After three rounds of wine, the meal was finished; laughter and lively chatter filled the air, and the mood was warm and harmonious. Yet, all of a sudden, Wu Tong's expression turned grave. His eyes swept over Liu Yun, the Heavenly Venerable Ding Ren, and the Earthly Venerable Wei An. He let out a deep sigh.
"There is something," he said slowly, "but I am not sure if I should speak of it."
Seeing the seriousness in Wu Tong's manner, Liu Yun felt a vague unease stir in her heart, but she still said gently,
"Brother Wu has saved the three of us from certain death. Whatever it is, please speak freely."
Ding Ren and Wei An both nodded in agreement, signaling for Wu Tong to go on.
Wu Tong was silent for a moment, then slowly drew two medallions from inside his robe and placed them lightly on the table. They were old and weighty, with the single character "Venerable" carved on the front. On the reverse were the inscriptions Xuan Venerable and Huang Venerable. They were none other than the identity tokens of the Four Venerables of the Heavenly Venerable Sect.
The three were instantly struck with shock; their faces turned pale. Liu Yun's voice trembled as she asked,
"Young Master Wu, where did you obtain these two medallions?"
Wu Tong, seeing their astonishment, already understood the tokens must hold profound meaning for them. He sighed again and said,
"It is a long story. Back in Guangzhou, I was ambushed by old enemies who had brought the Two Fiends of Jiaoling. In the heat of the fight, I accidentally slew them both. These medallions were taken from their bodies."
Ding Ren and Wei An were thunderstruck. Upon hearing this grievous news, grief overcame them, and tears welled up in their eyes. They broke down in loud sobs.
Ding Ren, voice quivering, said,
"So… so our benefactor has already slain the Two Fiends of Jiaoling, removing a dire threat to our sect!"
Wei An choked out,
"If not for the spirits of the Xuan Venerable Yuan Pei and the Huang Venerable Tian Zhi watching over us from the heavens, how would we still be alive today?"
Without regard for the stares of other patrons in the tavern, both men dropped to their knees before Wu Tong, bowing deeply.
"Great Benefactor, please accept our worship!"
Their voices were thick with gratitude and sorrow, drawing curious glances and hushed murmurs from all around.
Wu Tong hurried forward to help them up.
"Please, honored elders, rise! This was but a small effort on my part—I cannot accept such a heavy salute. I admire the loyalty you bore to the Xuan and Huang Venerables. But the dead cannot return; I beg you to take care of yourselves."
By now, Liu Yun's eyes were also misted with tears.
"Young Master Wu, this means much to our sect. The Two Fiends of Jiaoling have brought calamity to the martial world for years, slaughtering the innocent. We tried many times to eradicate them, but all attempts failed. Their deaths are not only a great deliverance for our sect, but also for all under heaven. What you have done is truly a deed of great righteousness. The Heavenly Venerable Sect is deeply indebted to you."
Wu Tong waved his hand modestly.
"Miss Liu, you give me too much credit. In the martial world, it is our duty to uphold justice. I never imagined those two had such bitter enmity with your sect."
Ding Ren wiped his tears and said gravely,
"You may not know, Young Master Wu, but years ago, the Two Fiends raided our main altar, slaughtering many disciples and gravely injuring both the Xuan and Huang Venerables. Since then, they vanished without a trace. Now that they have met their deserved fate, our grief is tempered by a measure of solace."
Wu Tong nodded.
"I see. In the world of rivers and lakes, grudges are tangled and endless. Only by holding to justice can such feuds be resolved. It is fate that we meet today—may we join hands in righteous deeds in days to come."
Liu Yun's gaze grew firm.
"You speak truly. Our Heavenly Venerable Sect may not be a great orthodox school, but we have always upheld chivalry. To meet you and Young Master Zhao today is our sect's good fortune. Should you ever need us, we will give our full aid."
Her eyes glistened again as she said sadly,
"The calamity that befell the Xuan and Huang Venerables has at last been avenged by your hand—proof that heaven's justice never fails. Zhao Gongzi, Wu Gongzi, today's meeting is both joyful and sorrowful. We have duties that cannot be delayed, but on the fourteenth day of the fourth month, our sect will hold the consecration ceremony of the Lingxiao Hall at Mount Jiuhua. We sincerely hope you will attend, that we may honor you as guests of the highest esteem."
Wei An added,
"Zhao Gongzi, Wu Gongzi, parting today is a regret. When we meet again, we shall drink until neither can stand!"
Wu Tong, whose nature was hearty and forthright, found himself kindred in spirit with them.
"Elders, your wine cups are strong indeed. When we meet again, I shall gladly accept the challenge."
The company parted reluctantly at the tavern doors. As they walked away, Liu Yun—the daughter of the sect master—looked back more than once, her gaze lingering softly on Zhao Rou.
After the three from the Heavenly Venerable Sect had gone, Wu Tong and Zhao Rou walked side by side. Night was deepening, and the stars shone like scattered gems. Wu Tong smiled with meaning in his tone.
"Rou'er, did you notice? That Miss Liu seems to have eyes only for you."
There was a teasing glint in his eyes.
Zhao Rou's cheeks flushed at once.
"Young Master, you jest! I am a woman—how could Miss Liu possibly…"
Her voice trailed off, her embarrassment plain.
Wu Tong chuckled, feigning solemnity.
"I never said you were a woman. Right now, you're Zhao Gongzi!"
Zhao Rou's heart fluttered.
"Surely… surely not. How could Miss Liu have such thoughts about me?"
Wu Tong, amused by her flustered manner, felt an even deeper admiration for her wit and learning. His voice softened.
"Rou'er, today your words sparkled like pearls, and your learning shone bright. I was deeply impressed. From now on, don't call me 'Young Master'—call me Brother Tong."
Her heart leapt, though she still protested.
"That would not do—master and servant must keep their places. Unless…"
Wu Tong was intrigued.
"Unless what?"
Her eyes lowered, cheeks flushed pink.
"Unless… you call me Sister Rou."
Warmth welled in Wu Tong's chest. Seeing no harm in it, he laughed heartily.
"Why not? Sister Rou!"
Her face bloomed like a flower; she whispered shyly,
"Brother Tong…"
The tenderness in her tone seemed to weave a soft light over the night around them.
Wu Tong, moved by her bashfulness, looked up at the sky.
"Sister Rou, it's late. Let's find an inn for the night."
She nodded.
"As you say, Brother Tong."
They shared a smile, mounted their horses, and rode into the night. Starlight poured over them, lending a quiet romance to the feelings taking root between them.
One day, they came to a small village. Green hills surrounded it, clear waters murmured through it, peach and plum blossoms lined the embankments, and the spring breeze brought a serenity that refreshed the soul.
As Wu Tong rode, his gaze chanced to fall upon Zhao Rou's profile—her brows like spring willow, eyes like autumn waves, her face fresh as a flower, radiant under the sunlight. His heart stirred with an unspoken emotion.
She sensed his gaze, her cheeks tinged pink.
"Brother Tong, why do you look at me so?"
His smile held admiration.
"Sister Rou, you are fair of face and bright of mind, well-read and accomplished. To wander the martial world with me is to bury a pearl in the dust."
Her heart warmed, but she also sighed.
"Had I not met you that day, I would not know where fate would have taken me. To follow you is already my good fortune."
Wu Tong, ever generous of spirit, said gently,
"Let us not dwell on the past. Since we are sworn as brother and sister, there's no need for ceremony between us."
But Zhao Rou shook her head firmly.
"You hold a place far above mine. I promised Madam that I would serve you for three years in repayment for burying my father. This promise I will never forget."
Just then, shouts erupted ahead, the clash of weapons ringing through the air—two parties locked in fierce battle. Wu Tong's brow furrowed.
"Let's go see!"
They spurred their horses toward the sound.
Before a deserted temple, a man was beset by four assailants. The one under siege had a high nose and deep-set eyes, clearly not of the Central Plains, clad in a Taoist robe. Sweat streamed down his face; he had fought long and was flagging. Three of his attackers were the infamous Three Ghosts of Lingnan. The fourth, about forty, had a cold, frost-like countenance—a master by his bearing.
Wu Tong's heart blazed with righteous anger.
"Stop! Four against one—such conduct is unworthy of honorable men!"
His voice cracked like thunder, breaking the taut tension of the fight.
The four turned as one toward Wu Tong and Zhao Rou. Wu Tong rode forward, eyes sharp as lightning, his bearing righteous and unyielding, clearly intent on intervening. Zhao Rou followed close, her gaze resolute—ready to stand at his side.