When Shi Moyong, adorned in bright red groom's attire, appeared before the grand gates of the Defying Heaven Sect, time itself seemed to stand still.
The gentle breeze fell entirely still, and the murmurs of the crowd abruptly vanished. Though the atmosphere remained taut, every gaze was drawn to this single young man.
The tall, elegant man stood there in his fiery red robes. With a stoic expression and abyss-like eyes, he strode into the crowd.
Amidst the guests and supreme masters from across the realm, Shi Moyong chose to approach Jin Tianwang, The Merry Meanderer, to offer his first greeting.
"Brother Jin..." Shi Moyong said in an even tone, bowing slightly in a composed manner.
Jin Tianwang looked at the prospective groom with profound eyes before speaking with a faint smile, "Sect Master Shi, I have brought a wedding lantern as a gift for you."
Upon saying this, he gestured behind him. Fan Qingqing and four men stepped forward, hoisting a colossal red lantern above their heads. The lantern was exquisitely crafted, adorned with red and gold—a symbol of supreme auspiciousness.
Shi Moyong stared at the wedding lantern for a moment before uttering words that left the entire crowd utterly astounded.
"It is a pity. This wedding... must be canceled."
As soon as those words rang out, the entire atmosphere turned to ice.
Right at that moment—a thunderous shout erupted from behind.
"The two of you... do you intend to pretend I don't exist?!"
The one who roared was none other than Li Sibei—The Reckless Blade. Bold and arrogant, he stood not far from Jin Tianwang, his sharp features radiating sheer insolence.
Shi Moyong slowly turned to look at him, his face remaining completely impassive. "Who might you be?"
A simple question, yet one that was colder than the sharpest blade.
Li Sibei let out a cold sneer, his eyes filled with absolute disdain. "You do not even recognize me? I am The Reckless Blade, Li Sibei."
Shi Moyong's gaze looked right through him as if he were thin air, before he stated emotionlessly, "The Reckless Blade, you say..." He paused briefly. "To me, you have never even been worth a glance."
Li Sibei's expression immediately warped. Furious resentment erupted in his eyes. He clenched his fists so tightly his veins bulged. "Bas—" Before his curse could be completed...
A woman's voice cut through. "And what of me...?"
The one who interrupted Li Sibei's curse was none other than the most beautiful woman in the martial world, The Frostflower Maiden, Han Yuexin.
"And what of me... Do I not exist to you either?"
Shi Moyong's gaze did not waver in the slightest. He turned back to meet Jin Tianwang's eyes before stating, "As for Lady Han, it seems she has never existed to me at all."
Surprisingly, Jin Tianwang's gaze shared the exact same sentiment. He replied, "As for myself, Lady Han no longer exists to me either."
These words struck Han Yuexin's body like a bolt of lightning. The two men she valued most in her heart had delivered such ruthlessly detached words. At once, tears began to stream down her face.
"Namo Amitabha." A Buddhist chant echoed as two figures stepped out from the edge of the woods. One was an elderly man with flowing white hair and a long beard, resembling an immortal sage. The other had a cleanly shaven head, donning a bright yellow monk's robe.
Looking at them through her tear-blurred vision, Han Yuexin cried out loudly, "Father! Grandfather! Yuexin is being bullied!"
Han Zhaoming had shaved his head and ordained as a monk. His appearance here today was to officially declare his withdrawal from the martial world, dedicating the remainder of his life to studying Buddhist scriptures.
"The grudge between our two factions—if you wish to settle it today, nephew Shi, you may strike with all your might," Gao Qingxin declared as he steadily approached.
The Sage of the Eight Corners, Han Xiaozhi, only knew that Han Zhaoming had followed Gao Qingxin. He assumed his son went to hone his martial arts to combat the Defying Heaven Sect. Never did he expect that upon his son's return, he would be a tonsured monk. Utterly shocked, Han Xiaozhi hurried over from another direction. Staring at Han Zhaoming's face, Han Xiaozhi dropped to his knees. Gripping the sleeve of his son's robe with one hand, he asked in disbelief, "Zhaoming, how did you become like this?"
"The man named Han Zhaoming has already departed from this world. Now, only this poor monk remains, known as Nameless (Wuming)," the monk now bearing the Dharma name Wuming spoke to his father.
"Are you going to abandon your father like this?" Having said this, Han Xiaozhi acutely felt his own advanced age. He had fought and schemed his entire life for the glory and prestige of his clan, yet looking back, nothing was truly permanent.
"Benefactor father, this monk has entered the path of Dharma and has no intention of meddling in the martial world anymore. However, my past life owes a great debt to the Shi family. I am merely here to accept the karma of my past transgressions." Having spoken to his father, Han Zhaoming—now Wuming—stepped forward, intending to face Shi Moyong.
"Zhaoming, why must it be this way?" Still unable to let go, Han Xiaozhi called out to hold his son back.
"It is the only way. Whatever karma one sows, one must reap. In the past, we father and son conspired to frame the Defying Heaven Sect. We rallied the martial world to unjustly destroy them, and we ganged up on The Stone Fiend until he perished. This monk feels profound shame." Although Wuming had not yet reached striking distance of Shi Moyong, his voice was projected with focused internal qi, ensuring everyone present heard him clearly.
Gao Qingxin, who had been watching the scene unfold, walked over and grasped the shoulder of the kneeling Han Xiaozhi, advising him, "Zhaoming has chosen to walk the path of Dharma. Brother Han, you should support his devotion. Do not hold back someone seeking to do good."
Han Xiaozhi raised his head, meeting Gao Qingxin's gaze. "Brother Gao, could you assist me as well, so that the twilight of my life may also find peace?"
"Brother Han, you must ponder this carefully. Do not treat ordination as a fleeting whim to be discarded at will. That would only tarnish the path of Dharma."
Han Xiaozhi nodded continuously without pause. "I have thought it through completely. I wish to become a monk and study the Dharma alongside my son."
Shi Moyong watched the scene unfold among the three men—Gao Qingxin, Han Zhaoming, and Han Xiaozhi. All of them had a hand in murdering his father. A part of him viewed this as a mere theatrical charade. Yet, another part of him felt little vengeance toward them. Perhaps it was because he was orphaned at such a young age, lacking any deep bond with his biological parents, having grown up entirely alone.
"How can you all abandon Yuexin like this?!" Han Yuexin wept as if her heart were being torn apart.
"You should follow us and study the Dharma as well," Gao Qingxin told Han Yuexin with absolute seriousness.
"Grandfather... why must it end like this? We should be demanding justice from these enemies!" Han Yuexin turned back, pointing an accusing finger at Shi Moyong and Jin Tianwang.
Slap! Gao Qingxin struck Han Yuexin sharply across her left cheek, then roared, "Follow us! From this day forth, the Han family washes its hands of the martial world!" Gao Qingxin's eyes were blazing with fierce authority.
As stubborn and proud as Han Yuexin was, she dared not defy Gao Qingxin in this moment.
"Have you of the Han family finished your little play? So you're just cowards, terrified of the Shi family to the point of putting on this humiliating farce!" Li Sibei barked harshly.
"What right does the likes of you have to speak here?!" Shi Moyong snapped, pointing a finger right at Li Sibei's face. He then turned to Gao Qingxin. "Consider the grudge between our two families settled here and now. Elder Gao, take your people and leave."
Gao Qingxin grabbed Han Yuexin's wrist without delay and led Han Xiaozhi, Han Guimeng, and the monk Wuming—once known as Heaven-Equaling Mountain Han Zhaoming—away just like that.
Li Sibei swept his gaze over his own faction. Deprived of the elite strength of the Han father and son, his momentum was severely crippled. The thought of retreating began to form in his mind.
"Li Sibei, you cannot leave just yet. I have a matter to settle with you." Jin Tianwang, seemingly reading the man's mind, spoke up, gesturing toward the corpse of the Sword Slave being carried away by Defying Heaven Sect members for burial.
Li Sibei had not expected Jin Tianwang to challenge him over this, yet he maintained a facade of bravado, replying loudly, "Does Brother Jin have something to say to me?" He continued to refer to him intimately as "Brother."
"I intend to teach you a lesson, so that you will no longer slaughter people as casually as chopping vegetables," Jin Tianwang stated, stepping toward Li Sibei.
"Ha ha! So Brother Jin wants to play a game with me?" Li Sibei forced a laugh, gripping the blade in his hand more tightly.
Jin Tianwang's expression remained tranquil before he spoke in a flat tone, "Seeing as Brother Li was once a disciple of Uncle Diao, I am willing to yield three strikes of your blade."
He paused briefly.
"After those three strikes, I will deliver a punch to your chest. If you still have breath left in you to survive... then count it as your good fortune."
The moment those words were spoken, a chill ran down the spines of everyone nearby.
Against a blademaster like Li Sibei, a single strike was usually enough to claim a life. In the entire martial world, no one would dare claim to "yield" a move. Yet not only did he offer to yield, he offered three full strikes.
Furthermore, Jin Tianwang openly declared the exact technique he would use to kill him afterward, as though victory were already set in stone.
Therefore, these absolute, confident words were tantamount to extreme humiliation, treating Li Sibei as completely beneath his notice.
Li Sibei's face grew freezing cold, his eyes glinting with lethal danger before he growled darkly.
"Ridiculous... You think you can yield moves to me?" He let out a cold sneer. "You are far too arrogant. Or have you... forgotten? Back in Wei City—you nearly forfeited your life to my blade."
Jin Tianwang continued to advance on him, his posture completely open, without the slightest hint of defense or preparation. "I am different from you. When I give my word, I always keep it."
"Ha ha! You truly shouldn't be called 'The Merry Meanderer' anymore. 'The Foolish Meanderer' suits you far better..." Before he even finished his sentence, Li Sibei violently slashed his blade. A pitch-black blade arc shot straight toward Jin Tianwang.
Jin Tianwang simply leaned his body to the side, dodging it by a hair's breadth. The blade cleaved the air, sending ripples of force soaring several zhang away, but he had managed to evade the first strike without much difficulty.
Li Sibei had hoped his first strike would catch his opponent off guard. With the first move having missed, he chained into his second without hesitation. Launching himself into the air, he spun and slashed downward with all his might. Yet Jin Tianwang rolled backward to evade it once again. Although the tumble looked somewhat clumsy, it widened the distance between them by several zhang.
However, Li Sibei halted his assault, opting not to follow up with his third strike right away. Pointing his left index finger at the ground before him, he burst into laughter. "I will not unleash my third strike unless you stand exactly on this spot!"
Such words were utterly shameless. Being yielded three strikes was already an undue advantage for a master of his caliber. Having expended two strikes and realizing his opponent's reflexes and footwork were far too agile, he knew a continuous third strike would likely miss as well. He was blatantly exploiting Jin Tianwang's promise to his own advantage.
Jin Tianwang promptly stood up. With a faint smile, he strolled directly toward the spot Li Sibei had indicated.
The martial artists could not believe their eyes. Was he truly foolish enough to willingly step into the kill zone dictated by his enemy?
And finally, Jin Tianwang came to a halt on that exact spot.
Li Sibei was in no rush to attack. He circulated his internal qi twice to prepare his most ferocious and savage blade technique. Once his internal qi peaked, he hoisted his blade high above his head and brought it down like a thunderbolt. A streak of black lightning surged toward Jin Tianwang without warning.
All of a sudden, dust and debris erupted from the ground accompanied by a deafening boom. A massive shroud of dust billowed upward, completely obscuring Jin Tianwang's figure.
Li Sibei felt his blade slice into flesh. Yet panic washed over him as a violent rebounding force jolted up his arm, throwing him dangerously off balance and forcing him three steps back. As the dust cleared, Li Sibei realized the person his blade had struck was not The Merry Meanderer Jin Tianwang, but the Descendant of the Stone Fiend, Shi Moyong.
A red welt from Li Sibei's blade was visible along Shi Moyong's right forearm, but his face remained perfectly normal, showing not the slightest hint of pain or distress.
Jin Tianwang, standing behind Shi Moyong, spoke up. "Sect Master Shi, you are worrying far too much."
Shi Moyong let out a short laugh. "Ha ha. Indeed, I was overly concerned. With Brother Jin's swift and precise footwork, evading it would not have been difficult."
"I trust Sect Master Shi is unharmed?" Jin Tianwang asked him casually. His tone was as relaxed as if they were chatting in a parlor, entirely ignoring the fact that they were in the middle of a deadly confrontation with Li Sibei.
"Brother Jin is too kind. How could a blade like that possibly penetrate my Nine Heavens Armor Art?" Shi Moyong answered dismissively. The demeanor of the two men made it blatantly clear: Li Sibei was beneath their notice.
Being mocked and humiliated time and again caused Li Sibei's fury to boil over. With a feral roar, he viciously swung his blade at the back of Shi Moyong's head.
But in that split second, Jin Tianwang moved.
A gale followed.
He blurred into an indistinguishable shadow. A collision erupted, deafening as a thunderclap.
Dust and smoke plumed into the air once more. Amidst the billowing veil, Jin Tianwang's fist slammed solidly into Li Sibei's chest, exactly as he had promised. Before Li Sibei's blade could even graze Shi Moyong, his body was sent flying, both feet lifted clean off the ground. Searing heat flooded from the point of impact. His breath caught in his throat, and his internal organs churned violently as blood burst from his seven orifices.
In truth, Jin Tianwang had only intended to teach him a lesson he would never forget. But fearing the blade might actually harm Shi Moyong, he had been forced to unleash his power without restraint. Li Sibei's massive body crashed violently into the dirt, bouncing a few times before falling still forever.
The surrounding martial artists were stunned by Jin Tianwang's sheer speed. Moreover, the destructive power of that punch was enough to strike terror into their souls.
This very fist had once subdued Han Zhaoming before the eyes of the martial world. Now, witnessing it once again, whispers erupted from all directions. They all agreed unanimously: this was the most devastating fist technique in the entire martial realm.
Jin Tianwang had originally intended to spare Li Sibei's life. Seeing this outcome, a hint of regret washed over him. He cupped his fists in all four directions as an apology before announcing loudly, "I have killed a man at Sect Master Shi's celebration. I am ashamed."
"Brother Jin possesses the most lethal fist in the realm. Besides, the wedding has already been canceled. Why would there be any reason to blame you?" Surprisingly, it was Shi Moyong who offered the excuse for Jin Tianwang.
"Sect Master Shi, what do you mean? Was today not your auspicious wedding day?"
"Since the bride has fled, what wedding is there left to have?"
"You mean..."
"If she had just held out a moment longer, she wouldn't have needed to flee like this."
Jin Tianwang listened to Shi Moyong's words with a bewildered expression but remained silent.
"My prospective bride actually fled the wedding... to search for you, Brother Jin."
A jolt of absolute shock struck Jin Tianwang's core. Disbelief warred with a sudden, overwhelming sense of absurdity. He had only ever intended to save a life, never to tear a woman away from her destiny. His mind reeled. "Lady Zhou and I have only met twice. Both times, we barely exchanged a few words. Why would she feel compelled to seek me out?"
"Because she has fallen for you. That is why she fled this wedding," Shi Moyong revealed a truth that was beyond all expectations.
"How could that be possible? I..." Jin Tianwang looked incredibly conflicted, unable to process the sheer weight of the revelation.
"You are mistaken, Brother Jin. When you said earlier that you had only met her twice, that was incorrect." Shi Moyong paused for a moment before continuing. "The three of us had actually met once before—back when we were dwelling in Mystic Valley."
"We met in Mystic Valley?!" Jin Tianwang's expression was full of doubt as he shot back the question.
"That time, you stormed into Mystic Valley and captured the Shadow Bat, Liu Santu, to clear the name of The Drunken Scholar, Ao Xia. On that day, she witnessed your heroic deeds, and it blossomed into love. Even I, who was also present, underwent a profound change. I looked up to you as the absolute paragon of manhood."
"I..." Jin Tianwang had never been aware of any of this. To think that his rescue of Ao Xia would create such far-reaching ripples.
"You need not blame yourself. Songyi and I made the decision to escape Mystic Valley precisely because we witnessed your bravery. That day, you likely had no idea just how terrifying the Shadow Bat, Liu Santu, truly was within the valley."
"I..."
"In truth, you should know that I was deliberately imitating you. You initially forged your fame in the West, so I sought to carve out my reputation in the East. Perhaps when you heard the tales of Kang Kang the Destitute, you noticed his path closely mirrored your own." Shi Moyong explained the events of the past in elaborate detail.
"I truly never imagined it," Jin Tianwang finally voiced the shock he had been holding back.
"But today, I can no longer hold you up as my paragon. It seems we were destined by fate to be bitter enemies. Not only did I kill The Drunken Scholar, Ao Xia, your dear friend, but I also claimed the lives of The Blood Hawk Diao Zhufan and The Eight-Kill Fist Wang Yue, your two great benefactors. Fortunately, you managed to sever your ties to that flower, otherwise I would have destroyed your lover as well. But now, today, you have stolen my bride. This is truly the work of destiny."
"Sect Master Shi, you are taking this too far."
"The truth is, you are an intoxicating man. Any woman given the chance to draw near you could never let you go."
"I..."
"Though you were my model, I am far more eloquent with my words than you. So, let it be known that we two must duel at least once. You, who stole the heart of my prospective wife, and I, who have built a mountain of blood debts against you. We cannot escape this destiny. I ask that Brother Jin do not evade this any longer."
Hearing Shi Moyong's words, Jin Tianwang also felt that this battle was a destiny woven by the heavens. He had mastered the Ninefold Heaven-Piercing Fist precisely to overcome the Nine Heavens Armor Art. Now, with so many reasons and conditions demanding this duel, why should he flee from it forever?
Having resolved this in his mind, Jin Tianwang gave a firm nod and declared, "Then I shall meet you, Sect Master, three days from now."
"Three days from now," Shi Moyong echoed with a smile, before leading the people of the Defying Heaven Sect back into the fortress.
Though no wedding was held tonight, not a single red lantern had been taken down. Thousands of lanterns still cast a soft red glow amidst the darkness, like joy frozen in time.
Suddenly, a shadow soared over the rows of lanterns, causing the flames to flicker. The figure moved with agile swiftness; the arts of lightness and wall-climbing were carried to utter silence before the figure flipped over the wall crest with grace and precision. Even as the figure leaped forward, not even the faintest sound of a footfall could be heard.
"Kangkang (康康), you aren't asleep yet, are you?" a woman's voice whispered at the window of the grand hall within the Defying Heaven Sect fortress.
In an instant, a lamp flared to life inside the previously dark room. A light cough followed before the light moved closer to the window. The shutters were opened, revealing the figure of Shi Moyong in loose sleepwear; his face was as calm as water without a ripple.
"You should not have come at such an hour," he said in a flat tone.
The woman standing outside the window was, in fact, The Frostflower Maiden, Han Yuexin. She stood under the light of the red lanterns, her face pale, yet her eyes remained resolute.
"I have nowhere else to go," she said softly. "I hope you will consider our past relationship. If only you would allow me to stay here, even if you were to have hundreds or thousands of other wives, I would not utter a single word of reproach."
Shi Moyong looked at her with cold eyes. "Such words... are they not ridiculous?"
"They are not ridiculous at all," Han Yuexin replied instantly. "As long as I can be by your side, I care for nothing else."
Shi Moyong fell silent for a moment before asking in a harsh tone, "Care for nothing else... in that case, if you are to stay in the Defying Heaven Sect, in what capacity do you intend to remain?"
The question was like the edge of a blade. Han Yuexin closed her eyes slightly, as if letting go of all her dignity. "In any capacity."
The answer was without hesitation. But what she received in return was a statement colder than winter.
"Within the Defying Heaven Sect, there is no place for someone surnamed Han."
Han Yuexin's body trembled slightly. "You... do you not consider our relationship at all?" she asked with a quivering voice, referring to the bond they once shared.
Yet Shi Moyong answered without the slightest hesitation, "Past relationships... are merely a dream of a single night." Those words were entirely devoid of lingering affection.
Han Yuexin's gaze suddenly turned fierce. "That you treat me this way... is it because you wish to take revenge for that woman, Qi Yiling?" Upon mentioning that woman's name, her voice was laced with pain and jealousy.
Shi Moyong replied calmly, "She is the woman I have always loved." That answer was like an iron hammer smashing into the center of her heart.
Han Yuexin bit her lip hard before gathering all her strength to speak. "But I love you."
Shi Moyong looked at her steadily before speaking slowly, "How can you love me, when you already love Jin Tianwang, do you not?"
Han Yuexin's anger flared. "How can you say such things? That man surnamed Jin, how could he ever be worthy of me?"
Shi Moyong laughed softly in mockery. "He is not worthy... then how am I worthy?" He paused for a moment before continuing in a cool voice, "At that time, everything I did... was merely an imitation of that wandering smiler."
"You are nothing like him! Jin Tianwang is utterly foolish, knowing only how to think and act with The Drunken Scholar, Ou Xiatian," Han Yuexin said, recounting her past dissatisfaction with Jin Tianwang.
"Because Jin Tianwang could never be apart from Ou Xiatian, you felt he valued his friend more than you. Thus, you turned your affection toward me—a wretched man who did not even have a single friend."
"No! I only know that I like you. I don't like that man surnamed Jin or whatever!"
"If that is the case, it is most tragic, for I do not feel any affection for you." Having said this, Shi Moyong paused briefly before saying, "You should leave." He then slowly closed the window.
Han Yuexin's shame turned into rage. She stomped her foot, shattering a number of roof tiles, before soaring away.
The following day, Shi Moyong exchanged martial skills with Ouyang Laobai from dawn until dusk; the two learned from one another. Shi Moyong found Ouyang Laobai to be a man of calm and collected spirit, perfectly suited for martial cultivation. Furthermore, he possessed sharp intelligence; if he continued to train, he might one day reach a stage beyond even Shi Moyong himself.
However, Shi Moyong was born with the Seven-Star Meridian; his veins and tendons were exceptionally broad, making them uniquely suited for nourishing and circulating internal energy. This was the unbridgeable gap between the two men.
As the sun set and darkness gradually blanketed the sky, a petite woman walked slowly into the Defying Heaven Sect. She had large round eyes, long slender eyebrows, and a nose slightly upturned in stubbornness. Her lips were thin, and her face tapered down to a triangular chin. She wore eye-catching light orange robes. While her beauty was not so striking that it was hard to look away, she was still considered a beautiful woman. However, her gait carried a bold majesty like that of a man. She walked through the inner courtyard, heading straight for the largest hall of the sect.
"Reporting to the Sect Leader, I have returned." Her voice rang out from before the door.
The door opened immediately. Shi Moyong stepped out hurriedly carrying a lamp, a faint smile on face. "Did you meet with Jin Tianwang?"
The young woman in light orange bowed slightly, her head still lowered. "I met him."
"Then... did you tell him what was in your heart?"
She went still for a moment before answering softly, "Now, there is another woman by his side." This young woman in orange was none other than Zhou Songyi, Shi Moyong's bride-to-be.
Shi Moyong said calmly, "Even if he has a woman, someone like you would surely speak your heart." They had grown up together. He knew her heart better than anyone.
"I have already told him." The answer was as he expected.
"And how did he react toward you?"
Zhou Songyi was silent for a moment before replying, "He did not show any reaction. However, that woman... became my sworn sister last night."
At this point, she suddenly knelt before Shi Moyong, her head bowed low, her voice firm. "Songyi has offended the Sect Leader by fleeing the wedding. Now that I have returned, I ask the Sect Leader for punishment."
Shi Moyong looked at her before speaking in a softened tone, "Songyi... stand up." He still addressed her intimately, not asserting himself as a master over a subordinate.
Zhou Songyi remained kneeling. "In returning this time, besides accepting punishment... I have one matter I wish to ask of the Sect Leader..." Her voice carried hesitation and shame.
Shi Moyong replied calmly, "If you have something, then speak it."
"This subordinate has a request... I ask that the Sect Leader does not engage in a martial duel with Jin Tianwang."
Shi Moyong gave a low chuckle before looking at Zhou Songyi with amused eyes. "Heh heh... truly, are you worried for me, or are you worried for Jin Tianwang?"
A faint smile lingered in his eyes. The two had been friends since childhood; previously, they never addressed each other so distantly. Although Zhou Songyi was four years younger than him, back when they lived in the Mystic Valley, they were friends in the same group. At that time, he was merely an orphan without parents, not the high and mighty Sect Leader of today.
Zhou Songyi replied with a serious tone, "With the Sect Leader's achievements, how could anyone compare?"
Shi Moyong shook his head slightly. "Do not comfort me. Brother Jin's fist power... is more formidable than can be fathomed."
"Jin Tianwang is certainly no match for the Sect Leader," Zhou Songyi maintained her opinion firmly.
Shi Moyong replied calmly, "I... do not think so." These words made Zhou Songyi go still for a moment before he continued softly.
"Songyi, you know well yourself. Besides the Nine Heavens Armor Art, I do not possess martial skills like my father. Brother Jin has a swift movement style and is as unpredictable as Ou Xiatian. How could I have the ability to break his techniques?" He paused before continuing.
"The only thing I can take pride in is this Armor Art. As for my palm power and the Hundred-Storm Kicks, my success is still very limited. In this duel... the one who loses his life might not be Brother Jin, but could very well be me."
Zhou Songyi hurriedly interrupted, "If the Sect Leader would only write a letter to cancel the duel, a man like Jin Tianwang would surely not take offense."
Shi Moyong shook his head, his expression resolute. "The duel between us is like a destiny written by heaven. Even your request cannot change it."
Having said this, he turned back to another matter. "Songyi, it is good that you have returned. Aunt Zhou is very worried about you. Go back and rest. As for the matter between us, let us wait until this duel is over, and then we shall speak of it again."
Zhou Songyi had no more words to say. She slowly stood up before turning and walking away silently. Meanwhile, Shi Moyong slowly closed his door.
The next morning, the "Cheerful One," Ouyang Laoxian—who had not attended the wedding two days prior—finally arrived. Upon learning the wedding was canceled and that there would be a duel between Shi Moyong and Jin Tianwang tomorrow, he immediately woke Shi Moyong before dawn. Having once crossed fists with Jin Tianwang, he spared nothing in his guidance. When Ouyang Laobai joined the conversation and guidance, the entire day passed as if on wings for this descendant of the Fiend.
Jin Tianwang, after receiving the word to duel Shi Moyong, had traveled away with Fan Qingqing. The large red lantern he had struggled to build as a wedding gift had to be carried back by hired laborers. Currently, Jin Tianwang lived as husband and wife with Fan Qingqing. Since they came for the auspicious event, they had rented a room in the town near this Starving Wolf Mountain.
They lodged in a small hut partitioned from a farmer's house. Inside, there were only four walls and a roof thatched with dry grass. There were almost no household items to be seen. Jin Tianwang was merely a wandering vagabond; he naturally had no great wealth like a typical affluent husband. Such a life was not one most women would choose.
But Fan Qingqing did not think so.
Fan Qingqing was a woman of beauty rarely found under heaven. Her beauty today even surpassed that of the Frostflower Maiden, Han Yuexin. Now that she was Jin Tianwang's wife, even if her husband were poorer than this, she would never think of abandoning him. New couples are often thus. But how long such a bond would last—Jin Tianwang never thought about it.
His life had changed completely with Fan Qingqing by his side. Their mutual care grew into love and a deep bond, making a life that was once solitary no longer lonely.
Tonight, the air was very stifling. Jin Tianwang and Fan Qingqing were still inside the hut, helping each other arrange a pile of straw to prepare a bed. Suddenly, the shadow of a woman appeared before the door.
Even though Jin Tianwang had not yet opened the door, he spoke first. "Lady Zhou, please come inside to talk."
The door was opened softly. The woman in light orange stepped inside. She saw the two of them arranging the straw in the middle of the room. Zhou Songyi stepped forward slowly; her light orange clothes appeared darker under the soft yellow lamplight.
To her, Jin Tianwang was the man who had always been in her heart. She had never had the chance to look at him closely like this before. When she saw him smile at her, her heart beat violently as if it would leap from her chest. But then, her gaze shifted to Fan Qingqing.
A woman with beauty like a goddess from heaven, surpassing any woman in the martial world. Shame rose within her. Fan Qingqing smiled politely but said nothing, continuing to arrange the straw.
Jin Tianwang walked forward to welcome this late-night guest. Zhou Songyi spoke with a slightly trembling voice, "I am so very foolish."
Jin Tianwang replied calmly, "Under heaven, where would one find so many clever people?"
Zhou Songyi gathered her courage before speaking the words she had long kept hidden. "I like you." She was a stubborn woman, willing to flee her sect just to say these words. Having said them, her body trembled uncontrollably.
Jin Tianwang lowered his head slightly before replying politely, "In the future, Lady Zhou will surely find a man suited for you."
Tears immediately flowed down Zhou Songyi's cheeks. She raised her hand to cover her mouth, turning to leave. But before her stood another figure—Fan Qingqing.
Fan Qingqing said with a gentle smile, "It is so late, and Lady Zhou is alone. If you do not mind this coarse straw, please stay the night here." Having said that, Jin Tianwang walked out of the room and closed the door silently. Tonight, he was willing to stand guard outside, leaving the two women alone.
Inside, Zhou Songyi's heart was in turmoil. Suddenly, Fan Qingqing placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and led her to sit on the straw.
Fan Qingqing said softly, "Previously, I myself never thought I would have to sleep on straw like this. But with him by my side, I want for nothing else. Do not be sad. Sorrow is merely mist; it will soon fade."
Fan Qingqing smiled gently before saying, "Upon first meeting, I felt a connection with you. If you do not mind, shall the two of us become sworn sisters?"
Zhou Songyi remained silent. Fan Qingqing continued softly, "I am likely slightly older than you. May I be your elder sister?"
Zhou Songyi's broken heart suddenly felt warmer. She leaned into Fan Qingqing's shoulder, using it to wipe her tears. Fan Qingqing stroked her head gently and said, "A person can cry to release sorrow. So cry. When the tears flow, the sorrow will fade."
When Zhou Songyi heard Fan Qingqing's words, her tears flowed like a broken dam. The sorrow pressed inside her heart poured out uncontrollably. But after a while, the tears gradually stopped.
Fan Qingqing looked at her gently before speaking slowly, "The two of us are quite lucky. At least we can still cry. There are some people who, no matter how sad they are, cannot shed a tear. In times of misery, they can only smile, just as they do in times of happiness." She paused before continuing in a soft voice, "Sister, think about it. What kind of person would that be?"
Zhou Songyi nodded slowly. "That person... must be someone both very resolute and very lonely." She was silent for a moment before continuing, "Shi Moyong is such a person. He was born with the Seven-Star Meridian. Since childhood, his body has suffered from pain shooting through his bones and tendons. Every day he only knew how to cry. But when that pain faded... his tears dried up as well."
Fan Qingqing suddenly showed a startled expression. "Sect Leader Shi also has the Seven-Star Meridian? Previously, I understood that only Jin Tianwang had such a tragic fate."
Zhou Songyi's eyes widened. "Jin Tianwang also has the Seven-Star Meridian?"
Fan Qingqing nodded slightly. "He was raised by a benefactor in a cruel way, forced to consume various medicines and bathe in thousands of poisons until finally, his body changed, becoming one with the Seven-Star Meridian."
Zhou Songyi was stunned. "There is such a thing...?"
Fan Qingqing sighed softly. "Truly, the two of them should call each other brothers, for both share the same tragic fate."
Hearing this, the images of both men appeared in Zhou Songyi's mind. "The two of them... are so very similar."
Fan Qingqing smiled faintly. "But how could he compare to the elegance of Sect Leader Shi?"
Zhou Songyi shook her head. "I do not mean their appearance, but a certain aura that is very similar."
Fan Qingqing was silent for a moment before saying in a serious tone, "People like them should be brothers, not enemies. And they certainly should not duel to the death."
Zhou Songyi nodded. "The two should not have to fight."
Fan Qingqing looked at her. "If possible, we should find a way to stop this duel. The entire martial world knows that no skill is superior to Sect Leader Shi's Nine Heavens Armor Art."
Zhou Songyi said firmly, "If there is anything I can help with, Sister, please tell me."
Suddenly, a voice came from outside the hut. "There is no need for you two to worry." The voice was calm, like water at night. "The duel between me and Sect Leader Shi is something that cannot be avoided. It is late now; you both should rest." The one who spoke these words was Jin Tianwang, who would stand guard at the door tonight.
The two women said no more to each other, but in their hearts, they had both made a decision. Fan Qingqing helped Zhou Songyi lie down before flicking her sleeve gently. A gust of wind passed, and the flame in the lamp was extinguished.
The next morning, as the sky began to break, Zhou Songyi woke up. She still felt her hand in the warm palm of Fan Qingqing. She rose soundlessly, intending to leave without saying goodbye. When she reached the door, she stopped, remembering Jin Tianwang was outside. She listened carefully and found that besides Jin Tianwang, there was another person there, and the two were talking.
"Nephew, do you know that Shi Moyong also has the Seven-Star Meridian?" A raspy but powerful voice rang out in the silence of dawn.
Another voice replied steadily, "I never expected anyone to have the same meridian as I, and certainly not Sect Leader Shi."
The raspy voice continued slowly, "In the past, The Stone Fiend, Shi Wusha, attained the fifth stage of the Nine Heavens Armor Art, and none could oppose him. But that supreme skill is not without a weakness."
The determined voice paused. "The Armor Art… has a weakness?" The voice carried surprise.
"I and Shi Wusha were friends of different generations and always exchanged skills. One day, while discussing internal energy, I learned that this skill relies on shifting the 'Death Point' within the body, rotating its position. Every day at noon, the Death Point must move to the very top of the skull."
There was silence for a moment. "In that case, the Stone Fiend was not invincible."
"Yes," the voice drawled. "But Shi Moyong is not like Shi Wusha."
"Because of the Seven-Star Meridian...?"
"A person with the Seven-Star Meridian, if they train the Nine Heavens Armor Art to the fifth stage, no longer needs to move the Death Point."
The answer was heavy. "Then Shi Moyong truly has no weakness."
"When there is no weakness, the Nine Heavens Armor Art is a supreme skill with no equal."
The determined voice fell silent; there was only a long, faint breath. The raspy voice continued, "Nephew, do not go to the duel."
"I know well... that I might lose."
"Knowing you will lose, why still risk your life?"
A moment passed before the answer came. "Since I was young, I had a dream that one day I would be the one to conquer this Armor Art."
"Is it your dream... or is it the hope that Zhang Zhufan and Wang Yi left with you?"
The reply was still but firm. "At first, it may have been their hope, but as time passed, it became my own dream."
The raspy voice sighed. "What should be said, I have said. Nephew, weigh your heart once more."
"Thank you, Senior."
After the voices stopped, the conversation ended. Zhou Songyi, listening inside, immediately guessed that the owner of the raspy voice was none other than Like the Demon Lord, Gao Qingxin, who had come to warn Jin Tianwang not to go to a pointless death.
"Lady Zhou, you are up early," a voice called from the door.
Zhou Songyi knew the other party was well aware she had heard every word. She opened the door without evasion. Before her was only Jin Tianwang; the owner of the raspy voice had left.
Jin Tianwang was still sitting leaning against the wall, his eyes on the morning sun, not turning to look at her. "Lady Zhou, please close the door. The morning wind is not good for a pregnant woman." He turned and smiled faintly.
Zhou Songyi said in a sharp voice, "You are about to be a father. Why do you still think of dueling, even knowing you must lose?"
Jin Tianwang laughed softly, scratching his head. "Then perhaps I am unfit to be a father."
Zhou Songyi shook her head. "The most unfit father is a dead father. Now you are still alive; why choose to be such a father?"
Jin Tianwang was still for a moment. "Your words are as valuable as gold. I will remember them."
Zhou Songyi left him with a final word: "What should be said, I have said. Weigh your heart once more." She intentionally used the same words as Gao Qingxin so he would know she had heard everything.
Jin Tianwang watched her back until she disappeared. Then he stood and returned to the small hut. He would spend the last two days at her side. After that, he would travel to the Defying Heaven Sect to duel Shi Moyong—to fulfill the dream buried deep since childhood: to conquer the Nine Heavens Armor Art.
Finally, the day of the duel between Jin Tianwang (金天王), known as the Merry Meanderer (乐游者), and Shi Muoyong (石魔勇), the Descendant of the Stone Fiend (石魔之后), had arrived. Although the martial world across the land knew victory would almost certainly fall to Shi Muoyong, this battle still commanded immense attention. Masters and commoners alike flocked from every direction toward Howling Wolf Mountain, home to The Defying Heaven Sect (逆天派), to witness this monumental confrontation.
Shi Muoyong had prepared himself tirelessly for three nights and two days. Rising this morning, he felt his body and spirit surging with extraordinary vigor. To claim he lacked confidence in this duel would be a lie. The Nine Heavens Armor Art (九天战甲真气) was a supreme technique, long revered across the realm as invincible. If any master were truly worthy of clashing with him, it was Jin Tianwang. Despite admiring the man as a role model for years, deep within his heart, Shi Muoyong harbored a burning desire to surpass him with his own hands.
That morning, Shi Muoyong took his breakfast in the Great Hall, surrounded by his closest companions in full attendance. The table was adorned with exquisite delicacies, their aromas stoking his appetite. Despite it being a simple morning meal, he consumed over two large bowls of rice, while his sworn brother, Ouyang Laobai (欧阳老柏), seemed to take particular delight in the feast.
Among those at the table, however, only Zhou Songyi (周松义) wore a troubled expression.
Though she had severed her romantic feelings for Jin Tianwang and accepted her betrothal to Shi Muoyong—with their wedding set for the following month—her past ties still caused her deep concern. She knew Shi Muoyong held a sincere affection for Jin Tianwang, even addressing him as a brother. Yet, in a duel between masters of such caliber, life and death hung by a thread. Protected by the Nine Heavens Armor Art, Shi Muoyong was practically impossible to defeat; if Jin Tianwang threw his entire life force into the collision, he might meet a fatal end. For the past two nights, Zhou Songyi could barely close her eyes, haunted by visions of Jin Tianwang's demise and Fan Qingqing's boundless grief.
Shi Muoyong had been observing Zhou Songyi's countenance. Occasionally, he offered her a smile—gentle yet steady—as if seeking to comfort her without words.
When breakfast concluded, the disciples and members of The Defying Heaven Sect filed out to the front courtyard to await Jin Tianwang's arrival. The area before the sect gates had been prepared with utmost dignity; dozens of large parasols stood in neat rows alongside tables and chairs for Shi Muoyong and his esteemed guests.
Shi Muoyong sat beneath the largest parasol at the center, resting upon an intricately carved wooden chair prepared specifically for him. He sat alone, his face so perfectly calm that he hardly looked like a man about to enter a battle that could shift the fate of the martial world. Not far behind him sat Ouyang Laobai, known as "One Word Ends Life" (一言绝命), and Ouyang Laoxian (欧阳劳仙), the "Carefree Laughing Elder" (逍遥笑翁).
Despite his advanced age, Ouyang Laoxian lacked the composure typical of an elder. "How much longer must we wait for this Jin brat?" he grumbled irritably.
Ouyang Laobai whispered a polite reply, "The duel was set for this day, but no specific hour was determined."
Ouyang Laoxian frowned deeply. "If he leaves us waiting until dusk, wouldn't that be a mockery?"
"He will arrive before noon, for certain," Ouyang Laobai replied confidently.
"How can you be so sure? Tell me where he stays, and I shall go fetch him myself!"
"Grandfather, do not be impatient," Ouyang Laobai urged. "Jin Tianwang is not a man to break his word, nor is he one for petty tricks. He will surely come."
Though Ouyang Laobai had once lost to Jin Tianwang, that defeat was laced with profound respect. He had intended to seek a rematch, but fate had led Jin Tianwang to face Shi Muoyong first. No one, not even he, could defy the will of Heaven.
Overhearing the exchange, Shi Muoyong turned back, offering Ouyang Laobai a nod and a smile brimming with camaraderie and absolute confidence. Ouyang Laobai found himself smiling back. Since swearing brotherhood with Shi Muoyong, he had become a man who smiled far more often, perhaps influenced by his sworn brother's perpetual warmth.
Meanwhile, at a small, quiet cottage in the middle of a field—the lodging Jin Tianwang had rented—he and Fan Qingqing were sharing breakfast. In this simple home, their meal consisted only of a pot of congee they had cooked together.
Born into wealth, Fan Qingqing had never cooked for herself; her skills could not compare to those of Jin Tianwang, who had spent a lifetime wandering the wilderness and mastering self-reliance. As the pot of congee rested on the floor, its steam carrying a faint, comforting aroma, a warm and blissful smile graced Jin Tianwang's face.
Fan Qingqing looked up at the man before her. He had only one eye remaining, yet it was filled with unwavering tenderness. She gazed at him for a long time before a smile finally touched her own lips, though tears unknowingly welled in her eyes.
Seeing his beloved wife smiling through her tears, Jin Tianwang said nothing. He merely ate his congee in a hurry, and upon finishing, asked for a second bowl.
"If I can have congee like this every morning, I desire nothing else in this life," he said with a light, remarkably sincere laugh.
Fan Qingqing's smile widened until her lips trembled, and tears finally spilled down her cheeks. She bowed her head and ate, nodding repeatedly as if fearing this fleeting moment of happiness might vanish if she did not cherish it immediately.
"Qingqing," Jin Tianwang said softly, "one should smile and laugh as much as possible. How can one walk through a life filled only with sorrow?"
Fan Qingqing paused, meeting his gaze. Despite her tears, she spoke words he did not expect. "That is not so... for sometimes, tears signify a happiness even greater than a smile."
Jin Tianwang fell silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. The smile that typically graced his face faded, replaced by a strangely grim expression.
"Why have you stopped smiling?" she asked, bewildered.
Jin Tianwang shook his head slightly. "I have no more tears. Thus, when I am so overcome with joy that I wish to weep, this is the face I make."
Fan Qingqing let out a soft giggle at his serious demeanor. "Haha... so this is the face of one weeping with joy?"
Jin Tianwang looked at her, his single eye reflecting a profound warmth. "I am truly happy. As long as I have you by my side, I want for nothing."
Before his words could even settle, Fan Qingqing's expression shifted. Her voice, once sweet, turned sharp, and her gaze grew piercing. "If that is true... then why must you go to this life-threatening duel?"
"I go to a duel, but it is not a risk to my life. Moreover, my opponent is an old friend; why must it end in the death of either side?"
"The Nine Heavens Armor Art is not merely an invincible defense; it is rumored to draw out an opponent's internal energy until they are withered and empty. Even both of your masters died in such a manner!"
"Qingqing, I will not lose. I will return to you."
"You say you will not lose, but are you certain of victory? Why can we not simply forget this duel, live our lives, and never involve ourselves with the martial world again?"
"I..."
"Are you about to apologize? Why do you need those words? We can simply leave. In your life, isn't it only me that you need?"
Jin Tianwang could no longer eat his congee in peace. Setting his bowl aside, he pulled Fan Qingqing into a firm embrace and whispered into her ear, "Do not worry. I will return."
"You..." Fan Qingqing wanted to say so much more, but her voice failed her.
Jin Tianwang parted from her to begin his journey to the sect. Fan Qingqing tried to follow, but he stopped her, his voice firm yet brimming with affection. "Cook the rice and wait for me. I shall return to have lunch with you."
With that, he turned away without a moment of hesitation and hurried off. Fan Qingqing watched him go, her face drenched in tears. She knew this departure carried far more peril than promise. Exhausted, she returned to lie on the pile of straw, intending to wake up and prepare his noon meal.
Jin Tianwang was not rich. He had no fame or fortune. He possessed no great power or influence. But he had always kept his promises to Fan Qingqing. When he said he would return for lunch, she felt a strange sense of certainty. Perhaps it was the trust a wife has in her husband, or the profound bond between two people in love. Or perhaps, it was merely a hope she had built to comfort herself, knowing full well he was marching to face the peerless power of the Nine Heavens Armor Art.
A thunderous cheer erupted as Jin Tianwang reached the foot of Wolf Mountain. The roar did not cease; it only grew louder as he made his way toward the sect. With thousands of eyes fixed upon him, he felt a flicker of bashfulness and nerves, yet his footsteps remained remarkably steady, his expression calm and composed.
Upon seeing his arrival, Shi Muoyong rose immediately and walked out to greet him personally, followed by his disciples in a formal procession. Jin Tianwang bowed respectfully before the crowd.
"This humble one apologizes for keeping you all waiting so long."
Shi Muoyong welcomed him with a warm smile. "Not at all, Brother Jin. You are not late. Arriving at this hour is perfect." He then invited Jin Tianwang to rest in the shade, ordering tea to quench the thirst of his old friend and greatest rival.
Jin Tianwang accepted the tea and drained it in a single gulp. As he set the cup down, his eyes met Shi Muoyong's. The smiles they had shared faded into solemn silence. Jin Tianwang stood up and made a gesture of invitation. Shi Muoyong rose in response.
A sudden, heavy silence descended upon the surroundings. All chatter ceased instantly. Every eye locked onto the two men who would decide their fates today. Jin Tianwang wore a yellow tunic of coarse cloth and simple black cloth shoes, while Shi Muoyong wore a shimmering silver robe and black leather boots, exuding a majestic, formidable aura.
They walked side by side to the wide arena prepared for the duel. Reaching the center, Jin Tianwang walked a few steps further, stopped, and turned back. His gaze locked onto Shi Muoyong's with absolute resolve.
"Sect Leader Shi, please." "Brother Jin, please."
With those final words, Jin Tianwang lunged forward.
His right fist shot out without a sound, swift as the wind. Shi Muoyong raised his left arm to block the impact, instantly flipping his right palm to strike back. Jin Tianwang evaded the blow by a hair's breadth and landed a precise left punch directly on Shi Muoyong's face. However, shielded by the Nine Heavens Armor Art, Shi Muoyong felt no pain at all.
In the blink of an eye, Shi Muoyong unleashed his supreme palm technique. Waves of heat surged as he delivered a relentless barrage of strikes—one palm shadow following another before the first could even fade, as complex and overwhelming as a firestorm.
But Jin Tianwang did not retreat. Somersaulting over Shi Muoyong's head, he landed a heavy right punch on the back of his opponent's neck. The moment his fist connected, however, a powerful counter-shock surged back through his arm. Simultaneously, the scorching palms continued their relentless pursuit. Spinning in mid-air, Jin Tianwang delivered a rapid kick, his foot snaking past the onslaught of fiery palms to strike Shi Muoyong's chin with pinpoint accuracy.
Shi Muoyong's stance broke, causing him to stumble slightly to the side. At the exact same moment, the repulsive force from the armor art blasted Jin Tianwang back in the opposite direction.
Shi Muoyong burst into laughter, his voice thick with admiration and battle-lust. "Haha! Brother Jin, your techniques are concise and extraordinarily ingenious. I cannot compare at all."
Jin Tianwang smiled, his face perfectly calm. "Sect Leader Shi has the protection of the Armor Art; it is I who can do nothing to you."
Shi Muoyong shook his head slightly. "I fear that without the Nine Heavens Armor Art, I would have no chance of victory against you."
"Sect Leader is being too modest," Jin Tianwang replied flatly.
Shi Muoyong fixed him with a deadly serious gaze. "If I were to use the fifth stage of the Armor Art to withstand your piercing fist, what would you think?"
Jin Tianwang gave a slight nod. "Then, Brother, circulate your energy and prepare yourself. I shall also manifest the Ninefold Heaven-Piercing Fist (九天破拳)."
Shi Muoyong nodded once. His face was calm, but his eyes flashed with a sharp brilliance—a great storm gathering behind the silence. Jin Tianwang took a deep breath, his internal energy coiling into a singular point of focus before he stepped forward.
The moment his foot struck the ground, an explosion thundered through the arena. Dust and debris erupted into the air, as if the earth itself were being torn asunder. Within the dense curtain of dust, two more explosions followed in rapid succession before everything fell abruptly, terrifyingly silent.
The spectators held their breath in tense anticipation. As the dust slowly settled, two figures were revealed standing amidst the haze. The martial world speculated wildly: had the Heaven-Piercing Fist shattered the invincible armor? Or had the Armor Art absorbed the piercing energy entirely?
Finally, the smoke cleared.
Shi Muoyong emerged, his face as pale as a ghost. Yet in the next heartbeat, he erupted into a fit of wild, maniacal laughter. The sound echoed across the arena before he turned and walked back into his sect without a single backward glance.
However, the second figure remaining in the mist was not Jin Tianwang.
The man standing there was Gao Qingxin (高青心), the legend known as "Like the Demon Lord" (如天妖). Looking up, he shouted with a raspy yet overwhelmingly powerful voice:
"Shi Muoyong is the peerless master of this world!"
With that absolute proclamation, Gao Qingxin leaped into the air and vanished.
The words of Gao Qingxin carried the weight of ultimate judgment, and thus the outcome was accepted by the world. Yet, among many martial artists, a profound doubt still lingered. What truly happened within that curtain of dust? Did Shi Muoyong truly drain Jin Tianwang's energy until he was empty? And at exactly what moment did Jin Tianwang vanish from the arena?
No one could answer.
After that fateful duel, The Defying Heaven Sect flourished with unmatched masters, and no one dared to rise in opposition. The martial world proceeded according to the rules set by the sect. A peace such as had never been seen before took hold; bloodshed grew rare, as all lived under the iron law forged in the name of Shi Muoyong—the peerless master of this era.