At that moment, the sun broke through the dark clouds, casting down strands of light. Zhao Rou raised her voice and said:"So-called Maitreya True Lord—you claim to be the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha. At a time like this, why not show us a few of your true skills?"
"Maitreya True Lord" flushed with anger. To be mocked into having to "show off a few tricks" was an open insult. He glared and barked:"Impudent little girl, so sharp-tongued! If I don't display my skills today, you won't let it rest!"
But Zhao Rou showed no fear. To strike while the foe is weak—what better moment than now? Her smile turned mocking as she retorted:"The great name of Maitreya True Lord is far too lofty for a mere girl like me to challenge. Instead, why not have the illustrious Master of the Wolong Sect uphold justice on Heaven's behalf?"
Hearing this, "Maitreya True Lord" secretly groaned. He had hoped to pick an easy target, but instead was handed a hard bone to chew. He thought, That boy's martial arts are formidable—I must find a way to escape. His face flushed red, then pale, before he roared:"In broad daylight, don't think you can fool me with your tricks! Boy, if you've got guts, come and try me!"
Wu Tong laughed aloud as he stepped forward:"The Maitreya Sect hides under the Buddha's name, dabbling in spirits and sorcery, plotting rebellion. Yet now, with only three cats left, how could you hope to succeed?"
Indeed, the Maitreya Sect had once strutted about, aiming at rebellion. But their wings were not yet full, their deeds too high-profile, and monks reported them to the authorities. Their schemes exposed, their followers scattered, they were already reduced to shadows of their former arrogance. Heaven spares no one—just look up, and you will know.
Under Heaven, all are born equal. The injustices of the world arise only because demons in human form sow chaos. At this thought, "Maitreya True Lord" shouted:"Demon-Quelling Dharma King Gao Jie! Fiend-Suppressing Dharma King Mo Xiang! Quickly come to my side! Slay this devil and you shall become Buddhas on the spot!"
The two Dharma Kings looked at one another, eyes full of dread, uncertain what to do. At last, Gao Jie cried:"True Lord's powers are unmatched—why not take the field yourself?"
Zhao Rou sneered:"Yes indeed—if 'Maitreya True Lord's' divine skills are truly unrivaled, then surely you must show them now!"
The so-called True Lord could only seethe inwardly. His mind raced before he shouted:"Take the Maitreya Pills! With them, neither ghost nor god can stand against you!"
The two Dharma Kings were stunned. They knew too well that swallowing the Maitreya Pills robbed one of soul and mind. How could they, as Dharma Kings, destroy themselves so? Gao Jie snorted angrily:"If that is so, then since 'True Lord' is almighty, why don't you take the pills yourself?"
Zhao Rou cut in, mocking:"Exactly! If you eat them, no ghost nor god could touch you!"
Wu Tong, already impatient, suddenly let out a thunderous roar:"A real man dies but once—head forward or head back, it's still the same blade! Stop shrinking like turtles! The three of you, come at me together!"
Veteran constable Li Lu, an old hand of the Jianghu, knew the moment when the wind shifts and sails must be raised. He called out:"Don't hesitate, the chance will vanish in a blink! Once the Wolong Blade is drawn, no demon can withstand it!"
The three men, cornered, exchanged desperate looks. Survival demanded a gamble. At once they drew out the pills, swallowed them, and their eyes gleamed with fevered light. Wu Tong sneered:"Good! Your brethren have already set out for the Yellow Springs—hurry along and join them on the road to Hell!"
The three seized their sabers and leapt forth, surrounding Wu Tong. He held his blade crosswise before his chest, sheath gripped in his left hand. Gao Jie struck first with a downward slash, Mo Xiang followed, and meanwhile "Maitreya True Lord" sought to leap away. But Zhao Rou's robes flashed; her sword darted like lightning, intercepting him. Blades and sword clashed, then parted. Two screams split the air—Wu Tong's Wolong Saber had already cut down Gao Jie and Mo Xiang in a storm of steel, sending them hurtling into the Yellow Springs.
Only Zhao Rou and "Maitreya True Lord" now faced each other. She said with cold disdain:"You vowed to share life and death with your Dharma Kings, yet at the crucial moment you fled. How can you bear such shame?"
The "True Lord" showed no blush of guilt."Child, you do not know destiny. I am the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha—how could I fall so easily?"
Wu Tong laughed and came to Zhao Rou's side."Sister Rou, such a coward, clinging to life and fleeing at battle's height—how could he ever be a Buddha reborn?"
The "True Lord" snarled:"Ignorant whelp! Heaven's wheel of karma never fails. Slay the living today, and tomorrow you will surely descend into the Eighteen Hells!"
Wu Tong laughed all the harder."How amusing! I hear you preach that to kill one man is to become a Bodhisattva of one stage, to kill ten men a Bodhisattva of ten stages. Yet when I kill, I am damned to Hell?"
The "True Lord" brazened it out:"Because I am Maitreya! Whom I choose shall enter Paradise; whom I condemn shall fall into Hell!"
Wu Tong sighed lightly."Enough talk. Let my Wolong Blade send you west to meet your so-called Buddha."
The "True Lord" brandished his saber with fury."Kill or strike as you will—I do not fear you!"
Wu Tong strode forward:"Once the Wolong Blade is drawn, may your road west be smooth!"
The "True Lord" saw the flash of steel coming fast, his heart quailed. He scrambled to block, the clash ringing sharp as he staggered back."Wait!" he cried. "That was a sneak attack, striking me unprepared! That proves nothing of true skill!"
Wu Tong sneered:"Then swallow more of your sacred pills, and let's test again."
"Maitreya True Lord" bellowed:"Maitreya Pills—fear neither ghost nor god!" He swallowed a handful at once, his eyes blazing. With a shout, he slashed.
Wu Tong met him head-on, turning with his blade, then suddenly spun back, a rainbow arc of steel slicing for the neck. The "True Lord," shocked, raised his saber—but it shuddered wildly in his grip. Wu Tong pressed the attack, high then low, fast as a storm. Within a dozen exchanges, the "True Lord" was retreating in panic, breath ragged, shouting desperately:"Maitreya reborn! Fear neither ghost nor god!"
Wu Tong snorted coldly:"Then let me send this false Buddha to the Western Heaven!"
With a crashing stroke, he wrenched the saber from his foe's hand. Constable Li Lu saw from afar the terror frozen on the "True Lord's" face—then Wu Tong's blade descended like thunder.
The head flew, blood fountained high, the body toppled, limbs twitching in the dust. The sight was dreadful indeed.