At that very moment, the piercing cry of suona horns rose from not far away, their sharp, forceful notes accompanied by the clash of gongs and drums. A procession slowly advanced, carriages rolling forward amid a drifting fragrance of incense.
Soon, a middle-aged woman stepped down from the carriage. She wore flowing purple silk, her bearing dignified and luxurious. Among her four personal attendants, Meihua and Juhua cried out in ringing voices:
"The Western Holy Mother arrives!"
At once, followers of the Western Sacred Sect fell to their knees, chanting loudly:
"The world is empty—who says there is no suffering?The Holy Mother descends, manifest in the West.Beneath Heaven's vault and upon Earth's domain,The Western Sacred Sect shall endure for a thousand autumns.The Western Sacred Sect rises with wind and water,The Western Sacred Sect strides across the realm.The Western Holy Mother saves the five lakes,The Western Holy Mother hears all cries and rescues the afflicted!"
Gasps rippled through the gathered heroes of the jianghu.
Chen Jinfeng, the Western Holy Mother, spoke aloud, "Wu Tong—I have come today to see you buried."
Wu Tong replied coldly, "So the Western Sacred Sect has become a funeral procession. Judging by the numbers and spectacle, I must be deeply honored."
Meihua snapped angrily, "Insolent commoner! How dare you speak disrespectfully before the Holy Mother!"
The Madman of the West, Situ Kong, upon seeing Chen Jinfeng, immediately began shouting again, "Calling yourself the Western Holy Mother? More like a Western temptress! Aren't you ashamed?"
Juhua scolded, "Filthy old man—watch your mouth!"
Situ Kong only grew louder. "Oh? And how did you try to seduce me back then? When your advances failed, you tried to kill me to silence me!"
With wild exaggeration, Situ Kong spun outrageous tales, painting Chen Jinfeng as shameless. She had intended to ignore him, but as his lies grew ever more absurd, her temper flared.
"Situ Kong," she snapped, "do not think your martial arts make you invincible. Since I consumed the White Lotus of Mount Hua, I no longer fear you!"
At the mention of the Madman of the West, the heroes present stirred in alarm. Seeing all eyes turn toward him, Situ Kong shouted even louder:
"Heroes, judge for yourselves! Back then these two villainous women begged me to marry them! I found Nangong Yan of the Immortal Queen Palace too ugly. As for this Western Holy Mother—she pleaded endlessly for my affection! I took pity on her and said, 'I'll be the Holy Father, you be my chief consort. The rest can be concubines. Bring me my foot-washing water morning and night!' When their seduction failed, they tried to kill me!"
The crowd burst into laughter.
Chen Jinfeng, still a maiden and fiercely protective of her honor, flushed with rage. "Situ Kong! Speak one more word of nonsense and I will smash your mouth!"
Her fury boiled over. With a sudden leap she launched forward, her speed astonishing. One palm struck out, wind roaring in its wake.
Gasps erupted from every direction.
Situ Kong twisted aside, dodging as she struck air. Chen Jinfeng's jade hand swept again—left and right—two roaring waves of palm force surging like liquid mercury poured across the ground. Her techniques appeared simple, yet her power was tremendous.
Situ Kong darted like lightning, weaving away while shouting theatrically:
"Three days apart and one must look anew!""Impressive inner strength!""What exquisite palm work!"
A cruel smile curved Chen Jinfeng's lips as she attacked faster and fiercer.
Suddenly Situ Kong lightly pushed both palms forward—seemingly weak strands of force drifting outward.
Chen Jinfeng rejoiced inwardly. Ever since consuming the White Lotus, her power had soared. She thrust both palms forward to meet his.
A thunderous boom split the air.
The two separated.
Situ Kong retreated one step.Chen Jinfeng staggered back three.
The outcome spoke for itself.
Situ Kong threw back his head and laughed. "Western Holy Mother, your skill is formidable indeed! Congratulations!"
Chen Jinfeng sneered coldly. "Situ Kong, our grievance will be settled another day. Today's matter does not concern you. I have come to send Wu Tong to his grave."
She paused, then commanded sharply, "Present the gift!"
Members of the Western Sacred Sect brought forth a white funeral wreath and a mourning couplet. The surrounding heroes stared—then their faces changed dramatically, pupils shrinking as if they had seen a ghost.
The couplet read in ten bold characters:
Upper line: "Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty"Lower line: "His heroic spirit remains in the mortal world"
A chilling silence fell.
Liu Yun burst out angrily, "Chen Jinfeng! Had you not faked your death that day, how would you have escaped? Now you come seeking death again!"
Wu Tong raised an arm to stop her and stepped forward himself.
"Chen Jinfeng," he said evenly, "since you hired assassins, you would naturally come in person. It is unfortunate you shall be disappointed."
Chen Jinfeng snorted. "I have spared no expense today. I hired two renowned killers to tear you limb from limb and avenge my hatred. Ninefold Chain Blade! Shadowless Gale Blade—strike!"
Lan Chong said coldly, "It seems misfortune dogs you today."
Yu Tian added, "Indeed—you've run into a man-eating demoness."
Wu Tong stood proudly, scanning the crowd like a hawk surveying wolves. His voice rang clear:
"You two—heed my advice. Turn and leave now, and you may yet live."
Chen Jinfeng shouted sharply, "Enough talk—send him on his final journey!"