All the black-clad men gripped their swords. Suddenly, one of them leapt into the air as if rising from solid ground, blade flashing downward toward Wu Tong. Yet Wu Tong did not draw his own weapon; instead, he lifted the sheathed blade and swept it across. With a dull thud, the attacker groaned and staggered back. The others, though startled, did not falter. One after another they lunged with their swords.
Wu Tong raised his right hand, blocking with the scabbard, then swung the back of the blade in a sudden arc. Two men cried out in pain, stumbling aside. The rest instinctively shrank back half a step. With a shouted command, they wheeled and closed in on Li Jian, while four figures darted about like shadows. Steel flickered. Wu Tong sensed the rush of wind at his left, dropped low to evade, then suddenly sprang upward, his body twisting in the air. His leg lashed out—four screams echoed as the attackers were hurled aside. Wu Tong landed, gaze sweeping the field, his presence sharp and commanding.
"Kai-bei Demon Palm" Yin Li watched in shock. "Boy, state your name!"
Wu Tong remained calm, smiling as he replied,"Under Heaven I walk in courtesy and honor. My name is Wu Tong—unchanged whether seated or traveling."
At the name, Yin Li was shaken. He thought to himself: The two foremost youths of the martial world—one is Jia Yong of Hebei, the other Wu Tong of Lingnan. Could this be…? With a cold snort he said aloud,"The saying goes: 'North Jia Yong, South Wu Tong.' Are you truly that Wu Tong of Lingnan?"
Wu Tong bowed slightly. "I am he. May I ask what guidance you intend to give?"
Yin Li clasped his hands. "Young brother, your fame is well earned. Yet this matter has nothing to do with you. Do not interfere!"
Wu Tong laughed deliberately. "Broad daylight, and you bandits dare block the road—are you here for gold, or for lives?"
Just then, a woman in a tight azure outfit appeared at Yin Li's side, her voice sharp and scornful:"Brat! Out of respect for your name, Yin Li speaks kindly. But this has nothing to do with you. Do not meddle—or suffer the consequences!"
Before Wu Tong could answer, Zhao Rou, standing nearby, flushed with anger. This woman must rely too much on her skills, she thought. "If you have ability, then show it!"
The woman was strikingly beautiful, well-kept despite her years, though with a trace of the courtesan about her. She was Gao Siyao, known across the jianghu as the Jade Guanyin—a femme fatale who ensnared men of rank and power, a notorious killer with a smile.
The Jade Guanyin sneered. "Little girl, quite the tongue. It seems I'll have to show you some true skill."
Zhao Rou dismounted lightly, walking forward. "Do you think I fear you?"
The woman's rage boiled over. With a sudden sidestep she sprang, palm lashing out like lightning. Zhao Rou pivoted, slipping past the blow. "So hostile at first strike!"
The Jade Guanyin roared, "Before me, you dare to act proud!" Her form surged forward, force like a storm. Zhao Rou, seeing her nature was fierce and combative, steadied her breath. Their palms clashed in a flurry, every strike sharp and perilous, the air alive with surging wind, robes fluttering wildly. The crowd held its breath.
Then, with a shake, the Jade Guanyin broke free, twin palms flashing like thunder, waves of force surging. Zhao Rou's gaze sharpened. She countered with her art Truth Within Illusion—her right palm drove straight toward the chest. The woman dodged sideways, but the strike was a feint. In an instant Zhao Rou's left palm transformed, shooting in! Caught off guard, the Jade Guanyin leapt back in haste, barely escaping, her movements unsteady.
Realizing the girl's moves were strange and unpredictable, she dared not treat her lightly. Again they exchanged blows, twenty moves flashing by in heartbeats. At last the Jade Guanyin lunged, fingers clawing for Zhao Rou's chest acupoint. Zhao Rou twisted, narrowly avoiding, then spun her arm. Her palm coiled into a fist—Fist Within Palm! Like a dragon, her punch swept in from the left. The woman raised a guard, but Zhao Rou's shift was too swift. The fist shattered her defense and struck hard against her chest.
With a cry, the Jade Guanyin staggered back several steps before steadying herself, eyes dark with shock and unwillingness. Zhao Rou smiled faintly, clasped her hands, and said,"I am unworthy. Just a humble display of my poor skills."Her tone was gentle, but her confidence shone through.
Yin Li hurried forward. "Young lady, fine skills indeed. But this matter does not concern you. Best you leave now. We will grant you passage—be on your way."
Wu Tong, feigning ignorance, laughed. "What? You bandits block the road, then ask us to leave first? That won't do. When injustice appears, one draws the blade to help. These people will be leaving with us!"
Yin Li's face darkened. "Wu Tong, I respected you. Do not push me. My patience has limits!"
But Wu Tong was determined. "The world knows your famed Kai-bei Palm. To meet you here is my fortune. Allow me to test your skill!"
Yin Li's fury erupted. "Ignorant pup! You dare be so brazen? This I cannot endure!" With a roar he lunged, palm striking fast and fierce. Wu Tong shifted, unleashing the Cloud Hand's eighth form—Vanishing Traces. Yin Li struck only empty air, baffled. "How do you know this move? What is your relation to Fearless Lü Qiang?"
Wu Tong straightened. "Hero Lü Qiang is a man of greatness. Outside Guangzhou I once met him. He passed me this art, a gift beyond measure."
Yin Li thought, So the boy had such fortune! No wonder he is counted among the two foremost youths of our age! He growled, "Wu Tong, heed me well. Interfere again and you will regret it!"
Wu Tong answered coldly, "Ridiculous! You block the road and threaten travelers, yet ask me not to meddle? By the law of the jianghu, let our hands decide!"
Enraged, Yin Li hurled himself forward once more. Wu Tong no longer retreated. He struck with Palm Within Fist, a sudden blow flashing like lightning. Yin Li met it head-on, palm against fist. Their inner strength collided with a thunderous crack, both forced back several steps.
Just then, from within the carriage, a figure emerged. A woman stepped down—tall, graceful, every movement radiating elegance. Skin like snow, features as delicate as jade, her beauty dazzled all who saw. Yet her face carried sorrow, her voice soft and plaintive:
"Honored heroes, beneath this burning sun, I suffer greatly in the carriage. I beg your mercy. Allow us to depart this day—surely the contest can wait for another time."
She bowed lightly, lifting her sleeve to wipe the sweat from her brow. At that moment, under the blazing noon sun, her presence seemed to wash away the heat itself. All eyes were entranced. This was none other than the Lady Yang, who called herself Yu-nu—the Precious Consort in exile. In her noble grace, even in flight, she shone peerlessly.