The night in the ancient temple passed without incident. At dawn the company broke camp and continued their journey toward Yongqiu. By noon they reached a small town, only to find every door barred, the streets deserted. After much effort Zhao Rou coaxed a townsman to speak; he whispered that recently bandits had been descending from the hills to plunder, and that today, too, they might strike—thus every household kept locked within.
Just then the thunder of hooves resounded. A great troop of mounted brigands swept into town. A matron rushed out, weeping bitterly:"You heartless fiends! Not only have you taken our coin and grain—you even drive off my pigs! How are we to live?"
Several underlings jeered as they herded pigs from the sty. At their head rode two men: one tall and wiry, known as Flying Tiger Du Sheng; the other short and stocky, called Burrowing Tiger Du Chang.
Flying Tiger Du Sheng sneered at the old woman:"We take money, grain, and women. Old dame, have you a daughter? We'll take her too!"
Such cruelty—truly wolves loosed among lambs, adding frost to snow for the poor folk. At that moment their eyes fell upon three fair young women—Zhao Rou, Liu Yun, and Li Qian. Du Sheng's gaze gleamed with lust."Now here are beauties indeed!"
Burrowing Tiger Du Chang beheld their radiant faces and graceful bearing—far surpassing any village wench. Desire burned hot; both men forgot the protectors at their side. They dreamed already of carrying the three off as wives of the stronghold, fortune smiling upon them.
Du Sheng leered:"I am Flying Tiger Du Sheng, master of this region for a hundred li around, chief of Tiger Fortress. At present I lack only wives of the fortress. Three maidens—come with me!"
Du Chang added with a smirk:"I am Burrowing Tiger Du Chang, second chief of Tiger Fortress. Three maidens, please accept my invitation."
Their eyes raked greedily over the girls, arrogance unbridled, desire burning.
Liu Yun's anger flared:"Petty bandits dare such tyranny? It seems we must act."
Du Sheng replied smoothly:"Three beauties, our stronghold prospers. What we lack are brides. Why not follow us and become our fortress ladies?"
Li Qian laughed lightly, dimples flashing:"That will not do—my husband would never allow it."
Du Chang growled:"This is not his choice. If he resists, not only will he lose his wives—he'll lose his life as well!"
Wu Tong at last stepped forward, voice ringing:"So you are famed as Flying Tiger and Burrowing Tiger—one flying to the heavens, the other burrowing into the earth? Then allow me to test your claws!"
The pair, long accustomed to terrorizing the land unopposed, puffed themselves proudly. All feared their names—the "Two Tigers of the Hills."
Du Sheng narrowed his eyes."Leave the girls, and you may go. Refuse, and die where you stand."
Wu Tong laughed aloud:"Blind bandits! You terrorize the people, plundering without shame. Today your evil ends—you face death itself."
Du Chang bellowed in fury:"Then be it so! Brothers—take up arms! Send him to Hell!"
Before weapons could be raised, another sound shook the ground—the pounding of disciplined hooves. Dust billowed, banners whipped in the wind. Upon them was emblazoned a single bold character: 燕 (Yan).
A troop of Yan soldiers swept in, iron discipline clear, spears and sabers gleaming. At their head rode a commander in bright armor, spear in hand, eyes fierce with killing intent. His shout boomed like thunder:"I am Linghu Yong, General of Yan, sent by command to levy provisions. Your cattle, sheep, and swine are now property of the Yan army. Resist, and you shall be slain without mercy!"
Flying Tiger Du Sheng glared back."General of Yan? I am master here! I, Du Sheng, rule these hundred li. Even An Lushan himself cannot command me—what then is your 'Yan Army'?"
So wolves met tigers: one tyranny against another. Beggar Chief Fei exchanged a glance with his companions. At once they withdrew to the roadside, content to watch wolves and tigers clash.
General Linghu Yong's fury ignited:"Then we have no choice but battle!"
He leveled his spear and roared:"I am Linghu Yong, General of Yan, come to collect grain and livestock! All belongs to Yan! Disobey, and die!"
His voice cracked the air like a thunderclap. The townsfolk quailed, trembling in fear of the storm about to break.
But Du Sheng only laughed coldly, wrapped in furs, single saber at his waist."Yan? An Lushan crowned himself emperor, a traitor to Tang. He is a rebel—I am a bandit. Thief to thief—what cause have I to fear?"
His mocking words drove Linghu Yong to rage."You dare insult the Emperor's majesty? Guards! Left Captain Li Dian, Right Captain Li Jin—slay this outlaw!"
Two captains spurred forth in black-gold armor, sabers flashing, murderous aura surging.
Du Sheng only sneered."Battlefield or back-alley—death is still death. Come!"
With a sudden leap he swung his saber, light cold as lightning. The blade struck Li Dian's armor with sparks flying, near splitting it in two. Li Dian reeled back in shock, retreating. Li Jin roared and swept in with his saber.
Steel clashed, blades flashing in fury. Du Sheng leapt high, planted both feet upon Li Jin's shoulders, flipping in midair as his saber hacked down at Li Dian. Metal screeched; the armor split, blood seeping. Li Dian staggered, pale with fear. Li Jin swept again, but Du Sheng whirled, saber striking like storm winds—clang! clang! Both captains cried out, reeling back with blood upon their armor.
Linghu Yong's face darkened, eyes bulging with rage."Whole army—attack! Kill them all!"
Du Sheng bellowed in answer, pointing with his saber:"Brothers—kill!"
At his cry, Tiger Fortress roared to life. Countless bandits surged forth with weapons, shouting to the skies. Among them leapt a hulking brute with rippling muscles, wielding a spiked mace—it was Burrowing Tiger Du Chang. With a wild roar he charged:"Kill!"
The two sides collided like crashing waves, steel clashing, war cries shaking heaven and earth. Thus began a battle of blood and chaos, bandits against soldiers, tiger against wolf.