Li Qian's beauty was peerless—her brows like painted strokes, her bearing cool yet lively, her speech flowing like an endless river, eloquent and incisive, radiating the grace of a noble lady. A trace of wit glimmered in her eyes; in laughter and in jest, she could easily win hearts.
Just then, from the Tibetan camp, a figure suddenly emerged. Clad in lavish foreign robes, crowned in gold, he fixed his lecherous eyes upon Li Qian, his gaze brazen and greedy. Wetting his lips, he spoke with a frivolous tone:"I am Prince Danba of Tuyuhun. Maiden, your beauty is like that of a celestial goddess. I am deeply enamored. Why not return with me to Tuyuhun, and share wealth and glory together?"
Having laid eyes upon Li Qian's snow-white complexion and enchanting features, the prince was already bewitched, his heart ablaze with lust. To him, her charm was beyond compare, and desire overtook reason. Imagining himself suave and gallant, he awaited her consent, unaware that the atmosphere around him had already shifted.
Wu Tong frowned, thinking grimly: This man is clearly a lecherous fiend. If allowed his way, countless innocent women would suffer. He must not be tolerated.Yet before he could act, Li Qian's eyes flickered with cunning, and with a charming smile she said sweetly:"Oh? That does not sound so bad. A journey to the Western Regions might indeed be delightful. Brother Tong, don't you think so?"Her tone was light, her smile radiant, though mischief hid within her words.
Wu Tong had not yet replied when Prince Danba, already impatient, waved dismissively and laughed:"Ha! Since you are willing to return with me, why bring this fellow along? These two other maidens may come if they wish, but this brat? What use is he?"His voice was laced with disdain, his gaze openly roving over Li Qian's form, utterly without respect—clearly a man accustomed to abducting women by force.
Wu Tong's anger erupted, his eyes sharp as blades as he roared:"Shameless cur! Do you know this lady is my rightful wife, wedded in open ceremony? If you value your life, come forth and taste my skill!"Even as he spoke, his qi surged, battle intent radiating from him like heat.
Li Qian, seeing her husband's righteous fury, could not help but laugh softly, tugging at his sleeve with a teasing sparkle in her eyes:"Brother Tong, why so hasty? A scoundrel such as this is more amusing for me to handle personally!"Her smile blossomed like a rose—lovely, yet edged with thorns.
Prince Danba, already intoxicated by her allure, burst into raucous laughter:"Haha! What a bewitching flower you are! Lama Geleba, this beauty is mine—I shall seize her before you all!"His confidence brimmed; he did not imagine defeat was possible.
Li Qian sneered:"Enough boasting. If you have any skill, show it."Aroused by lust, Danba leered:"Patience, my beauty—I'll show you at once!"Disgusted, Li Qian stamped forward, her palms surging with fierce force. The strike swept toward him like a storm. Startled by its might, Danba dared not meet it head-on, leaping aside. Even so, the wind of her palm struck him, forcing him back several steps. Shock flashed in his eyes: Since coming to the Central Plains, I have never met such skill!
Snarling, he lunged, clawing at her chest. Li Qian spat in contempt, parrying sharply, countering with relentless blows aimed at his vital points. In moments, the two had exchanged over forty moves. Danba gasped between blows:"Enough, beauty! Cease this struggle and come be my princess. Your husband is but a common man."
Fury kindled in Li Qian's heart:"My husband Wu Tong is a true hero! How could he ever be compared to a debauched knave like you?"
Stung by her words, Danba's face darkened. With a sudden shout he launched a powerful palm. They clashed, both driven back by the impact.
Panting, Danba called out:"You fight well, beauty, yet you are not my match. I would not harm such a delicate flower. Since you speak so highly of Wu Tong, let him face me!"
Wu Tong, already seething, leapt forward and declared:"Wu Tong is here! Vile seducer, you dare outrage women and trample honor? Today you and I must settle this by combat!"
Danba sneered:"Follow me to the Western Regions and you'll live in splendor. Better that than wandering the world with him in hardship."
Wu Tong's eyes blazed:"I live upright and stand tall, judged by the world's eyes. Unlike you—plundering beauty, stealing wives and daughters. Your evil is beyond pardon!"
Shame flared into rage. Danba roared:"Enough words! The code of rivers and lakes is clear—victory or defeat is shown under the palm!"With that, he struck fiercely, his attack swift and violent. Spectators felt the force of it and shuddered—this was no small battle.
The duel raged. Palms collided like thunderclaps, winds howling from their strikes. Wu Tong's movements were fluid, effortless, almost playful as he evaded and pressed the attack. Then, with a casual palm, he sent Danba staggering back four steps, nearly falling. Desperate, the prince leapt back further to steady himself, face pale and shaken.
Wu Tong's voice cut like ice:"Be wise! Withdraw now and keep your life."
But Danba's lust clouded his mind. Glancing again at Li Qian's heavenly beauty, he could not retreat. Pride and desire bound him; to yield before all these heroes would ruin his name. He snarled:"You dare insult me? Then I shall never spare you!"
Wu Tong sneered:"Petty princeling of a minor land, how could you fathom the vast depths of Central Plains martial arts?"
Infuriated, Danba charged with a roar, palm striking forward like a gale. Wu Tong sidestepped, unleashing Cloud Hand Eight Styles—Shifting the Stars and Changing the Constellations. Danba's strikes met only air. In that instant, Wu Tong's body flashed like lightning, his palm unleashing Waves Surging like the Sea.
They clashed again, ten furious exchanges. Then Wu Tong suddenly executed Phantom Palm Six Forms—the True within the False. The strike was unpredictable, unavoidable. Danba, helpless to counter, crossed his palms in desperation.
The impact boomed. Danba's body arched back, flung ten yards across the snow, blood spraying from his lips to stain the whiteness crimson.