In an instant, with a loud bang, Baili Tian crashed to the ground, falling unconscious. The bandits, shocked by the sight, froze in fear, the atmosphere tightening as everyone drew a sharp breath.
Baili Feng quickly rushed to support "Road-Blocking Tiger" Wang Ba, pressing two fingers beneath his nose and exclaimed, "Elder brother still breathes!" Baili Yun immediately took out a pill and forced it into Baili Tian's mouth, then the two brothers channeled their internal energy to stabilize him. After a while, Baili Tian finally regained consciousness, though his body remained weak, his breath faint, and he was unable to speak.
Liu Yun swept her cold gaze across the field and declared aloud, "If any of you mountain thieves remain defiant, step forward at once! Otherwise, begone!"
The bandits exchanged glances, already gripped by dread. At that moment, the second leader, Wang Tao, shouted, "Brothers, do not fear! We have numbers on our side. Take up your blades and kill her!"
Even before the words had fully left his lips, a shadow streaked from the sky, swift as lightning. With a tearing sound of the wind, Liu Yun's figure flashed forward before the bandits could even register her movement.
Wang Tao, startled, swung his saber fiercely, the blade's wind howling with murderous force. Yet Liu Yun's steps were fluid and elusive; with a graceful twist, she braced her left palm against her right and unleashed a strike!
Boom!
A muffled crash resounded, followed by a pitiful scream. Wang Tao was hurled several zhang away, slamming onto the ground. Writhing in agony, he coughed blood in torrents. Struggling to rise, he found his strength gone, and looked up at Liu Yun with terror and unwillingness in his eyes.
Liu Yun cast her gaze over the crowd, her tone icy: "Whoever does not fear death, come forth and try!"
Her voice carried the weight of thunder, shaking every heart. Her robe swayed gently in the wind as she stood like an immovable mountain. The surrounding bandits blanched, hands gripping their weapons yet trembling, their legs quaking. A few with greater bravado exchanged uneasy glances, attempting to muster courage—yet seeing Wang Tao crippled, their spirits collapsed, and they dared not move.
Even the "Three Eagles of Tianshan" wore grim faces. They had once dismissed Liu Yun, but now, watching her shatter Wang Tao with a single palm, they realized they had gravely underestimated her. Though unwilling, they knew further battle meant certain death.
The bandits, their leaders humbled, kept their heads low. Silence pressed over the field, broken only by the whisper of wind scattering dust and sand, steeped in grim stillness.
Again Liu Yun shouted, "Be gone!"
Her voice thundered like a storm, jolting the bandits to the core. Neither the "Three Eagles" nor any thief dared resist further. With downcast eyes, they helped each other up and fled in disgrace, their arrogance utterly broken.
Liu Yun clasped her hands behind her back, watching the rabble retreat, her lips curling into a cold, proud smile. She knew that after today, these lands would suffer no more from their depredations.
The caravan pressed on and, by dusk, arrived at a ruined temple. Amid crumbling walls and ancient towering trees, the air was solemn and silent, as though bearing witness to centuries of storms. Wu Tong and the caravan rested there for the night.
Yet Wang Ba and the "Three Eagles of Tianshan," bitter and humiliated, seethed with rage. Brooding on vengeance, they began rallying reinforcements for another ambush.
The next day, the caravan crossed a snow-covered plain when shadows rose upon the horizon. A troop of riders thundered forth, snow spraying from their horses' hooves, the sound of their charge like rolling thunder. From afar, their figures loomed with ominous momentum. The caravan's guards instantly tightened their grips, drawing swords in dread of attack. In a blink, the horsemen closed in, radiating killing intent.
Wu Tong spurred his horse forward, the still-sheathed Wolong Blade sweeping across as he stormed into their midst. A flurry of screams rang out as the vanguard fell from their saddles. The rest, shaken with fear, dared not advance. Shielded by Wu Tong, the caravan retreated swiftly to shelter within a hilltop shrine. Forced to abandon their steeds, the "Three Eagles of Tianshan" and their cohorts could only pursue on foot.
"A true man roams the world—why cower within walls?" scoffed Baili Yun.
Liu Yun stepped forth, eyes sharp as steel. "Was the lesson of yesterday not enough?"
Baili Feng sneered, "Old grudges must be avenged. Today, we've brought fine allies!"
"Then introduce these so-called heroes," Liu Yun said coolly.
Baili Yun laughed harshly. "Behold! The infamous 'Old Demon of Western Hills,' the dreaded 'Twin Ghosts of Yin Mountain,' and the 'Snow-Blade King of the Western Regions'!"
Liu Yun's lips curved into a mocking smile. "Grand titles indeed. But do they amount to anything? You think numbers will grant you victory?"
The Old Demon of Western Hills—an aged fiend with childlike face and crane-white hair, notorious across the martial world, named Peng Da—snorted. "Sharp-tongued wench! Let me test your true skill!"
He leapt, his palm strike fierce, a move called 'Crane's Cry, Serpent's Strike', his hand like a serpent lunging straight for Liu Yun's crown.
Liu Yun moved with the Nine-Palace Steps, shifting lightly, her body turning with the flow, slipping aside. But Peng Da pressed again, his second palm slashing down.
Liu Yun murmured calmly, "Hidden form revealed, I trace your path, I see the man within!" Her figure flickered, evading with uncanny ease.
Peng Da attacked relentlessly, yet each strike fell upon empty air. Liu Yun's body flowed like drifting clouds, her steps like lightning.
He snarled, "So it's true—this caravan harbors a demoness, weaving sorcery! I did not believe it, but now I see it with my own eyes!"
Liu Yun laughed, mocking him: "Are you not the Old Demon of Western Hills? Why then quake at a so-called demoness?"
Shamed, Peng Da flushed. "You hide behind trickery, flitting about! Hardly honorable combat!"
With a sly smile Liu Yun retorted, "Very well. I'll strike—your turn to dodge. But don't whine when you fail!"
Even as she spoke, she flashed before him, a palm exploding forward, its force vast and unstoppable. Peng Da gasped, staggering back in horror. Too late—her strike landed squarely upon his chest. With a groan, he stumbled, nearly falling, his innards roiling in agony.
Liu Yun withdrew her hand, standing calmly, her tone cold: "Do you wish to continue?"
Peng Da's teeth ground together, but terror filled him. To press on meant ruin. Cold sweat beaded his brow as he backed away. Baili Yun and the Twin Ghosts of Yin Mountain paled, realizing this battle would not be as easy as they had boasted. The air grew tense, heavier than ever.