Suddenly, a cold voice rang out:"Boy—so you have the leisure to admire the scenery?"
Before the words had faded, three figures sliced through the air, ghostlike under the dusk, appearing soundlessly behind the trio. The three wore robes of black, blue, and green, their bodies radiating a chill, sinister air.
Wu Tong's heart jolted. Looking closely, he saw that the leader was none other than one of the Two Evils of Huainan—Ma Ji. A chill ran through him. Clearly, they had come for revenge.
At this moment, the two sides each numbered three; their forces were matched. Wu Tong, of course, felt no fear. With a flick of his folding fan—swish—it opened in his hand. His gaze turned cold, and he said with mocking disdain:"On such a fine night, to have someone so lacking in refinement come seeking revenge—truly a way to spoil the mood."
Ma Ji sneered, eyes glittering with murderous intent. His voice rose in a harsh shout:"The grudge of that day must be avenged! Wu Tong, today I've specially brought the Two Freaks of Western Yunnan to aid me. This time, you'll pay for blood with blood!"
For on that day, when the Two Evils of Huainan fought Wu Tong, Huang Qi had underestimated his foe and was blasted into the air, gravely injured and unconscious. Even after half a year, his internal wounds had not healed. Such humiliation could not be swallowed.
Zhao Rou snorted coldly, her eyes flashing."If you think to bully us with numbers, you may be in for a surprise. Best take a good look at the situation before you speak."
The elder of the Two Freaks, Ruan Kang, grinned obscenely, his gaze lingering on Zhao Rou and Liu Yun with lecherous hunger."Ma Ji, why didn't you say there'd be two peerless beauties here?"
Ruan Le, eyes clouded with lust, stared at Zhao Rou without blinking, so intent that saliva nearly dripped from his mouth. He sucked it back with a wet sound and leered:"That one's mine."
Ruan Kang's eyes gleamed with greed."And that little miss is like a fairy descended to earth—let me have her."
Zhao Rou and Liu Yun, seeing their lewd expressions, went pale with disgust, their hearts surging with loathing. They wanted nothing more than to cut the pair down on the spot. Wu Tong's eyes blazed with fury. He stepped forward, shielding the two women, and his voice cracked like thunder:"Have you two grown tired of living? I, Wu Tong, have made it my life's work to slay demons and evil men. If you don't get out of my sight, you'll reap the consequences here and now!"
But the Two Freaks, lust-driven as ever, had no thought of retreat. Ruan Le laughed harshly."You can leave, but the girls stay. Beauties like these—how could we let them go? As for Ma Ji's revenge, my brother and I needn't get involved. Let you two fight to the death—it's all the same to us!"
Ma Ji had no interest in women, only vengeance. Hearing their words, rage flared in him."Ruan brothers, if you want to chase skirts, I won't interfere—but that boy Wu Tong must die!"
Ruan Le, lust clouding his reason, barked back,"Not possible! Revenge is your business. You couldn't manage it yourself, so you asked us to help. Now if we can enjoy ourselves and let the boy walk away, why not?"
Wu Tong seized the chance to sow discord."Ma Ji, why don't you leave? You and I can settle our grudge another day. Seems these two don't think much of the Huainan Two Evils."
Ma Ji saw through the ploy immediately."Don't underestimate him, Ruan brothers. Only with the three of us together can we hope to win. Once he's down, you can do as you please."
Ruan Kang nodded."Agreed."
Wu Tong knew further talk was useless. Only thunderous action would do. In the jianghu, whether east or west, north or south, might rules. He felt his fighting spirit surge. In a ringing voice, he said:"Sisters, today I will slay these three villains in the name of justice!"
All four held their breath. Victory or death—there was no more to be said. Wu Tong snapped his fan shut—swish—and said,"Make your move!"
Inwardly, he thought: No mercy like Duke Xiang of Song—strike when the enemy is unprepared!
Ma Ji lunged first, both palms driving forward. Wu Tong folded his fan, slipped aside in a flash. The Two Freaks closed in instantly, but Wu Tong met them head-on. In an instant, attack and defense reversed.
As the art of war says: Strike them midstream, when they have yet to cross.
The fan in Wu Tong's hand moved like a sword. In a sudden blur, he lashed out—so fast the Two Freaks froze. Unable to advance or retreat, they each took a blow from his fan and cried out in pain. Ma Ji, rushing in to strike from behind, found Wu Tong spinning on his heel. The fan flew from his hand as his right palm shot forward, full force.
Ma Ji had no room to dodge and could only meet the strike with his own palm. But Wu Tong had prepared for this—ten-tenths of his strength behind the blow, as fierce and unending as a crashing tide.
Bang!
Ma Ji was blasted several yards into the air. Hitting the ground, his face turned ashen. Blood spurted from his mouth, and moments later, he lay still—dead.
The Two Freaks stared, shocked. They exchanged a glance—then attacked again. Ruan Le chopped down with his palm. Wu Tong sidestepped, spun, and brought the edge of his left hand down on his neck. Ruan Le yelped in pain. Ruan Kang lunged in, and the two fought at close quarters, palms flashing.
Ruan Le roared and charged back into the fray. One man against two, Wu Tong stood his ground—until suddenly he used Shifting Stars, Moving Constellations. His footwork shifted, and in a heartbeat, the Two Freaks were striking each other.
When they closed again, Wu Tong unleashed Illusion into Reality—seven real strikes, three feints, the technique mysterious beyond measure. The Two Freaks, already weakening, could not block. Wu Tong's qi surged from his dantian; two consecutive palms exploded forth.
Bang! Bang!
Two screams rang out. Both men were hurled into the air, crashing heavily to the ground. Blood filled their mouths; their legs twitched once, then stilled.
Just then, a large force arrived. Zhao Rou and Liu Yun, startled, turned—and saw Wu Tong standing over three corpses. They remembered the Wine Beggar Fei Jin's words:"In all my life, I have met countless people. I do not boast—this man is a hero beyond doubt, one to whom you may entrust your hearts."
At the head of the newcomers, Right Dharma King Shi Kai froze at the sight of his three men dead. His face twisted in fury."You again, boy?"
Even with enemies before him, Wu Tong remained calm, a faint smile playing on his lips.Like Mount Tai unmoved before collapse, like a stag undisturbed at his side.
Bending to pick up his folding fan, he flicked it open—swish."One word to heaven, polite in peace, steadfast in name and deed—I am Wu Tong."
Shi Kai snorted."What grudge has my Black Dragon Sect with you, that you block us at every turn?"
Wu Tong's gaze was steady, his bearing proud, fan in hand, robe fluttering."I have no wish to meddle—but when I meet injustice, I must draw my blade. Today, these three came seeking vengeance. Had I shown mercy, they would now have surrounded me, leaving me helpless in your hands. Better to strike first than to end as a fish upon the chopping board."