The "Pen of Life and Death," Li Yan, proclaimed in a clear voice:
"The Judgement Hall of Life and Death acts under commission and serves justice.As of now, no one has succeeded in retrieving the White Lotus from the summit.All the heroes of the realm can do is watch in vain.But as the saying goes, let the skilled do the skilled work.Why not let those with the ability retrieve it on our behalf?"
The "Judgement Blade," Sun Tian, followed:
"It's about using talent well.Today, the Judgement Hall has accepted a commission to help retrieve the White Lotus from the summit.As for who shall ultimately own it… that is a separate case entirely."
The Western Sacred Matron, Chen Jinfeng, asked:
"Lord Cui, what price did your client offer? And can they really pull this off?"
Cui Fujun replied:
"My client is not one person, but two.They've offered 2,000 taels. Once that sum is in my hands, these two shall climb and retrieve the sacred White Lotus for all to see."
Black Market King, Sima Lun, snorted:
"That's easy—I'll pay!"
White Lotus Sect Leader, Huangfu Song, chimed in:
"So can I!"
Chen Jinfeng added sharply:
"Me too!"
Then Mount Hua Sect Leader, Zhu Feng, declared:
"What's the use of who can pay?The White Lotus rightfully belongs to Mount Hua.If there's to be payment, our sect should have priority!"
Chief Judge Cui Fujun lifted a hand:
"Gentlemen and Lady, may I offer a word?"
Sima Lun nodded:
"They say your Judgement Hall is fair in martial matters. Let's hear your proposal."
The other three agreed:
"Go ahead, let's hear it!"
Li Yan spoke up again:
"For this single flower, many have already given their lives trying to scale the cliffs.Brave warriors have fallen, their corpses lost to the abyss."
Sun Tian continued:
"That is why the Judgement Hall specially invited two of the martial world's finest climbers to help.Even they admit the White Lotus atop Mount Hua is no easy task.Only after repeated requests and promises of assistance did they finally agree.These two are none other than the 'Arm-Extended Divine Ape' Xie Tianhua, and the 'Wall-Crawling Gecko' Tan Daoliang."
Cui Fujun declared:
"Here is my proposal.Each of the four sides shall contribute 500 taels.Once the flower is retrieved, we resolve the question of ownership by martial contest according to Jianghu custom.Until then, the Judgement Hall shall safeguard the flower.What say you?"
The gathered factions—unable to scale the cliffs themselves—could only gaze helplessly at the flower from below. The Judgement Hall's plan was like rain in a drought. A chance, at last.
Sima Lun was the first to agree:
"I'm in!"
Huangfu Song:
"So am I!"
Chen Jinfeng glanced mockingly at Zhu Feng:
"Unless Zhu Feng here has some magical ability to fly?"
Zhu Feng forced a dry laugh:
"This sacred item belongs to Mount Hua!Why should we pay the 500 taels? But if the flower is retrieved, we'll decide its fate by combat."
The crowd looked on, stunned.What kind of sect leader is this? they wondered.Wanting the prize, yet unwilling to pay—how absurd!
Sima Lun scoffed:
"Zhu Feng, you'd enjoy the rewards without paying a coin? How laughable!"
But just then, a voice rang out from the crowd:
"Let **Zhu Feng's share be paid by the True God Palace!"
Everyone turned. Two men approached—Elder Dragon Qin Wei and Elder Tiger Wang Tao of the True God Palace.
Qin Wei drew a banknote from his robes and handed it to Cui Fujun:
"Judge Cui, here is the 500 taels—for Mount Hua's share."
Zhu Feng beamed with pride and bowed:
"Mount Hua Sect Leader Zhu Feng thanks Palace Master Tuoba!"
Qin Wei replied:
"Leader Zhu is young and talented. Palace Master Tuoba holds him in high regard.The Heavenly Way Alliance looks forward to working with Mount Hua to uphold justice in the martial world."
Zhu Feng responded:
"Palace Master Tuoba's benevolence is known far and wide. I must pay my respects after this is over."
Chen Jinfeng, watching their fake display of courtesy, sighed in irritation:
"Since Zhu Feng has paid, let's not lag behind. Hand over the silver so this flower can finally be claimed!"
Huangfu Song:
"Indeed!"
Sima Lun:
"Judge Cui, here's my 500 taels!"
In short order, all 2,000 taels were collected.
The Ascent Begins
At the base of Lotus Peak, the wide valley was packed with martial heroes, buzzing with excitement. All had come for one reason—the legendary White Lotus of Zhongyuan.
The three judges from the Judgement Hall conferred briefly. Then Cui Fujun called out:
"Let Xie Tianhua the Divine Ape and Tan Daoliang the Gecko step forth!"
With a single bound, the two men appeared before the crowd.
Xie Tianhua stood six feet tall, thin as a reed, his arms reaching past his knees, dressed in tight climbing garb.Tan Daoliang, barely five feet, so lean he looked under a hundred pounds, wore similar clothes. Both bowed.
"Judge Cui, honored heroes—please be at ease. Leave the flower to us."
With that, the two leapt into motion.
That day, the eternal mists of Mount Hua cleared—the skies were pristine, the sun radiant.
Though encircled by high peaks, Lotus Peak pierced the heavens. Its summit, shaped like an inverted bowl, stood so steep, not even a blade of grass grew. Its faces were sheer stone, smooth and deadly.
And there, clinging to a vertical cliff, bloomed a solitary White Lotus.
This rare treasure, thriving in mountain rock, rivaled even the Tianshan Snow Lotus in rarity and beauty.
The wall had no visible path—but even so, the two had already begun their ascent.