Wu Tong and Zhao Rou rode north, intending to visit Wu Tong's elder brother, Wu Xun, who was now serving as the magistrate of Penglai County in Dengzhou, Hebei Circuit, and enjoyed considerable renown. One day, as the two galloped along the road, a troop of riders suddenly thundered past in the distance, the pounding of hooves echoing like drums. When Wu Tong and Zhao Rou drew nearer, they found the scene ahead in chaos — two forces were locked in fierce combat. One side had been surrounded by a large number of riders, blades flashing, killing cries shaking the sky. The clash of steel rang out without pause, mingling with screams and shouts.
As they observed, a lone figure suddenly leapt into the fray. Sword in hand, his strikes were swift and ruthless, and within moments several men fell with cries of pain. The middle-aged man stood tall and straight amid the battlefield, his eyes cold, and shouted in a voice that rang like iron, "If you value your lives, leave at once!" The commanding tone froze all who heard it.
This was none other than the famed "Blood for Justice" — Han Zhen, tall, broad-shouldered, and imposing, the eleventh leader of the Loyal Justice Hall, known across the martial world for his chivalry and loyalty. Opposing him was a band of men in black, their leader a clean-shaven man of about forty with a round face and sinister eyes — the "Stone-Splitting Demon Palm" Yin Li. In a low, gravelly voice he said, "Han Zhen, this past month you've raced night and day, scaling mountains and braving gorges, covering more than two thousand li. Now that I've finally caught up to you, I'll waste no words: hand over Madam Yang, and you may go free."
Han Zhen frowned, his sword quivering slightly, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "Stone-Splitting Demon Palm Yin Li — who is this Madam Yang? Do not spout nonsense."
Yin Li laughed, his tone mocking. "The leader of Loyal Justice Hall is indeed strict in discipline and duty — something I almost admire. But the Tang Emperor's little play at Mawei Post fooled the soldiers, not me!" Before his voice had faded, he sprang toward a carriage nearby, bounding forward in a few quick leaps. As he reached it, the curtain flew up and a gleam of cold steel shot out — a sharp sword thrust straight toward him. Yin Li twisted away, flipping to the ground, then chuckled aloud. "So secretive… does that not make one curious?"
Inwardly he thought, Isn't this just like the saying, "There's no silver buried here"? That strike just confirmed Madam Yang is inside. He was about to investigate further when a faint breeze stirred the curtain, bringing with it a delicate fragrance that made his heart stir.
Then a woman's cold, steady voice came from inside: "Sneaking about, prying into others' affairs — shameful!" The curtain lifted, and a graceful middle-aged beauty stepped out. Her gaze was sharp, her bearing regal. This was Yang Mi, wife of "Blood for Justice" Han Zhen. Looking him in the eye, she said firmly, "I'll speak plainly — there is indeed a young lady in the carriage, but she is not this Madam Yang you speak of."
Yin Li's eyes narrowed. "Since it is not Madam Yang, may I at least be granted a meeting, to see her face?"
Yang Mi smiled faintly, though her tone was icy. "And if you see her? And if you do not?"
Yin Li laughed. "I come on the order of the King of Tubo to welcome Madam Yang. If she will come to Tubo, she will enjoy the King's highest favor."
Han Zhen's eyes blazed. "Yin Li! You are a Tang subject, yet you consort with the enemy. Do you know your crime?"
Yin Li's expression shifted briefly, but he quickly regained composure, smiling thinly. "Treason? I cannot bear such a charge. I am merely entrusted by the Tubo King, who admires the Noble Consort's beauty, to invite her to Tubo — nothing more."
Yang Mi gave a cold snort. "Such fine words — but in truth, you've simply taken the Tubo King's gold."
Yin Li only smiled, then turned to the carriage and called out with feigned respect, "Your Grace, allow me to speak frankly — the chaos is not your fault. The Emperor, pressed by his soldiers and eager to shift the blame, has cast you as the ruinous beauty, abandoned you for all to despise. Since His Majesty has been so heartless, why not seek a wiser ruler?"
At this, silence fell over the scene. All eyes turned toward the carriage.
A woman's sobs came from within, followed by a trembling, sorrowful voice: "I was once the wife of Prince Shou, but His Majesty desired me. Believing he was Heaven's chosen and a wise ruler, I obeyed, first becoming a Taoist nun called Taizhen, later returning to the world to enter the palace as his Noble Consort. I was greatly favored… yet now, with An Lushan's rebellion, I am cursed as the cause of disaster!" Her voice broke into weeping again.
Those present could not help but feel pity. In ancient China, Yang Guifei had married both father and son, condemned as immoral.
History records that Emperor Xuanzong was the Tang's longest-reigning ruler — wise and decisive in youth, skilled in music and calligraphy. In the first thirty years of his forty-four-year reign, the Kaiyuan era was the Tang's golden age. But in later years, neglect, poor policies, and reliance on An Lushan brought on the eight-year An-Shi Rebellion. Rebels captured Chang'an, and the Emperor fled to Sichuan. At Mawei Post, surrounded by soldiers demanding her death, he ordered Yang Guifei hanged to appease them. Known for her beauty and grace, she had been chosen for the Emperor's side and accused of ruining the state. After her arrival, the Emperor drowned himself in pleasures, sending agents far and wide to seek beautiful women. According to the Old Book of Tang: "In the Kaiyuan and Tianbao eras, there were some 40,000 palace women across the imperial residences."
Just then, two riders approached — Wu Tong and Zhao Rou. Wu Tong called out, "What business is this, blocking the road? Are you bandits?"
Yin Li's face darkened. "I'm in the middle of important matters. Why do you meddle?"
Zhao Rou's brows arched sharply. "Is this road yours? You block the way, and we're to detour?"
Yin Li gave a cold smile and gestured. Instantly, the black-clad men fanned out, surrounding Wu Tong and Zhao Rou. The air grew tense.
Wu Tong dismounted calmly, patting his horse to send it toward Zhao Rou. Smiling faintly, he said, "If you're bandits, we've no silver — are you here for our lives instead?"
Rage flared in Yin Li's eyes. This brat dares call me a roadside thief? He barked, "You're courting death! Get them!"
In an instant, blades flashed, killing intent surged, and the clash of steel rang out — the fight had begun!