plains. The chieftain's steed reared high, neighing, its hooves cutting through the air. The sound caught the ears of the villagers, who looked toward the commotion. Upon recognizing their returning chieftain, they rushed forth, some weeping bitterly. One woman wailed, "Our daughters have been taken by the Western Holy Sect! All our young men have been conscripted by the Khan—we have no one left to protect us!"
Moved by her sorrow, Liu Yun stepped forward and said, "Auntie, don't cry. We are here to help."
Ling Xian'er added firmly, "Don't be afraid. If those scoundrels return, we'll make sure they regret it—and maybe even rescue your daughter."
But the old woman replied doubtfully, "You're women too... how could you possibly help? Don't throw your lives away."
The chieftain Luoge interjected with pride, "Don't underestimate these three! The Khan himself said they were sent by the Tang Emperor to exterminate evil."
At that moment, a rumble like thunder broke the silence—ten or so horsemen raced toward the village. Panic swept through the crowd. Wu Tong shouted, "Chieftain Luoge, have the elders guard the villagers! Don't be afraid—leave this to us!"
He hadn't expected even in these desolate frontier lands, banditry and evil would still fester. As the saying goes:
"In small temples, demons run rampant. In shallow ponds, turtles abound."
The two sides were still a hundred paces apart when Wu Tong said, "Mount up—we'll catch a few of them alive!" In a flash, the trio mounted their steeds and charged ahead.
Seeing them approach, the bandits halted. One sly-looking man sneered, "Well now—two lovely ladies approach!"
Another, a scruffy, stubbled man added, "If you dare to ride toward us, I suppose you must have some skill."
Wu Tong demanded, "What are you doing abducting women here?"
The first man grinned wickedly, "What else? We use them first..."
The second cackled, "...then sell them to the Central Plains!"It was clear—they were trafficking women into brothels.
Before the man finished speaking, Ling Xian'er flew forth, her palm striking like lightning. The man was hurled into the air and slammed into the ground. The others gasped.
Liu Yun declared coldly, "Didn't think the evil winds blew so fiercely here! Now that you've come—don't expect to leave!"
The leader of the bandits narrowed his eyes. "So the ladies do have some skill. No sense fighting on horseback. Let's dismount. What say you?"
Liu Yun replied, "As you wish."Once on foot, she asked, "And just who are you lot? What sect? What names?"
The man, broad and towering, answered grimly:
"Careful, girl, or you'll be scared stiff! I am Long Fei, known across Jianghu as 'The Invincible Palm', one of the eight hall masters of the Western Holy Sect."
A thin, weasel-faced man added:
"And I am Gan Lu, called the 'Hellfiend Yama', also one of the eight hall masters."
Then a tall, dark-faced brute stepped forward:
"I'm Jin Bupa, they call me 'Black Vajra'."
When their boasts ended, Liu Yun smiled sweetly, "Ah, so the rumors don't do you justice. Your reputations are truly... overwhelming."
Ling Xian'er scoffed, "Nothing but degenerate cultists. What's there to brag about?"
Long Fei's temper flared. "And you? What sect claims you?"
Liu Yun smiled again, "We may not have your grand titles, but our husbands certainly do. Don't faint when you hear it!"
Gan Lu snorted, "Well, it's raining nonsense today. Go on—we're all ears."
Ling Xian'er gestured to Wu Tong and announced proudly,
"This gentleman here is none other than the renowned hero of the martial world, the Hall Master of the Zhongyi Hall—Wu Tong!"
The bandits paused, shocked.
Some of their henchmen murmured nervously,
"I heard of Wu Tong—he's no joke.""His martial arts are top-tier!""They say, 'In the South, Wu Tong. In the North, Jia Yong.'"
Indeed, Wu Tong's fame had spread far and wide.
Still, Jin Bupa scoffed, "Maybe. But Jianghu is full of rumors. Most are rubbish. This is a barren frontier—why would Wu Tong be here?"
Gan Lu sneered, "Exactly. She's likely bluffing."
Long Fei nodded grimly, "Even if he is Wu Tong, what of it? Aren't we hall masters too? We have no reason to fear him! Let's not boost his morale and shrink our own!"
Though suspicious, they kept up appearances before their men.None of them knew that Wu Tong was on imperial orders to escort the princess to the Uyghur Khaganate—they assumed Liu Yun was just trying to intimidate them.