The Snow-Blade King of the Western Regions, Hu Tian, raised his massive saber, its tip pointing straight at Thunderblade He Ping. At that moment, one of the caravan guards handed He Ping his own blade. He Ping showed not a trace of fear. He drew the weapon, held it horizontally before his chest, and said solemnly,
"Forgive me, sir—but today, He Ping has no choice but to offend."
With that, he swung the great saber. His arms spread, his steps quickened—then in a blink, both man and blade burst forward in a fierce assault. Hu Tian swiftly raised his own saber to block. Their inner forces clashed violently, sending both men recoiling apart.
Hu Tian barked,
"If a courtesy is received, it must be returned!"
His saber spun. The blade moved like a whirlwind, shua-shua-shua, silver light flashing in all directions. He swept toward He Ping fiercely, his saber dancing like drifting snowflakes. He circled He Ping at high speed.
He Ping raised his blade to counter, dodging left and right, giving ground but never allowing any opening. His defense was steady, cautious—firm yet patient.
Hu Tian's saber method was vicious and venomous. Suddenly he lunged, thrusting straight toward He Ping's heart. But He Ping reacted with lightning speed, drawing his blade back to his chest and using the flat to block. Even so, the sheer force of Hu Tian's strike sent He Ping sliding back several feet, his stance dragging long grooves in the desert floor.
He Ping sank strength into his legs, steadied his breath, and pushed back. Hu Tian leapt skyward, body and blade spinning as he descended, unleashing his killer move:
"Pierce the Clouds, Shatter the Sky!"
He aimed straight for the crown of He Ping's head.
He Ping twisted his blade, dissolving the incoming force, and in the same instant counter-thrust straight for Hu Tian's heart.The exchange was razor-sharp, breathtaking—each move perilously narrow, leaving no room for error. Truly, there was not a single dull moment.
He Ping's gaze hardened."Watch yourself!"
He feinted, and in a blur his blade point angled for Hu Tian's abdomen. A cold wind brushed Hu Tian's chest—he sucked in his stomach just in time. The blade slit his clothing open. The attack didn't stop; Hu Tian twisted desperately, narrowly avoiding the follow-up.
Sweat, the size of soybeans, rolled down his forehead—he was truly inches from death.
At that moment, Road-Block Tiger Wang Ba gave a discreet nod.Suddenly—several sharp whistles tore through the air.
Golden coins, throwing darts, and other hidden weapons shot toward He Ping like a rainstorm.
The instant He Ping heard the piercing flight of metal, he knew ambush was upon him. He abandoned his assault and whirled his blade in a defensive spin. Ding ding dang dang! The steel rang nonstop as he leapt and dodged. More hidden weapons hissed through the air in waves—too many to count.
The bandits all plunged their hands into their pouches, flinging coin-blades and free-flying darts in barrages.The hissing never ceased.
Even with He Ping's superb skill, he could not avoid everything—two gold-coin darts struck him, one in his left leg, one in his left arm.
Wang Ba's face darkened."He Ping, you're a true hero. Wang Ba respects that. But now is the time to stop—don't be stubborn!"
He Ping had only one tactic: drag things out, stall as long as possible.
Just at this critical moment—
A sudden gust swept through the camp.
A shadow flashed.A woman descended gracefully to the ground.
"Road-Block Tiger Wang Ba, long time no see. Still remember me?"
Wang Ba froze. The newcomer was Liu Yun. His voice trembled."Why… why are you here?"
Liu Yun smiled sweetly."You bandits gallop around with sabers all day—can't you find honest work? Why must you rob caravans?"
The Three Hawks of Heaven Mountain—Baili Tian, Baili Yun, and Baili Feng—were instantly enraged when they saw her.Baili Tian snarled,
"There's a road to Heaven but you refused it; Hell has no gate yet you break in yourself! We Three Hawks have not forgotten our grudge!"
Liu Yun laughed lightly."You three couldn't beat me one-on-one, could you? Really embarrassing. Planning to fight three against one? Very well—why not?"
Just then, another figure drifted down like a falling petal.
It was Ling Xian'er.
She said, "Sister, allow me to handle the Three Hawks."
Liu Yun considered.These three brothers aren't very skilled—perfect practice for Xian'er.She nodded."Very well. Gain some experience."
Baili Tian sneered,"Little girl, you don't know your limits! The Three Hawks' name shakes both sides of Heaven Mountain. All know us. Think carefully before you act!"
Xian'er bowed politely."Xian'er's skills are still shallow. I humbly ask for instruction."
Baili Yun scoffed."If your skills are shallow, get out of the way!"
Xian'er smiled sweetly."Then would the three of you kindly 'instruct' this little girl?"
She leapt forward lightly, landing before the Three Hawks.
Baili Feng growled,"You're courting death!"
He roared and lunged, palms sweeping toward her.
At the instant before impact—slap!Xian'er's hand shot out, seizing Baili Feng's wrist at the vital point. Her five fingers tightened with tendon-separating force. Baili Feng collapsed to his knees with a scream. When she squeezed again, the cry he let out was like a butchered pig.
"G-girl! Lightly! LIGHTLY!"
She released him—then kicked him aside.
Baili Feng scrambled up, furious."You wretched girl! Trying to play with me? Impossible! Before the Three Hawks, you dare act wild!? Big Brother! Second Brother! We'll go together!"
With several shouts, the three attacked as one.
Xian'er retreated two steps, her movements graceful as a startled swan, fluid as a swimming dragon. Liu Yun cheered,"Xian'er's toying with them! She'll beat them in just a few moves!"
Baili Feng, humiliated beyond endurance, struck again, a palm slicing the air.Xian'er sidestepped and counter-pushed—BANG!Baili Feng flew forward uncontrollably and crashed face-first into the dirt, rolling in dust, his face covered in sand and bruises.
Liu Yun clapped and laughed,"The Three Hawks tasted dog shit!"
Just then, Baili Tian and Baili Yun launched themselves into the air, descending like two predatory eagles.But Xian'er's sleeves fluttered; her footwork became wind.
Her left palm rose, her right fist flowed—then her fist became palm, both hands slicing like blades. She struck both their chests with rapid, cutting blows.
Then—
"Take this!"
Bang! Bang!The two brothers were hurled backward, hitting the ground hard, groaning in pain, unable to rise.
Liu Yun laughed,"The Three Hawks of Heaven Mountain, so fearsome in reputation—yet so weak! They can't take a beating at all!"