Bai Mu, hearing these words, turned pale with fury. Rage boiled within him as he roared:
"You two dare be so ungrateful? How can you face the grace and trust of Palace Master Tuoba, who lifted you up?"
His eyes were sharp as blades, boring into Yuan Guang and Yuan Tong with venomous hatred.
The two monks lowered their heads in silence, their expressions tangled with conflict. Just then, Patriarch Aluos sighed softly and spoke with deep earnestness:
"Yuan Guang, Yuan Tong—when you left Shaolin, the past was already cut away. Do not repeat your mistakes! Once was too much—will you err again? Lord Wu has placed himself in your shoes and found you a place of pure cultivation. Such a chance is rare beyond measure—will you cast it aside?"
At these words, Yuan Guang closed his eyes. When he opened them again, resolve burned within. He stepped forward solemnly, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply to Bai Mu:
"Brother Bai, I beg you—tell Palace Master Tuoba we are sorry. His favor to us is as a mountain. Though we cannot repay it in this life, we will carry it in our hearts and repay it in the next!"
Bai Mu trembled with anger, his face dark as water. He clenched his fists, teeth grinding.
"Ha! Repay it in the next life? So you cast aside the hand of the True God Palace as though it were refuse? Then blame us not for being merciless! None betray the True God Palace and meet a good end. Today we shall kill you both to quench this hatred!"
As his voice fell, cold light flashed. The other three Envoys of the True God Palace—Li Qi, Wang Ben, and Zhao Li—stepped forth with drawn swords, surrounding the monks in a killing formation. The air grew heavy with murderous frost.
Just then—
"Hold!"
A clear, thunderous shout split the air, shaking the ground.
Wu Tong strode into the center, standing tall, eyes blazing with righteous fire. His voice rang like steel:
"The blame lies with me. If you must vent your fury, then come at me—spare the two masters!"
Bai Mu's eyes narrowed, his tone mocking:
"Wu Tong, this is Shaolin's affair. Why meddle? Unless… do you bear some secret grudge against these monks, that you shield them so?"
Wu Tong answered calmly, with an unshakable smile:
"You are wrong. To save others in peril is the way of chivalry. Since these monks have shown remorse, why hound them further? As lord of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, it is my duty to uphold justice. How could I stand idly by?"
Bai Mu's eyes flickered with malice, and he sneered:
"So—you mean to make yourself an enemy of the True God Palace?"
At this, the burly Li Qi—built like an iron tower, eyes fierce, voice booming—stepped forward:
"Do not think that your skill alone will make us yield. Today the Palace must have blood for betrayal. These two must die!"
Wu Tong's brows drew together, his gaze sharpened. The atmosphere thickened—murderous will pressed down. All held their breath, knowing battle was about to erupt.
Wu Tong's voice cut through the silence:
"Rou-mei! Bring me the Wolong Saber. If they will not yield, then today I shall sacrifice the Four Envoys in blood!"
Zhao Rou answered swiftly:
"Catch the blade!"
She tossed it, and Wu Tong seized it mid-air. The saber gleamed coldly in his grip as he declared:
"Enough talk. Come at me!"
The Envoys quailed inwardly, yet could not retreat for the honor of their Palace. Bai Mu barked:
"Fear not! Even Wu Tong cannot stand against our Four Envoys, the Three Talents, and the Three Luminaries. Together we will crush him!"
Wu Tong strode forward, the Wolong Saber flashing, his voice cold as winter steel:
"Heaven cherishes life, yet I have spoken—persist and I will cut you down. Think carefully."
Li Qi roared:
"Three Talents, Three Luminaries—advance!"
Thus ten masters of the True God Palace encircled Wu Tong. But in truth, within such a ring, few could strike at once—two at most.
Wu Tong's hand rested long upon his hilt. None dared move. Suddenly he shouted:
"Make your move!"
Li Qi drew his sword and lunged, the other Envoys following close.
With a shout, Wu Tong unsheathed the Wolong Saber. Lightning flashed, shadow blurred—eight strokes in an instant! Screams rang out. Then, as suddenly as it began, Wu Tong sheathed his blade and returned to his place.
The Three Talents and Three Luminaries froze, swords trembling. The Four Envoys lay wounded and writhing, groaning in pain.
Thus it was said:
They cried the monks were faithless,Drew swords and leapt in pride.But one man struck like lightning,Sheathing steel, he turned aside.
Wu Tong turned, sweeping his gaze across the remaining foes, and declared:
"Today I spare your lives. Tell Palace Master Tuoba that this debt rests upon my head alone. Trouble the monks no further—if vengeance is sought, seek it from me."
Liu Yun added coldly:
"If the True God Palace presses further, next time the Four Envoys will die in blood. Think carefully—do not stand against the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness."
The Three Talents and Three Luminaries hurried to lift the wounded Envoys. Shamed and beaten, the True God Palace retinue withdrew in disgrace.
When they were gone, Yuan Guang and Yuan Tong stepped forward, palms together, voices low with gratitude:
"Thank you, Lord Wu, for saving us today."
Wu Tong shook his head:
"You should thank the Abbot of Shaolin. What I did was at his command."
The two monks, stricken with guilt, intoned:
"Amitabha."
They bowed toward Shaolin with deep remorse.
Then they turned to Patriarch Jiade and Patriarch Aluos, bowing respectfully:
"We beg pardon for our past deeds against you and the monks of the Church."
Jiade replied:
"To return from delusion to the path—your years of cultivation are not in vain."
Aluos said warmly:
"To turn spears into jade and silk, to exchange strife for peace—this is a rare blessing. Today you have found a karmic chance toward enlightenment."
The monks once again chanted:
"Amitabha."
That night, beneath the Five Peaks of Mount Song, Patriarch Jiade held a feast at Da Qin Temple to honor Wu Tong and his companions.
The next morning, Yuan Guang and Yuan Tong departed with Zhao Rou and Liu Yun, bound for Great Mercy Temple in Wendeng County, Hebei, with Patriarch Aluos accompanying on his rounds. Wu Tong, meanwhile, set out with Li Qian toward Plum Blossom Village outside Chang'an.
As they parted, Zhao Rou called with a smile:
"Brother Tong, with Yun-mei and I gone, you must take good care of Sister Qian. Do not you dare make her angry!"
Wu Tong laughed:
"I barely have time to love her—how could I make her angry?"
Liu Yun, feigning jealousy, pouted:
"Then I shan't go. I'll stay and keep Brother Tong company!"
Li Qian, blushing, retorted:
"Then I shall go with Sister Rou instead!"
Liu Yun giggled mischievously:
"And who was that young lady who traveled a thousand li seeking her husband, weeping all the way?"
Li Qian's cheeks flamed scarlet, her shyness overwhelming. She cried out, laughing and scolding:
"Brother Tong, see how Yun-mei teases me!"
Zhao Rou quickly straightened her face and chided gently:
"Yun-mei, enough mischief! We must be on our way—Patriarch Aluos is waiting."
And so the four exchanged farewells, each setting forth upon their own road.