He Tianbiao unleashed his killer move, "Soul-Seizing Strike," its ferocity beyond question. Yet the Chief Escort of the Capital Escort Bureau, Chen Hao, countered with his own profound art, the "Empty Clarity Palm." This palm art contained twelve forms and thirty-six variations, the twelve forms being: "Tranquil Heart and Mind, Void of Emptiness, Pure Stillness, Emptiness Yet Not Empty, Seeming Empty Yet Not, True Emptiness in Essence, Retreat Without Retreat, Without Beginning or End, Neither Born nor Perished, All Dharmas are Empty, Emptiness Is Not Empty, Returning to Simplicity."
The formula of the Empty Clarity Palm was thus:
"The Empty Clarity Palm is born of the void. Qi rises from the dantian, empty yet not empty, not empty yet empty. Qi flows without end, coursing through the body without interruption. Neither empty nor existent, neither existent nor empty. Without emptiness there is no clarity; without clarity there is no emptiness. From emptiness arises clarity, from clarity arises emptiness. Thus is attained the pure and luminous state of Empty Clarity."
Its method of cultivation resembled Buddhist gathas: a transmission of mind, a realization of one's true nature. Only through decades of practice, free from preconceptions, could one grasp its essence in a moment of enlightenment.
The two men clashed palms, thunder echoing through mountains and rivers. He Tianbiao's eyes blazed, his palm force surged, and he struck again. Chen Hao, seeing the chance, suddenly executed "Emptiness Yet Not Empty," a move meant to lure the foe. He Tianbiao, thinking his opponent's guard wide open, rejoiced and drove forward with "Crossing the Threshold," aiming straight at Chen Hao's center. But at that instant, Chen Hao let out a sharp cry and shifted into "Not Empty Yet Empty." His palm turned over like lightning, power pouring forth in torrents, east and west, left and right, dazzling and unpredictable. With a resounding boom, He Tianbiao screamed, hurled backward, blood spraying from his mouth before he collapsed unconscious. That strike carried the weight of a thousand catties—He Tianbiao, master of the Soul-Seizing Sect, was beyond saving.
Chen Hao bellowed:"Men of the Soul-Seizing Sect! Leave this place at once if you value your lives. Stay, and you face dire consequences!"
From the enemy's ranks leapt Qin Bao, shouting:"Brothers of the Soul-Seizing Sect, avenge our master—kill him!"
The sect swarmed forward, blades flashing, encircling Chen Hao. Suddenly a figure leapt into the arena, his voice calm yet firm:"To bully the few with the many—is this the code of the Jianghu? Allow me to test your steel!"
The Soul-Seizing men roared:"Who goes there?"
Qin Bao snarled:"Our sect avenges its master today. Meddle not in our affairs!"
The newcomer was none other than Wu Tong. He smiled faintly and said:"The affairs of the Jianghu are settled by Jianghu folk. To kill a chicken, must one draw the ox-cleaver?"
His words stung like a slap. The Soul-Seizing men fumed at the insult. Several lunged at him, blades aimed at his head. But Wu Tong merely flicked aside, his palm striking one man who flew several zhang away. Another charged; Wu Tong's left palm shot out with a thunderous crack, sending him sprawling. A third rushed forth—Wu Tong raised a leg, and the man toppled back like a sack. In moments three men lay bleeding and groaning on the sand. The rest faltered, chilled by fear.
Qin Bao's eyes narrowed, venomous as a serpent's. He barked:"Who are you? Name yourself!"
Though his voice was fierce, his heart quaked—his sect master was fallen, their ranks in disarray.
Wu Tong replied with calm composure:"I am Wu Tong, Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness."
At this name, the Soul-Seizing men exchanged uneasy glances. Wu Tong's fame already shook the martial world. Qin Bao forced a sneer:"So it is the famed Wu Tong! This debt of blood will be repaid another day. Withdraw!"
At once the Soul-Seizing Sect retreated, bearing away their dying master.
Soon refugees gathered, kneeling before Chen Hao:"Without your valor, we would surely have perished. We can never repay this life-saving grace!"
Chen Hao hastily motioned them to rise:"Good folk, do not kneel. My escort bureau journeys west to Lingwu—let us travel together in safety."
Wu Tong, moved by Chen Hao's righteousness, stepped forward with his wives and bowed:"I am Wu Tong, Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, and these are my household. We pay our respects to the Chief Escort."
Chen Hao beamed, replying:"So it is the young hero of our age! To make your acquaintance is my honor."
Wu Tong, bashful, answered:"No, Chief Escort, you are the true hero of our time. I merely passed by and was fortunate to witness your chivalry. I could not help but admire it and thus sought to make your acquaintance."
The two exchanged courtesies, and so the company set forth westward together.
Li Bai's Poem – "Farewell to Children of Nanling, Entering the Capital"
New-brewed white wine greets me on return from the hills,Yellow hens pecking millet, fattened in autumn's prime.I call the boy to cook the bird, pour the clear wine,While children laugh and tug at my robes in play.I sing aloud, drink deep to ease my heart,Dance against the setting sun, vying with its light.Had I sought the ear of kings in time, my fate were different;Now I mount my steed, whip in hand, to ride the long road.The foolish wife of Kuaiji spurned the noble Mai Chen,And I too now leave my home, westward into Qin.Laughing to the sky, I stride out my gate—We are no common weeds of the wild!
A few days later the party reached Lingwu, where they parted ways.
Historical Note: After the Mawei Incident during the An-Shi Rebellion, Emperor Xuanzong fled to Chengdu, while General Du Hongjian escorted the Crown Prince Li Heng to Lingwu. There, at the southern tower of the county seat, Li Heng ascended the throne as Emperor Suzong of Tang.
Wu Tong and his companions also came to the Southern Tower. Guard posts were strict; Wu Tong presented his official warrant from the Ministry of State Affairs. The guards reported upward, and he was led to a government residence to rest. After an hour, a young eunuch arrived, announcing that Lord Li summoned Wu Tong.
This was the powerful eunuch Li Fuguo, then in his fifties, who dominated the court. For his role in enthroning Suzong, he had been granted the titles of Grand Protector, Minister of Works, and Chief of the Secretariat.
Wu Tong entered the palace. Li Fuguo rose to greet him:"Master Wu, please be seated."
Wu Tong bowed respectfully:"My thanks, Lord Li."
When he was seated, Li Fuguo said:"Your predecessor, Master Han, once said: 'In today's Jianghu there are no heroes save Wu Tong alone.'"
Wu Tong blushed, shaking his head:"Such words are but flattery, not to be believed."
Li Fuguo replied with meaning:"Wu Tong is a hero of this age—valiant, loyal, and steadfast. Master Han praised you sincerely."
Wu Tong bowed:"I thank Master Han for his trust. I shall never fail the mission entrusted to me."