As Wu Tong and his three companions rode up, they suddenly saw two forces confronting one another in the village. Peering closely, they recognized the leaders of the bandits—none other than Flying Tiger Du Sheng and Burrowing Tiger Du Chang.
Flying Tiger Du Sheng shouted to the Feng brothers:"Feng Yun, Feng Shan—enough idle talk! Let's settle this in combat!"
Feng Yun retorted:"Why not? But is it both of you against the two of us?"
Du Sheng sneered, laughing arrogantly:"I alone am more than enough!"
Feng Yun's face hardened. "Remember—you said that yourself! Don't try to go back on it later."
Feng Shan growled:"Brother, if we don't cut down these villains today, how can we protect our home?"
Burrowing Tiger Du Chang burst into mocking laughter:"My elder brother sweeps all rivals for a hundred li around. You two green boys dare to raise blades? Prepare to meet the King of Hell!"
"Arrogant scum!" Feng Yun roared. The brothers charged together, blades flashing. Caught unprepared, Du Chang leapt aside too late—steel rasped, cutting across his chest. In the next instant Feng Shan's blade gashed his arm to the bone, blood gushing out.
Du Sheng rushed in with his saber to save his brother, roaring:"Why strike him and not me?"
Feng Yun spat back:"Against bandits, what need of honor?"
The brothers pressed their attack fiercely upon Du Chang, nearly cutting him down. Only Du Sheng's intervention saved his life.
Remembering their mother's teaching—to act with courage and with strategy—the Feng brothers fought in tight coordination. Two blades working as one, they pressed Du Sheng on left and right, their strokes like hammer and anvil. After a dozen exchanges Du Sheng faltered, his strength failing. Gasping, he cried out:"Brother, to me!"
Though wounded, Du Chang bound up his arm and leapt back into the fight. With a wild shout he struck at Feng Shan, and soon four blades were clashing, sparks flying, the fight locked in stalemate. They battled for a hundred exchanges, neither side prevailing. At last Du Sheng thought bitterly:"At this rate, how will we ever end it? Better to use numbers and cut them down in one rush!"
He suddenly vaulted back and roared:"Brothers of the stronghold—take up your arms! We'll storm them all at once!"
"Bandits will always be bandits," Feng Yun spat."Brothers, defend our homes! Fight them!" Feng Shan bellowed.
Just then, Wu Tong and his three companions spurred forward. Wu Tong's voice rang out:"You call this skill? All you know is looting and burning!"
Du Sheng turned, rage twisting his face."It's you—the thief who stole our cattle and swine! Brothers, cut him down!"
For indeed, during their clash with General Linghu Yong days before, the bandits had fought the Yan troops until dusk without victory. When they withdrew, they discovered their plunder gone, and their fury still burned.
The bandits surged forward like a flood. Wu Tong had not even drawn his treasured Crouching Dragon Blade. With a thunderous shout, he urged his horse forward. One saber stroke flashed like lightning—where it passed, bandits fell, crying out in terror.
"Who dares to die next?" Wu Tong roared, his voice carrying like thunder.
The outlaws quailed before his unstoppable might. Even with his blade unsheathed, he was like a god of war. Du Sheng, shaken, realized he had met the greatest foe of his life.
Du Chang, pale, demanded:"Who are you, boy? Name yourself!"
Liu Yun answered coldly:"Now you know fear? He is Wu Tong of Guangzhou, Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness!"
The bandit chiefs exchanged a stricken glance. They recalled the legend long sung through the rivers and lakes:
"When the Crouching Dragon Blade is drawn, no demon can prevail!"
Zhao Rou mocked:"One flies in the sky, one burrows in the earth—why not show us those marvelous skills you boast of?"
But instead of fighting, Du Sheng suddenly seized Du Chang and dropped to his knees, weeping bitterly:"Spare us, young master! We were blind fools, not knowing your greatness. We have aged mothers and babes to feed. Please, spare our lives!"
Li Qian scoffed:"Aged mothers? That's strange—weren't you the same villains who wanted us as your 'captive wives'? Your words shift like smoke—who would believe you?"
Du Chang sobbed:"Miss, forgive us! Command us as you will—only grant us our lives!"
Liu Yun said sternly:"You swear this of your own accord—you must not go back on it."
The bandit chiefs kowtowed desperately:"Never! We will not repent!"
Liu Yun pointed:"Then first beg pardon of the Feng brothers."
They turned, knocking their foreheads against the earth."Great sirs, forgive us—spare our dog lives!"
But Feng Yun and Feng Shan's eyes blazed with hatred."After all the families you've ruined, you think it so easy? Go to hell!" they roared, and their blades came crashing down.
At the last instant the Tiger Brothers leapt aside, fury rekindled."Even after our surrender you would kill us? Then we will fight to the death!"
Feng Shan spat back:"You've spread misery for years—if you are not slain today, Heaven itself will not tolerate it!"
"Green Jade Table" (Qing Yu An)
Tonight we meet—heroes never drunk,Swords in hand, we roam the earth.With gallant hearts that pierce the sky, dragons cry;Chasing the sun, the wind our only friend,Four steeds race with the storm.
Across ten thousand peaks and rivers high,Our tempered blades need no excuse.This life belongs to sword and strife.Flashing steel through the void—True men, bold and free,Ask only if their will can pierce the clouds.