The Black Dragon Sect Leader Murong Gui never imagined that, before the eyes of the entire martial world, one of his most trusted lieutenants would be slain with a single palm strike. Rage surged in him instantly. Cold light flared in his eyes, and his pale face turned a shade of iron-blue. Murderous intent spilled from his brows, his whole body exuding a suffocating, razor-sharp aura.
His gaze, like a bolt of lightning, swept toward the one who had struck—and to his surprise, he saw an elderly beggar in ragged clothes.
The man's face was square and dignified, a short beard at his chin, appearing to be in his fifties. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his palms thick and powerful, and even the smallest movement carried a natural, unforced strength. Though his robe was patched in many places, it was washed clean, with no trace of filth. On his back hung a large crimson-lacquered gourd, and his entire bearing carried a natural authority that commanded respect.
Murong Gui's expression shifted slightly, but he forced down his anger and composed himself. In a low, steady voice, he said,"I am Murong Gui, leader of the Black Dragon Sect."
The moment he spoke, a murmur of surprise swept through the crowd. All around, martial heroes began whispering in astonishment—the name of the Black Dragon Sect Leader had resounded through the jianghu for more than a decade, his fame and martial prowess unmatched, his reputation as an invincible master firmly established.
A faint cold smile curved his lips. His eyes swept over the assembly like a hawk surveying prey. Then he spoke again, his voice dripping with disdain:"The Beggar Sect Leader's martial skill is indeed impressive—worthy of admiration. But now, the Xiongwuwang Emperor acts in accord with Heaven's will, raising troops to punish the Tang. His armies are undefeated, his assaults unstoppable. Heaven's mandate is with him. He has already taken the Eastern Capital, Luoyang; reports say Tong Pass has fallen, and the Western Capital, Chang'an, will soon be in our hands. You call yourselves righteous heroes, yet you do not see the great tide of history? Those who follow prosper; those who oppose perish."
His words were strong, brimming with a tyrant's arrogance. Yet, as the ancients say: The truly good need not argue, and those who argue are seldom good. This speech might not sway the gathered heroes.
Then, a bold voice rang out, powerful and resounding:"Leader of the Black Dragon Sect!"
The crowd parted as a man strode forward with steady steps and an unshakable presence—it was Liu Xuan, leader of the Heavenly Venerable Sect.
Earlier, Liu Xuan's impassioned words had stirred the hearts of all present. Now, he faced Murong Gui directly, his voice like a ringing blade:"Black Dragon Sect Leader, An Lushan is a minister of the Great Tang—he has eaten the Emperor's grain, held the Empire's trust, and risen to the highest offices. Yet he harbors the heart of a wolf, plotting to usurp the Tang and seize the throne. His crime is beyond forgiveness—his treachery beyond pardon!"
The phrases beyond forgiveness and beyond pardon rang out like hammer blows, carrying a righteous force that soared to the heavens. The gathered heroes were moved; anger against the traitor blazed in their eyes. Cries of agreement and calls for justice erupted, and the square shook with applause and shouts.
In the Heavenly Venerable Sect, aside from its leader, there were the Right and Left Envoys and the four Heaven–Earth–Mystic–Yellow Venerables. The Black Dragon Sect, apart from its leader, had the Left and Right Dharma Kings and the Four Heavenly Kings of East, West, South, and North.
Murong Gui's expression darkened at last."So the Heavenly Venerable Sect is determined to oppose my Black Dragon Sect?"
Liu Xuan replied,"This Grand Council to Suppress the Traitors is convened in accordance with Heaven's will. If your purpose differs from ours, you are free to depart—why trouble yourselves to obstruct our cause?"
His voice could no longer hide his dissatisfaction at the Black Dragon Sect's constant interference. In his eyes, they were aiding the tyrant An Lushan—handing him the very blade to strike at the Tang.
At that moment, some of the Black Dragon Sect's allied villains began to grow restless. One man burst from the rear ranks, pointing at Liu Xuan and shouting:"How dare you, Heavenly Venerable Sect! The Black Dragon Sect Leader has spoken reason, yet you refuse to hear. Our Xiongwuwang Emperor is a man of great talent and vision—Chang'an will fall within days! When the dynasty changes, you will all be traitors!"
This man was Wang Chong, known as the Tyrant of Chu, a towering figure with a leopard's head, round eyes, a swallow's chin, and a tiger's beard.
From the crowd stepped the Dragon–Tiger Adept, saying:"An Lushan and his kind are but vermin—short-sighted and unworthy of the people's trust."
Wang Chong only laughed coldly."You are wrong! When Emperor Gaozu of Tang rose at Taiyuan against the Sui, was it not the same?"
As the saying goes: The sun cannot shine twice, the world cannot serve two emperors.
Wu Tong could endure no longer.To ignore right and wrong, to twist good and evil—such scheming is intolerable.
He stepped forward from the crowd and said in a clear voice:"We are gathered today to condemn the traitor An Lushan. If our paths differ, let us each serve our own masters. But why must you liken An Lushan's rebellion to Tang overthrowing Jie or Wu overthrowing Zhou? Such distortion of truth is contemptible. Heroes of the martial world, forgive my bluntness—An Lushan is less than a pig or a dog!"
He recited:
Upon Tengwang Pavilion the heroes meet,The righteous unite to strike the traitor's seat.Yet now is heard the tale of Tang o'erthrown,Their treacherous hearts to all are shown.
His words sent a stir through the crowd. Many eyes turned toward this young man in fine robes. Apart from members of the Black Dragon Sect and a few from the Heavenly Venerable Sect and Zhengyi Sect, none knew who he was, and all were astonished.
Wang Chong, the Tyrant of Chu, flushed with fury at the insult to his "emperor.""Young whelp! How dare you speak so boldly!"
With a roar, he leapt forward, palm raised to strike."Youngster! Such insolence will not be tolerated!"
Wu Tong met his palm with his own, their hands clashing."Every word I spoke is the truth—none of it false!"
Wang Chong's rage deepened, his face turning green with anger, until he could barely speak for fury. Murder flashed in his eyes; his palms came down with ferocious force, each blow heavier than the last.
"An Lushan is—" he began.
Wu Tong slipped aside with the Eight Forms of Cloud Hands, the move Looking East, Glancing West, and cut in:"—a beast unworthy of the name!"
Wang Chong's face turned from green to black with humiliation. He tried again:"The Xiongwuwang Emperor is—"
Wu Tong's Six Forms of Phantom Palm flashed out, the move Fist in the Palm, cutting him off:"—a beast unworthy of the name!"
Wang Chong's darkened face grew even more livid. In desperation, he shouted:"You are all—"
Wu Tong's Truth as Illusion came like lightning, his palm already upon Wang Chong before the words could form."—righteous men!"
A flurry of palms followed, leaving Wang Chong no room to evade. Then Wu Tong's arm swept out in a single, overwhelming strike.
BANG!
The blow landed squarely on Wang Chong's chest. His blood and qi churned; his stance faltered; he staggered back several steps before vomiting a mouthful of blood. Several Black Dragon Sect men rushed to catch him, their faces ashen.
The onlookers were stunned. Today's gathering had already taken an unexpected turn— the Black Dragon Sect had come prepared, their intentions dark and hard to read. Yet here was a youth, boldly declaring An Lushan worse than a beast before their very faces. And when confronted by the Chu Tyrant himself, he met him with fearless skill, felling him with a single decisive blow.
The martial assembly could not help but feel a surge of satisfaction—at last, a sharp and well-deserved strike against the Black Dragon Sect's arrogance.