The words of "Madman of the West" Situ Kong were exceedingly rude.The Western Sacred Matron, Chen Jinfeng, could endure no more and shouted angrily,
"Cult Master Huangfu, if you are truly a man of stature, then help me teach that 'Madman of the West' Situ Kong a lesson! If you can defeat him, then from this day onward the Western Sacred Cult will submit itself to the White Lotus Cult!"
This man was Huangfu Song, the Cult Master of the White Lotus Cult.On a previous occasion, the Western Sacred Matron had suffered repeated defeats at the hands of Wu Tong, her rage impossible to suppress. Burning for revenge, she sought out the White Lotus Cult. Huangfu Song, coveting the still-alluring charm of Chen Jinfeng—though she was no longer in her youth—agreed to assist her. He dispatched the Five Immortals to cooperate with the Five-Supremes Elder, intending to deal with Wu Tong, the Western Sacred Matron's sworn enemy.
Yet fate played its tricks. The various factions arrived at different times, and the poisonous scheme was once again ruined by Situ Kong.
Huangfu Song now spoke loudly:
"Situ Kong, you and I have no grievance between us, and ordinarily there would be no reason to come to blows. But your twisted words, your reckless slander, have angered the Western Sacred Matron. As Cult Master, I have no choice but to discipline you!"
Just then:
An aging beauty flares in rage,Who sowed the seeds of this evil fate?A madman speaks wild truths aloud,Each word reeks of lust and folly.
Situ Kong was half-mad and half-crazed, foul-mouthed and ceaseless in speech. He continued to provoke Chen Jinfeng, blurting out Huangfu Song's secret thoughts without restraint. Yet Huangfu Song showed no embarrassment at all.
Situ Kong laughed and said,
"Brother, it's plain as day—you've set your sights on this woman. I'm just kindly reminding you: she's vicious and fickle. I, Situ Kong, wouldn't touch her! If you want her, take her and be done with it—why bother fighting at all?"
Huangfu Song had always been wary of Situ Kong's martial skill and had never intended to challenge him. But Chen Jinfeng demanded that he vent her anger, placing him in a most awkward position. No matter how inferior his skill might be, he had to make some show.
Seizing the moment, he said,
"Since you call me brother, let us not use weapons. How about we exchange a few moves bare-handed?"
As he finished speaking, he flicked his wrist. The sword in his hand flew off and embedded itself straight into a pine tree by the roadside, the entire blade sinking into the trunk, leaving only the hilt exposed. The crowd gasped in astonishment—none had expected such power from a casual throw.
Situ Kong shook his head and said,
"Brother, lust is a bone-scraping steel blade. The Western Sacred Matron may still have her charms, and I too might pity her—but the most poisonous thing is a woman's heart. Why risk your life for such a vicious and fickle woman?"
Chen Jinfeng, having endured days of verbal humiliation from Situ Kong, was now utterly enraged. She shouted,
"Cult Master Huangfu! If you are a man of worth, strike at once!"
Huangfu Song had always treated her with deference. Hearing this, he replied,
"Then forgive my offense!"
Before the words had fully left his mouth, he leapt forward, snapped his wrist, and struck with his palm. Situ Kong, though flippant and foul-mouthed moments earlier, was a veteran of countless battles. The instant the fight began, he dared not show the slightest carelessness.
The two exchanged blows. Situ Kong shifted his stance slightly, spun swiftly, and circled to Huangfu Song's right. His palms parted and closed in rhythm, waist and stance united, fists and palms swallowing and releasing force in turn.
Huangfu Song advanced rapidly; Situ Kong met him head-on. Palm met palm, body followed force—like claps of thunder and bolts of lightning. The sounds echoed across the fields, shaking the wilderness. For a time, victory was unclear.
Suddenly, both men shouted and struck palms head-on—
Boom!
Huangfu Song was forced back five full steps, deep footprints stamped into the snow before he finally halted. Situ Kong, by contrast, stood unmoving as a mountain.
Among the assembled heroes were many experts. No words were needed—they all understood what this exchange meant.
The palm wind shook snow from the branches of ancient pines. Fine flakes drifted through the air. In the distance, the official road vanished into mist. The force of the clashing palms spread outward in a ring, sweeping the snow aside to reveal the bluestone pavement beneath.
Situ Kong burst into laughter.
"Cult Master Huangfu, I offered you good advice, but you wouldn't listen. Instead, you rushed into action at this woman's urging—utterly unreasonable!"
Situ Kong's reputation shook the martial world. This palm exchange had been a mutual test of strength. Huangfu Song was secretly horrified—he knew he had met a terrifying opponent. Yet his pride would not allow him to retreat openly.
He forced himself to say,
"Situ Kong, watch your words! The Western Sacred Matron is pure and untainted—you will not slander her!"
Situ Kong grinned mischievously.
"I, the Madman of the West, say whatever I please. Even the Emperor can't control me! What—does Cult Master Huangfu refuse to accept that?"
Having spoken the truth, Situ Kong grew even more dismissive, openly provoking him. Huangfu Song, normally arrogant and commanding, now faced a true senior master. His lotus crown sat crooked, fear evident on his face. His inner energy was clearly in turmoil, and he could no longer ignore the limits of his own ability.
At that moment, Wu Tong called out loudly,
"Senior Situ, this man and Chen Jinfeng are cut from the same cloth—vermin who plague the martial world. If that's the case, why not let this junior wipe them out today in one sweep?"
Hearing this, Huangfu Song grew anxious. He quickly forced a smile, stepped forward, and bowed deeply to Situ Kong.
"I, Huangfu Song, have never witnessed true supreme martial arts. To receive guidance from a senior master today is a great honor indeed!"
Situ Kong was delighted and laughed.
'Senior master'—I dare not accept such a title. Little Brother Huangfu's learning is remarkable. Given time, you will surely amount to something!"
Huangfu Song nearly erupted in anger at being called "little brother," but given the circumstances, he swallowed his fury and bowed again.
"I offended you earlier. Please forgive me, Senior. I shall take my leave."
Chen Jinfeng had hoped Huangfu Song would avenge her humiliation. Instead, she saw him bowing, apologizing, and retreating. She exploded in rage and cursed,
"Spineless wretch! You can't even withstand a beating, so you kneel and beg for mercy! You're not a man at all! I must have been blind as a dog!"
Huangfu Song's face flushed crimson. He lowered his head, unable to respond.
At that moment, Situ Kong added casually,
"Little Brother Huangfu, if you wish to leave here safely today, you must also apologize to Hall Master Wu Tong of the Loyalty Hall."
Huangfu Song burned with rage inside. Yet he knew full well that Situ Kong's palm techniques were fearsome—and Wu Tong's Hidden Dragon Blade was even more terrifying.
He decided to swallow this humiliation and seek revenge another day.
Turning to Wu Tong, he bowed deeply.
"I, Huangfu Song, failed to recognize Mount Tai. I beg Hall Master Wu of the Loyalty Hall to show mercy and spare my worthless life."
Wu Tong said calmly,
"For the sake of this being your first offense, I'll spare you. Go."
Huangfu Song clenched his teeth, suppressing his fury. Without even glancing at Chen Jinfeng or bidding her farewell, he leapt away and vanished.
Behind him, Situ Kong sighed deeply.
"Wine is poison that rots the gut. Lust is a steel blade that scrapes the bones. That Huangfu Song nearly lost his life because of Chen Jinfeng."
At that moment, in the distance, members of the White Lotus Cult and the Western Sacred Cult whispered among themselves or showed fear upon their faces. The lotus and sacred-fire emblems on their robes stood out starkly against the white snow.