Then came the booming voice of Beggar Sect Chief Fei Jin:"Dharma King Zhao, this old beggar is late—pray do not take offense!"
His voice thundered across the valley, brimming with unshakable spirit. Phoenix Gang Chief Qiu Feng stepped forward as well, cupping his hands:"I, Qiu Feng of the Phoenix Gang, stand ready to fight shoulder to shoulder with you all!"
His words were calm, his eyes firm, commanding the respect of everyone present.
Xu Li of the Xuzhou Gang also strode forth, calling loudly:"I, Xu Li, have come on behalf of the Xuzhou Gang! How could brothers of the jianghu ever sit idle while such peril threatens?"
At these words, the disciples of the Fire-Worship Sect were roused to new heights, their morale surging. Dharma King Zhao Ke's heart swelled with emotion; bowing deeply, he said with heartfelt sincerity:"Help in times of crisis is like water to fire. That so many of you have hurried here in waves—I am deeply, deeply grateful!"
Chief Fei Jin threw back his head and laughed heartily."Virtue is never solitary—it always has neighbors! Dharma King Zhao's upright character has long bound the heroes of the jianghu. Now, with enemies at the gate, it is only right that your brothers stand forth in defense!"
Zhao Ke's eyes glistened. Xu Li even stepped up, declaring firmly:"Dharma King, allow me to fight in your place today!"
But Zhao Ke shook his head slowly, his tone resolute:"I thank you for your kindness, brothers. But this matter is Heaven's decree. Today, with Tibet's might pressing upon us, the fate of Fire-Worship rests on this battle. As its Dharma King, how can I shrink back? If men do not offend me, I do not offend them. But today, with enemies before us, I must step forth and fight to the death!"
His gaze burned like steel, his voice rang out:"If I should fall, I entrust Fire-Worship to you heroes of the jianghu. Save my sect from peril, should fate claim me!"
At these words, disciples of Fire-Worship were deeply moved. To see their leader willing to sacrifice his life, carrying their burdens without complaint, filled them with tears, with clenched fists of resolve. They understood at last how much he had endured—his righteousness and courage truly worthy of his station as Dharma King.
The gathered heroes, too, felt awe stir in their hearts. His spirit was lofty, his resolve firm as iron, his willingness to meet death without fear shining like the sun and moon.
For the first time that night, Zhao Ke's sorrow at the overwhelming threat was lifted, his spirit rekindled by the arrival of allies. His brows arched, his eyes flashed lightning as he strode forward, voice like a war-drum:"Zongzan! It is I who will test your skill!"
The wind rose. Battle-spirit blazed. A world-shaking duel was about to begin.
Zongzan growled:"Then come!"
He charged forth, unleashing three furious strikes in quick succession. Zhao Ke parried deftly, his palms whirling to meet every attack, countering now and then with strikes of his own. Seeing this, the crowd relaxed slightly—clearly their Dharma King was no weakling, but a true martial master.
Zongzan had believed Zhao Ke a coward hiding behind Central Plains heroes. But now, after dozens of exchanges, he realized with shock:"So Fire-Worship too hides such strength! This man is no mere scholar."
And Zhao Ke thought:"Tibet has warriors in abundance. This Zongzan may not even be the strongest among them. If I only defend, I bring shame upon Central Plains martial arts!"
With that, he drew a deep breath, dodged right, and surged forward. His fists burst out like a storm—four heavy blows in succession! Zongzan staggered back several steps before regaining balance. With a roar, he gathered qi again, leaping skyward to strike.
Their contest raged, strikes rapid, until suddenly the Fire-Worship disciples as one raised their hands in the shape of leaping flames, chanting in unison:
"Blazing Holy Fire, Lord of Light,Drive away darkness, welcome the dawn.Do good, cast out evil, for the Light alone,O Eternal Flame, pity mankind!O Eternal Flame, pity mankind!"
The chant filled the air, echoing through the valley. Hearing it, Zhao Ke's spirit surged like a tide. Dodging five more of Zongzan's attacks, he thought:"If my life ends here, so be it. But I will not let Fire-Worship's honor perish in my hands!"
He spun, drew in a great breath, and unleashed his sect's greatest secret art—the Flame Palms. A sudden gale roared, his palms blazed with force.
"Fan the fire with the wind!"
The attack surged like a storm. Zhao Ke stepped in without hesitation, driving his strikes forward. Then came the second move:
"Thunder of the Inferno!"
His palms crashed down like thunderbolts. The Tibetans gasped in shock. None could aid Zongzan in time. Struck squarely, he reeled back, blood spurting from his lips, his limbs collapsing beneath him as he fell heavily to the ground.
But Zhao Ke did not pursue. Instead, he spread his fingers wide, raised his hands in the gesture of flames, and once again chanted to the heavens:
"Blazing Holy Fire, Lord of Light,Drive away darkness, welcome the dawn.Do good, cast out evil, for the Light alone,O Eternal Flame, pity mankind!O Eternal Flame, pity mankind!"
His disciples echoed the chant, voices rolling like thunder through the mountains. Upon the altar, the eternal flame blazed higher, fiercer than ever. The sight struck dread even into the hearts of the Lamas—the Fire-Worship Sect had hidden depths indeed.
Zhao Ke stood tall before the holy flame, his figure aglow, awe-inspiring and majestic.
Hall of Holy Fire shines with light,Flames soar skyward to the gods.Sacred chants ring in the ears,Palms unleash awe upon the world.
The Tibetans, though many, faltered with unease. At last Geleba spoke gravely:"Never did I think Fire-Worship harbored such masters. Today's battle shall be fierce indeed."
Then Li Qian stepped forward, her voice ringing clear:"The martial world of the Central Plains is filled with heroes. Just now, even a so-called weak girl revealed her mastery. Best you depart while you still can! Though you came as guests, our land has a saying—'Courtesy is returned in kind.' Yet you arrive uninvited—that is discourtesy. Forgive my frankness: this is not your place to tread!"