Gentlemen's Contest — A Clash at the Pinnacle
Wu Tong stepped forward, voice ringing clear:
"In a contest of arms, there are rules. How can you strike with such venom? In all things, one should know when to stop!"
The Black Dragon Sect's Western Heavenly King, Xiao Cheng, gave a cold snort. A flicker of disdain flashed in his eyes as he said in a deep voice:
"You have repeatedly interfered in our affairs. What is it you seek?"
Wu Tong stood tall, sword brows and starry eyes, his bearing radiant and unshakable:
"I have no wish to stir trouble, but when I encounter injustice, I must draw my blade in righteousness!"
Black Dragon Sect's Chief, Murong Gui, had sent Xiao Cheng into battle precisely to secure a much-needed victory — and indeed, the outcome was as he had hoped. Now, unwilling to cross swords with Wu Tong head-on, Murong Gui let a faint smile into his tone:
"Young Hero Wu, the Heavenly Venerate Sect issued the challenge to our sect. It is natural for both sides to meet in honorable combat. As Mencius said, 'Without rules, there is no square nor circle.'"
Wu Tong smiled faintly, confidence in his gaze:
"Indeed, we may cross arms — yet it should be as with your sect's Law Kings and the Heavenly Venerate Sect's Envoys, fighting with dignity and bearing so as to earn the respect of all under Heaven. Mencius also said, 'In friendship, adhere to the Way; in dealings, uphold propriety.' But when the outcome is already decided, and you still seek to take a man's life — is that the act of the righteous path, Chief Murong?"
Murong Gui had invoked Mencius to speak of rules; Wu Tong now returned his own words in kind, sharp as a drawn blade. Their duel of tongues was no less fierce than the clash of fists and palms.
Though displeased, Murong Gui was forced to admit inwardly that this young hero possessed not only great martial skill, but a quick wit and eloquence beyond measure. Calculating the situation — with his side outnumbered — he knew further escalation could cost the Black Dragon Sect dearly. Xiao Cheng, though fierce, was quick to anger and could easily spoil matters. Those who achieve great deeds must know when to advance and when to yield.
At last, Murong Gui said slowly:
"Young Hero Wu speaks with reason. This bout was won fairly by our Western Heavenly King Xiao Cheng, with no trickery — victory well earned!"
A roar of approval swept through the Black Dragon Sect's ranks. The first two bouts had ended in draws; this was their first clear win, lifting their spirits.
Wu Tong, still smiling faintly, said:
"To subdue men by force is not to win their hearts; to subdue them with virtue is to win their sincere allegiance. I hope Chief Murong will ponder this well."
These words drew murmurs of admiration from all present. Though young, Wu Tong could hold his own in debate before the gathered heroes of the realm, every sentence grounded in reason. The Black Dragon Sect had taken the victory, but in matters of martial virtue, they stood the lesser.
Murong Gui, narrowing his eyes, knew he could not press too hard. He let the matter rest and turned the focus back to the match:
"Young Hero Wu is learned and broad in vision. Let us set this aside for now. Does the Heavenly Venerate Sect have any other champions to send forth?"
Earth Venerate Wei An vs. Eastern Heavenly King Yang Chao
From the Heavenly Venerate Sect stepped a tall, lean man, sword brows arched, voice clear as a bell:
"Wei An, Earth Venerate of the Heavenly Venerate Sect, requests the honor of crossing hands with the Black Dragon Sect!"
Wei An, about forty, stood straight as a spear, his gaze sharp as an eagle's, exuding a calm yet commanding air.
Murong Gui quickly weighed his options. Of the Four Heavenly Kings, the Southern King Hong Qi had lost an arm and could not fight; the Northern King Wei Chang was still reeling from the blow of the Wine-Beggar Fei Jin. Only the Eastern Heavenly King Yang Chao was fit for battle.
"Yang Chao, the field is yours!" Murong Gui commanded.
Yang Chao leapt forward with agile grace, cupped his fists, and declared:
"Yang Chao, Eastern Heavenly King — I humbly request your guidance!"
Known for his elusive movement and adaptability, Yang Chao was a master of feints and counters, a stark contrast to Xiao Cheng's brute force.
Wei An's eyes narrowed; suddenly, they flashed with light as he sprang forward, unleashing twin palm strikes!
"Good!" Yang Chao laughed, stepping back and sidestepping with swift precision. The first two palms slid past harmlessly, but the third, brimming with gathered qi, was upon him. Yang Chao met it head-on — palm to palm.
Bang! Energy rippled outward as they crossed, their figures intertwining like shadows, exchanging dozens of moves in mere moments. A booming clash sent both men skidding back five or six steps.
They studied each other, feet shifting subtly, each seeking an opening.
Yang Chao's lips curled into a smirk:
"That was just the appetizer!"
Before his words had faded, his speed exploded — palms whipping forward like a storm!
Wei An guarded with crossed palms, then suddenly drifted back three steps and said with a smile:
"Now for the main course!"
With that, his palms lashed out six times in rapid succession, his legs flickering to attack low as his hands struck high. The changes came as swift as lightning.
Yang Chao's gaze hardened. He swept his arms in a tight flurry, sealing Wei An's angles — but Wei An suddenly folded his body, snapping his right fist upward toward Yang Chao's chin!
Whump! Yang Chao twisted aside, smothering the blow with his left palm while his right fist whipped toward Wei An's face.
Fist and palm met, qi surging in waves; thirty moves passed in the blink of an eye. Yang Chao's eyes narrowed, his left leg bending as his right leg snapped out, followed by a chain of seven rapid palms, hammering toward Wei An's chest and head!
Wei An parried as best he could, but his strength was waning, breath not yet recovered. His stance wavered—
Bang! Bang! Yang Chao, seeing the outcome decided, did not press further. He cupped his fists and said clearly:
"Thank you for the exchange."
Wei An, ever the gentleman, returned the bow and turned away.
"The gentleman contends without contention," the crowd murmured, quoting the Analects. "In archery, they bow and yield, ascend and drink — such is the gentleman's contest."
Applause thundered across the field. Yang Chao, mindful of Wu Tong's earlier rebuke, had not followed Xiao Cheng's example. Victory was his; there was no need to show cruelty and ruin his chief's designs. Wei An, unruffled in bearing, returned the salute and left the stage.
That day, both men displayed not only skill but the true spirit of the martial world — earning the cheers and respect of all present.