The Demon-Subduing Arhat Ge Tianhan staggered back, a deep gash across his back. Enraged, he roared:
"Demon-Quelling Arhat Zhao Du! This constable has some skill—let us strike together and finish him!"
Zhao Du bellowed assent, raising his blade. But just as he charged, Zhao Rou stepped forward, sword flashing to block.
"According to the rules of the jianghu," she cried, "a duel between men is fought one against one! Do not interfere!"
Zhao Du sneered when he saw she was a woman.
"Filthy wench! Step aside, or you'll be the next corpse beneath my blade!"
But in that instant—a scream split the air. Ge Tianhan's chest was pierced through by Constable Li Lu's steel. With a final cry, he collapsed lifeless to the ground.
Zhao Du's fury shook the rafters.
"Kill them all! Avenge the Demon-Subduing Arhat! Slaughter everyone here!"
At once, thirty to fifty white-robed zealots rushed forward, blades gleaming.
"Stop!" Wu Tong's voice thundered. The cultists halted, startled. Wu Tong turned to Li Lu.
"Constable, you and your men stand back. My brother bade me handle this with the ways of the jianghu. Against such rabble, my blade alone is more than enough."
Zhao Du roared, "Boy, I care not who you are! Today only one of us will walk away alive!"
Wu Tong's voice rang out like rolling thunder:
"When the Wolong Saber is drawn, no demon can stand! Retreat now, or face slaughter without mercy!"
Zhao Du only screamed, "Attack!"
Several zealots leapt forward, knives raised. Wu Tong's sleeve flicked, his saber already flashing. With one palm strike, a man was hurled back, skull shattered against the stones. Two others slashed at him—Wu Tong slipped aside with lightning speed. His palms struck, two dull cracks sounded, and both fell dead before they hit the ground.
Zhao Du shouted, "Do not fear! Take the Maitreya Elixir! Even ghosts and gods cannot harm us!"
At once, the cultists each produced a black pill and swallowed. Their eyes flared with madness, bodies convulsing as frenzy overtook them. Wu Tong's heart chilled. Such sorcery… truly monstrous.
He drew a breath, voice like a bell:
"Since matters have gone this far—only thunderous methods can show a bodhisattva's mercy!"
The cultists, drugged and brainwashed by the True Lord Maitreya, surged like a tidal wave. Wu Tong drew the Wolong Saber—steel sang, blue light flashing like a rainbow. The saber howled through the air, each stroke unstoppable, sweeping aside men like grass before the storm. Blood sprayed, bodies split. Screams tore the night as the ground was littered with corpses—shattered limbs, crushed skulls, entrails spilling.
In moments, the field was drenched in crimson. Only Zhao Du remained. Wu Tong's blade spun, parried, then smashed with its back against Zhao Du's ribs. The giant howled in pain, only to be struck by a sudden thrust—Wu Tong's finger lightning-fast, sealing Zhao Du's chest acupoint at the Shanzhong. The brute froze, paralyzed.
Zhao Rou approached.
"Brother Tong, why not kill this monster outright?"
Constable Li Lu also came forward with his men.
"Master Wu, shall we strike directly at the Maitreya Sect stronghold?"
Wu Tong nodded.
"Exactly my intent—strike before they expect it."
Li Lu seized Zhao Du, binding him in irons. "You live for now. You will guide us to your 'True Lord.' Then we shall see what miracle he dares show!"
Zhao Du spat coldly:
"The True Lord's divine power is beyond all. You petty worms will never glimpse his true face!"
The company sneered at such nonsense. Zhao Rou, however, stepped forward with a courteous bow.
"Then trouble yourself to lead us. We are ignorant wanderers—let us meet your revered 'True Lord Maitreya.'"
Zhao Du gave a contemptuous snort, but relented.
"Hmph! Girl, at least you show some sense. Very well—I shall take you."
The abbot of the ruined temple came forth, palms together, bowing low.
"Amitabha! The Great Compassion Monastery owes its survival to the heroes and the officials tonight."
Wu Tong saluted with folded hands.
"Abbot, I am Wu Tong, Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness. Today's slaughter was necessity, not desire. I beg you to tend to the aftermath."
The abbot's gratitude overflowed.
"If Heaven permits, may you one day send learned monks to restore this temple's practice."
Wu Tong bowed again.
"I shall remember."
Mounting their steeds, they rode west. After forty li they reached the sect's stronghold. At the gates, Li Lu kicked Zhao Du forward.
"Go in and announce us!"
Zhao Du stumbled, then shouted hoarsely:
"Officials have come to destroy the Maitreya Sect! Report at once!"
Guards rushed out—one supporting him, another hurrying inside. Soon, masses of followers poured forth. From within emerged the leaders: the True Lord Maitreya, the Demon-Subduing Dharma King Gao Jie, and the Demon-Quelling Dharma King Mo Xiang.
Gao Jie, towering and broad, head shaven, barked:
"Why such clamor? You disturb our holy cultivation!"
Zhao Du crawled forward, kneeling:
"My lords! The officials sent men to annihilate us. All of our brethren fell—only I escaped with my life! The enemy has reached our gates!"
He burst into tears.
At that moment, the True Lord Maitreya was borne forth on a palanquin, eyes gleaming with cruel light. His voice cut like iron:
"How could the officials reach our very stronghold?"
Zhao Du stammered, trembling, unable to answer. "I… I… I do not know!"
Suddenly, a rustle of silk robes—Maitreya leapt from his seat like an arrow from the string. A thunderous boom! In an instant Zhao Du's body was hurled through the air, landing limp and lifeless.
The True Lord's eyes blazed with fury.
"What use have I for a failure!"