The duel between "Crimson Heart of Loyalty" Han Zhen and Dharma King Kunbu gripped every eye. At first Han Zhen had fought with defense as offense, but now his fists lashed out aggressively. Kunbu shifted and evaded, countering with a flurry of strikes. In moments, the two were trading blow for blow, their fight tightening into near grappling distance. Each met the other's moves with perfect timing, shifting from attack to defense in an instant. Their exchanges grew faster and faster until—
Both suddenly let out a thunderous roar, palms surging forward together. Boom! A mighty shock rang through the field.
Han Zhen smiled faintly, withdrawing with a leap."Dharma King, your palm techniques are truly profound—admirable indeed."
Kunbu likewise pulled back, replying solemnly:"And Han Zhen's martial arts are worthy of their legend—unmatched through the ages."
Neither could force victory, and so the battle ended as a draw, their powers held in balance.
But from the Lama ranks, another man stepped forth, clad in a scarlet vest and a yellow sash. His voice was deep, commanding:"I am Chimalun, First Warrior of Tibet, come to test myself against Hero Han."
Known in the jianghu as "Immovable Vajra", Chimalun had already discerned that Han Zhen's strength was spent eight or nine parts. A few more exchanges might tip the battle. If not now, when?
Yet just as he advanced, the rustling of robes cut through the wind. A figure sped across the snow, landing with force. Brows arched, he called out:"Hero Han, take your rest. Allow me, Wu Tong, to receive the moves of Tibet's 'First Warrior'!"
His words were courteous, but carried an unshakable resolve. Wu Tong, now a central pillar of the martial world, could not lose composure beneath so many eyes.
Chimalun's gaze darkened. With a cold snort, he thundered:"Wu Tong, today you die beneath the fists of the Immovable Vajra!"
Before his words had faded, he soared into the air, unleashing a ferocious palm strike that crashed down like thunder upon Wu Tong's upper body. The gale of force was terrifying, a hallmark of his overpowering Vajra palms.
Wu Tong flowed aside with light steps, arms weaving the Eight Cloud Hands. His body moved like drifting clouds and flowing water, swift and elegant. Chimalun's relentless palms met only air, strike after strike wasted. Furious, he roared:"Boy, your evasions are clever! But if you're a real man, meet me head-on. Only then are you worthy of being called a hero!"
With that, he lunged forward, right hook surging toward Wu Tong's chest with the speed of lightning. Wu Tong's eyes flashed. Instantly he bent his arm downward, intercepting the strike, and shot out a rapid series of alternating fists toward Chimalun's eyes and brow. The transitions were lightning-fast, blending hardness and softness with supreme precision.
Chimalun staggered back, reeling, his balance broken. Forced to dodge left and right, he retreated clumsily, breath unsteady, his dignity stripped.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
At that moment, Zhao Rou's voice rang out in mocking laughter:"Chimalun, your sidestepping is indeed nimble! But surely the title 'Immovable Vajra' no longer suits you. Better to rename yourself 'Dodging Vajra'!"
The crowd roared with laughter. Chimalun burned with rage, but under Wu Tong's pressing assault he had no breath to retort.
Liu Yun clapped her hands with delight."Marvelous! The 'Immovable Vajra' has become the 'Dodging Vajra'. So much for the 'First Warrior of Tibet'!"
Li Qian added slyly:"If you were a true hero, you'd meet him head-on. As it stands, I give you five moves at most before you fall! Why don't we count together?"
Zhao Rou and the others called out:"First move!"
Wu Tong's palms surged with Heaven South, Ocean North, a strike of crushing might, angles uncanny, leaving Chimalun flushed red, struggling desperately to return palm for palm.
"Second move!"
Wu Tong followed with Rivers Embrace the Seas, his hands pulling and pushing with clever force, alternating strikes that broke through every defense. His palms struck faster, until—
"Third move!"
Sky and Sea as One! Wu Tong's palm crashed squarely into Chimalun's chest. Even the vaunted First Warrior of Tibet staggered back seven, eight steps, blood surging to his head until he spat out a mouthful of crimson and collapsed heavily into the snow.
Wu Tong stood tall, voice resonant:"Warriors from Tibet! I must speak plainly. The martial world of the Central Plains is filled with crouching tigers and hidden dragons. Do you think to trample us at will? If you would invade, weigh your strength carefully—lest you court humiliation!"
Before his words had died, another figure leapt forth from the Lama ranks. Draped in a purple-red vest, golden sash at his waist, eyes sharp and aura fierce, he declared:"I am Zongzan of Tibet. Long have I heard of the unfathomable arts of the Central Plains. I have come to test them myself!"
The crowd stiffened, breath caught.
But before Wu Tong could reply, Zhao Rou stepped forward, lips curved in a faint smile, her gaze firm. With a sigh she said:"Just now Wu Lord spared his opponent, and yet you grow ever more insolent. Do you not understand the vastness of our martial world? Do you think it can be so lightly measured?"
Her voice turned cool, mocking:"Since you crave instruction, why trouble the Hall Master? I, Zhao Rou, a mere woman of the Central Plains, shall take the field. If Tibet's warriors dare, let them try their hands against me!"
Her words sent a ripple of shock through both sides. The Tibetans looked to one another, startled.
Zongzan's eyes narrowed."You? Just you?"
Zhao Rou's calm smile did not waver. A subtle flick of her sleeve carried a hidden surge of force."What's this? The so-called warriors of Tibet dare not face even a single woman, after your vaunted First Warrior has already fallen?"
The words stung like barbs. Murmurs rose around the square, the tension climbing higher still. All eyes fixed upon the field, awaiting this sudden, unexpected duel.
Historical note: In the Tang era, Tibet was a formidable power. Its warriors were famed across the surrounding lands. Under King Trisong Detsen, Tibet expanded greatly—eastward to the Long Mountains bordering Tang, even threatening Baoji and Chang'an; northward to the Helan Mountains against the Uighurs; southeast claiming Nanzhao as a vassal; westward, in 790, seizing the Four Garrisons of Anxi and Beiting; and southward, into northern India. Tibetan records say their reach extended even to the northern bank of the Ganges. It was a time when Tibet was the greatest menace to Tang and her neighbors.