"Fearless" Lü Qiang, seeing Wu Tong ready to face the enemy, raised his cup high, his voice ringing with heroic spirit."Young brother, I have poured the wine—only waiting for your triumphant return, so we may drink together!"His words carried unshakable trust and expectation, as though this contest were nothing more than a stage for Wu Tong to display his skill.
Wu Tong's lips curved into a faint smile. "Wait here, elder. Before a cup of tea has passed, we shall be drinking that fine wine!"
With that, he stepped out of the pavilion with unhurried grace. From his waist he drew a folded paper fan; with a flick of the wrist it snapped open with a crisp shuā! In the sunlight, the fan's surface shimmered faintly. He strode forward at an easy pace, stopped just beyond the pavilion, and called out with proud clarity:"Three Ghosts! I am here!"
The Lingnan Three Ghosts, seeing his lofty bearing, felt only contempt. The Third Ghost spat to the side, scoffing, A snot-nosed brat, daring to strut before us?Aloud he barked, "Boy, your arrogance courts death!"
Even as the words left his mouth, the Third Ghost shot forward like an arrow loosed from the string, palm slicing through the air toward Wu Tong's brow.
Wu Tong's expression did not change. With a snap, the fan closed; his right hand raised it to meet the strike, while his left palm shot out. The Ghost, certain his blow would cow the youth, found instead that the strange soft resistance of the fan dissolved his force entirely—inner strength rippled through the bamboo ribs, numbing his arm.
Before he could recover, Wu Tong's left palm flashed toward him like lightning. The Ghost twisted aside, but the fan snapped open once more—its edge like a blade, slashing toward his eyes.
A blur of white and shadow dazzled his vision. Startled, he lashed out wildly to ward off the threat, but Wu Tong's fan work was exquisite. Left hand tossed, right hand caught; the fan rose and fell in seamless motion, flowing like drifting clouds and running water. Within a few exchanges, the Third Ghost was driven back again and again, cold sweat beading his brow.
Sensing the moment, Wu Tong unleashed a move called Stars in the Heavens. His left palm cut like a knife while the fan in his right hand flared open, the sun glinting off it in dazzling bursts. The Ghost's eyes were seized by the light; in that instant of distraction, Wu Tong spun, his body a gust of wind, circling behind him.
Pèng!A palm struck the Ghost's abdomen full-force, sending him tumbling through the air like a severed kite to crash heavily to the ground.
Catching the returning fan, Wu Tong folded it in one smooth motion, vaulted back into the pavilion, and raised his cup to Lü Qiang. With heroic ease, he drained it in one swallow.
Lü Qiang laughed aloud. "Well done, young brother! This cup is to your skill and spirit!"
But the Lingnan Three Ghosts were not ready to concede. The Third Ghost staggered up, face flushed with shame. The Second Ghost snarled, "Brat, you cheated! This was to be fists and feet—since when do you wield a fan?"
Lü Qiang's lips curled in a slow smile. "I asked: weapons or bare hands? You chose bare hands. A fan is no weapon—have you ever heard of someone slain by a folding fan? If you lose, admit it. Don't blame the fan."
The Second Ghost flushed but pressed on, "Still, it's not proper! He should fight with empty hands."
Lü Qiang chuckled, voice edged with mockery. "He never drew a weapon, yet you're afraid of a fan? Very well—fight again. But this time, be clear on the terms."
Grinding his teeth, the Second Ghost growled, "Bare hands. No fan."
Lü Qiang turned, raising his cup for all to hear: "Young brother, you hear? The Second Ghost fears your fan so much he's banned it! Come, drink to that before you fight."
Wu Tong laughed, clinked cups with Lü Qiang, and set the fan aside. Once more he strolled beyond the pavilion and stood tall."Second Ghost! I am here!"
Wu Tong, ever unrestrained and straightforward, radiated a lighthearted confidence. The Second Ghost, however, found the youth's nonchalance grating. Let's see how long that arrogance lasts without your fan, he thought.
"Boy, take this!" he roared, pouncing like a tiger, palm striking for the vital chest point known as Shanzhong.
Wu Tong pivoted lightly, letting the blow pass through empty air. The Ghost's leg swept low; his fists hammered high. Yet Wu Tong met each attack—blocking with a raised knee, slipping aside, countering with palms swift as sparks.
Ten moves passed in a flash. Frustration rising, the Ghost suddenly lunged close, striking again for the same vital point. But Wu Tong's footwork turned; the strike missed. Before the Ghost could recover, Wu Tong had slipped behind him, chopping down with one palm square onto his back.
Pain lanced through him, and the Second Ghost staggered forward several steps before halting, face dark with both fury and shock.
Wu Tong advanced at a leisurely pace, his tone mild. "Second Ghost, that was merely an appetizer. The main course is yet to come."
The words stung. "Enough boasting!" the Ghost barked. "I haven't yet used my full strength. Again!"
Dropping into a deep stance, he gathered his qi into his palm, sleeves flaring as he thrust forward with all his might. The blow carried crushing force—his killing strike.
Wu Tong's expression was calm, yet his palms rose to meet it. Pèng! The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, dust swirling around them. Both men stepped back. The Ghost's eyes widened—this youth had taken his full-force strike head-on.
"No wonder you speak so boldly," he thought grimly.
Wu Tong said lightly, "If this is the skill of the Lingnan Three Ghosts, to challenge Fearless Lü Qiang… will you not be laughed at in the martial world?"
The Ghost's face darkened further. "We came to face Lü Qiang himself. He sent you instead. We saw your youth and agreed to a one-on-one match out of courtesy. Don't push your luck!"
Wu Tong understood—were Lü Qiang not here, he would never have had the chance for such a duel. Bowing with clasped fists, he said, "Your point is well taken. I offer my apologies. But still, let us finish this—Fearless Lü Qiang is waiting for me to drink with him."