Zhao Ke, the Dharma King, retreated sharply. In an instant, he raised his palm like a blade, blocking horizontally and cleaving straight through the attack. As the man landed, his left palm thundered forward while his right leg swept out in a fierce kick, punches and kicks arriving in a roaring flurry.
Zhao Ke stepped back two paces, drew in his body, deflected a punch, returned two strikes, then met the opponent palm to palm. With a loud bang, both men were jolted backward several steps.
The man sneered."Dharma King Zhao, your divine skill is indeed profound—but today, we came fully prepared!"
Zhao Ke remained calm and composed."Are you not Yuan Rong, the Ferocious Deity? Your skill truly lives up to your reputation."
Yuan Rong laughed harshly."That my insignificant bandit's name should earn such praise from the great Dharma King is more honor than I deserve. We brothers roam the jianghu with no grand ambitions—only to earn our daily bread. When we followed Dharma King Shi Ming, food and drink were never lacking. Who would have thought you'd kill him with a single palm? Now we've lost our backing—what are we to eat or drink?"
Zhao Ke's expression turned solemn as he said coldly,"I have exhausted all courtesy. Do not mistake kindness for weakness!"
At that moment, another man stepped out from the crowd—it was Hong Qi the Vicious Fiend, his face savage and menacing. He sneered repeatedly, pointing at Zhao Ke as he cursed loudly:
"The killing of Dharma King Shi Ming is one matter—we'll set that aside for now. But this hoard of treasure was entrusted by the Yan court to Shi Ming for planning strategy and directing jianghu forces in service of Yan operations! How dare you claim otherwise!"
At once, thunderous applause erupted among the greenwood heroes, cheers ringing out without end.
From the opposing side, another figure stepped forward—it was Li Rui, Dharma King of the Manichaean Sect. To everyone's surprise, Li Rui also clapped his hands and praised:
"Well spoken indeed! But if this gold and silver does not belong to the Zoroastrian Sect, could it possibly belong to you instead?"
His words left the greenwood faction staring at one another in stunned silence, momentarily at a loss. Before long, another man emerged—'Ghost-Fearing' Wang Yu, a figure so cruel that even ghosts shunned him. Brutal and domineering, feared by all, his temper flared like raging fire. With displeasure written across his face, he barked angrily:
"Li Rui of the Manichaean Sect! What are you trying to do? This matter has nothing to do with your sect—why meddle?"
Li Rui replied sternly,"Even if it has nothing to do with my sect, I speak out of righteousness. What fault is there in that? You covet this treasure—can that truly be called an act of benevolence?"
Another greenwood man stepped out—'Mad Ghost' Bai Chang, ape-armed and wasp-waisted, vigorous and sharp-eyed. He let out a sinister laugh and said:
"Enough talk of righteousness! These six chests of treasure belonged to the Yan court. Yan is already destroyed—why not avoid bad blood? Let us each take a step back. Split it evenly—two becomes five. How about it?"
Zhao Ke replied coldly,"You want to seize profit with empty hands—to do business without capital? It won't be so easy."
Bai Bing added,"When you carried out missions for the Nestorian Sect, each of you was paid handsomely. Silver exchanged fairly—no deception, no shortchanging. Let us part on good terms."
Yuan Rong snorted in anger."Bai Bing, you dare say that? Why is it that 'Black-and-White Clear,' the 'Twin-Blade Warrior,' 'Long-Browed Eye,' and the 'Silver-Hook Magistrate' received additional rewards—while we got nothing?"
Bai Bing answered coolly,"Had they not upheld jianghu rules, guarding the treasure and keeping its secret, how could it have escaped your notice?"
Mad Ghost Bai Chang sneered,"So it all comes down to this—you Zoroastrians want to swallow the treasure whole! You do business without capital yourselves, yet accuse us of doing the same! The pot calling the kettle black—fifty steps mocking a hundred! Dharma King Zhao, why pretend to be noble?"
Hong Qi shouted impatiently,"Enough nonsense! These people only respect force, not words. No need for courtesy—attack!"
At this moment, both sides stood locked in stalemate, each plotting for their own gain, on the brink of a violent clash. Seeing the tension ready to explode, Li Rui deliberately stepped in to ease the confrontation.
"How about this," he said. "There is no deep blood feud between us. Why not settle it by jianghu rules—martial contest?"
Yuan Rong's suspicion flared."And then what? If we win, we take everything. But if we lose, wouldn't we lose both face and fortune?"
Zhao Ke reflected that both sides had mobilized forces today. If blades were drawn and blood spilled, both would suffer grievously. Bai Chang was not wrong—this treasure was indeed ill-gotten wealth. Without some concession, there would be no clean resolution.
Thus he said,"Very well. Let us meet in martial friendship, unarmed. Five bouts, best of three. If your side wins two matches, you take two chests. If you lose them all, you may still take one chest. How does that sound?"
Hong Qi and the others froze in surprise. Yuan Rong thought to himself: How could such fortune fall into our laps?He said cautiously,"This requires discussion."
Hong Qi and the greenwood men huddled together, whispering urgently. After a brief deliberation, Yuan Rong and Hong Qi strode forward. Clearing his throat, Hong Qi said boldly:
"This arrangement benefits your Zoroastrian Sect far too much!"
Yuan Rong followed up,"Dharma King Zhao—one word from a gentleman! Let it be settled thus!"
Li Rui nodded approvingly."Dharma King Zhao shows great consideration for the hardships of travel. Let both sides value harmony today—turn blades into jade."
Zhao Ke inclined his head."Then today, we meet as martial friends. Please."
At once, Mad Ghost Bai Chang leapt forward, cupping his fists."Mad Ghost Bai Chang comes to seek instruction from Dharma King Zhao!"
Zhao Ke gestured with his hand, settled into a horse stance, and said calmly,"We meet in martial friendship. Please."
Suddenly, a figure flashed—gray robes swirling, gray shadows rolling—
a single form lunged straight toward him…
Biyun Deep · Suiyang Moon
Suiyang Moon—each blade strikes the foe,fierce sorrow rides the killing wind.The killing wind—voices shatter westward,a woman weeps beneath the moon.
Falcons wheel above heroic bones,loyal hearts and crimson courage—no letters ever come again.No letters—the final battle at Suiyang,where heroes stand in wind and blood.