The moment Wu Tong's razor-sharp gaze swept over them, all three old men shuddered involuntarily, a chill running down their spines. The so-called elders of the jianghu looked at one another in mute dismay, tongues tied, as if cicadas in the frost. Though unwilling in heart, they knew all too well that the situation was stronger than men. This was the final warning: should they continue to defy, the consequences would be unbearable. Without another word, they turned and hurried off, vanishing in an instant.
Soon after, the camel caravan approached to offer thanks. Its leader was a man named Cao Ming. Wu Tong inquired whether it might be convenient to travel westward together, and Cao Ming gladly welcomed the two to join. With Wu Tong's presence, there was no longer fear of bandit raids, and so the party set out upon their journey.
The caravan bore silk, porcelain, silverware, mirrors, and other fine goods from the Central Plains, bound for the Western Regions; in return, they would bring back treasures such as grape wine. Yet the desert was merciless, and bandits abounded; many a fortune-seeker had lost not only his gains but his life.
On the far horizon, Wu Tong and Liu Yun rode their steeds alongside the line of camels. Guided by Cao Ming, who knew the desert well, and with the winter cold keeping the heat at bay, they crossed the wastes in a mere ten days. Emerging at last, they approached a village—only to find a band of marauders blocking the road.
One of the brigands bellowed:"Leave your goods and silver, and we may spare your lives!"
Wu Tong and Liu Yun stepped forward grimly. A host of armed men barred the path. With a flutter of lightness skill, Liu Yun alighted in the center of the road, her figure still as a mountain."Petty thieves," she said coldly, "what skill have you, to dare such arrogance here?"
The brigand leader gaped as a beautiful maiden descended from the air with the whistle of breaking wind. He leered:"Well, well! A fair girl. Don't seek trouble. Leave the goods or face us as enemies. Do you dare to fight?"
His tone held no respect. Liu Yun snorted."Why would I not dare?"
The bandit leapt high."Good! Today I shall see what you can do, to strut so boldly!"
Liu Yun asked coolly,"And what is your name in the greenwood?"
The man's face darkened."I am a true hero of the forest! Little miss, you're comely enough, but how dare you insult me so?"
Hot-tempered and full of pride, he fancied himself a paragon of bravery, unchallenged in his strength. But Liu Yun, daughter of the Heavenly Veneration Sect's Master, was never one to mince words. Her tongue, careless yet sharp, struck him like a whip.
"And how have I insulted you? You bar the road with blades and demand tribute—what else are you but a bandit? I called you by your title, and rightly so!"
The caravan folk burst out in agreement, even the bandits on either side nodding secretly. The leader was left stammering, his face burning with shame. At last he roared,"Silence! Girl, listen well. I am the infamous Road-Block Tiger Wang Ba, known to all in Longyou, whether black path or white!"
Liu Yun sneered:"Never heard of you. I am Liu Yun. Enough words—make your move!"
Wang Ba flushed purple, his temper exploding."Sharp-tongued wretch! If I don't teach you a lesson today, my name will be in ruins!"
Liu Yun advanced a step, eyes cold, lips curled in disdain."Why waste breath? Strike! Retribution is already upon you."
Wang Ba could bear no more. With a furious howl, he cried,"Your life is mine!"
He sprang aloft, palm slamming downward toward her crown.
But Liu Yun's inner qi surged. Stepping the Seven Stars, she whispered:"The Primordial Breath fills my form—"
Her body blurred into after-images; the palm crashed only upon empty air. A second palm came like thunder, but her steps shifted again:"Yu's stride pushes upon the Sun's height—"
She wheeled and slid, evading each strike with ease. Wang Ba launched palm after palm, seven in a row, yet her body, guided by the Great Yu's Seven-Star Steps, drifted like a phantom. With each step she softly chanted:
"Heaven turns, Earth revolves, I tread the Six Jia—I pace the stars and tread the Dipper, aligned with the Nine Spirits—My fingers press, demons scatter, the wicked all tremble—Heavenly gods aid me, hiding my form—All calamity shall pass me by."
Her breath and palms moved as one, qi rising and falling. Not once did his attack touch the hem of her robe.
Wang Ba was aghast, veins bulging on his brow. Never had his iron-forged body and brutal palms failed so utterly—each blow striking nothing but air, as though against the void.
"What sorcery is this?!" he cried, shaken. Rage and doubt gnawed at him. Suddenly he withdrew, sucking in a deep breath, scheming: "She hides in shadow while I stand in light—better to draw her out. If she attacks, I can seize the chance to counter and win!"
He shouted,"What witch are you, using devilish arts? Such trickery is no fair duel!"
Liu Yun laughed aloud, shaking her head in scorn."So this is the famous Road-Block Tiger of Longyou, feared in both black and white circles? And yet, a man like you cowers before a young woman, crying of witchcraft? If word spread, what face would you have left in the jianghu?"
Her words stung like daggers. Wang Ba's face flushed a deep crimson, jaw clenched in fury."Enough! You hid behind sorcery when I struck. If you're so bold, attack first! Let me see what you can do."
Inwardly he thought: "Her lightness skill is odd, but it is but evasion. If she dares to strike, she'll expose an opening—then I'll crush her!"
Liu Yun read his mind, smirking inwardly."He cannot touch me and now seeks to lure me in. Very well, let him taste true despair."
Her gaze sharpened, right palm slowly rising as qi gathered."So be it. I'll grant your wish—just don't cry defeat when it comes!"
Her form flickered, power condensing around her. An invisible pressure filled the air. The real clash was about to begin.