Those three men were assassins sent by the Palace of Nine Heavens. With blades in hand, eyes sharp and cold, their bodies exuded murderous intent—yet not a trace of fear.One of them, his face covered in a thick beard, eyes as icy as winter, was called Liu Sheng, known across the martial world as "Bearded Liu." A cold sneer hung at his lips as he growled,"Boy, you truly have no idea what kind of trouble you've brought upon yourself!"
Wu Tong's expression darkened. His voice, cold as iron, cut through the air:"Death is at your door, and still you dare speak such boastful words!"
Among them was another man, pale as death itself, as if blood had long fled his body. He was Cai Jing, 'White-Faced Cai,' whose chilling voice drifted like a ghostly wind, making one's skin crawl:"Boy, we are men of the Palace of Nine Heavens—you cannot afford to offend us!"
At those words, the little girl suddenly burst into sobs, crying out:"Uncle! It was these three villains who killed my parents! Please, kill them for me!"
Wu Tong's heart trembled. Fury flared within him, his eyes gleaming with killing intent. The Crouching Dragon Saber in his hand quivered as though sensing its master's wrath. These men had slaughtered innocents, treating human lives like weeds! Today, Heaven bore witness—could such villains be allowed to live? As the Hallmaster of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, he was bound to act with thunderous justice. To show mercy to such scum would be to betray that name. His gaze burned like torches as he declared, low and icy:"Little one, rest assured—these three shall not leave here alive."
No sooner had his words fallen than the short, stocky one's face shifted, fear flashing in his eyes. He was "Dwarf King," and in a trembling voice he cried:"This vengeance can wait for another day—run!"
With that, his body sprang forward like a startled hare, bolting to escape. But Wu Tong let out a cold snort, shifted his stance, and in a sudden flash his blade tore through the night like thunder.
Splurt!
A crimson spray burst into the air. The Dwarf King had leapt only a few yards when his throat erupted in a fountain of blood. Eyes wide with terror, he staggered two steps before collapsing lifeless, staining the earth red. The air froze still in silence.
Liu Sheng and Cai Jing saw Wu Tong's speed—he had seemed to move no more than a shadow—and horror struck them both. Even "White-Faced Cai," ever cold as ice, turned paler still. His voice shook as he pleaded:"Brother, we all live with our blades at our throats—why must you drive us to the end?"
Wu Tong stood unmoving, the tip of his saber angled toward the ground, eyes as cold as frost. He said slowly, each word like a hammer:"Today… none of you will leave."
The two men's faces drained of color, their grip on their swords trembling despite their forced bravado. Still, they steeled themselves for a desperate fight.
With a sudden motion, they sprang up together, blades slashing in tandem. Steel hissed through the air toward Wu Tong. But in that instant, Wu Tong's eyes flared like lightning. His voice was like the toll of doom:"When the King of Hell calls you at midnight, who dares keep you alive till dawn?"
Bearded Liu roared back,"The deer's death is not yet decided—we shall see who falls!"
The two exchanged a glance, then struck as one, twin sword-lights crisscrossing toward Wu Tong. Yet Wu Tong stood unshaken, like a mountain unmoved even if the heavens collapsed.
At the moment their swords closed in, a sudden flash of blade split the air—thunder crashing into the void.
A single strike—"Single Saber Straight Through."
The saber fell swift as lightning, unstoppable in its force, the edge cutting straight to the heart of their defense.
Slash!
A shrill cry tore across the night. Neither had time to dodge. Blood sprayed forth. Liu Sheng and Cai Jing toppled backwards together, lifeless, their souls sent to the Yellow Springs.
At that moment, a man and woman appeared, guiding the little girl forward. They bowed deeply before Wu Tong and his companion, gratitude written across their tear-stained faces. The girl was Lan Jingtong, daughter of Lan Yu, the "Heavenly Dog Star," and Fang Cen, the "Nine-Tailed Fox."
The two had met on the martial road, fallen in love, but fate bound them cruelly. Lan Yu served the Palace of Nine Heavens; Fang Cen belonged to the Palace of True God. Their sects were locked in bitter rivalry. Forced by circumstance, they swore an oath to Dragon Zhentian, master of Nine Heavens, to steal the True Secret Codex from the True God Palace's master, Tuoba Xingge. In exchange, they would be freed from service forever.
But fate is treacherous. They risked everything, succeeded, and delivered the secret book—only for Dragon Zhentian to betray them. Once the Codex was in his grasp, he ordered their elimination to erase all loose ends.
Lan Yu and Fang Cen fled with their daughter, hoping to take refuge with Lan Yu's brother-in-law, Zhao Zhu of Zhao Village. Yet barely had they arrived when the assassins struck. They fought desperately, but at last fell, dying tragically. If not for Wu Tong's timely arrival, the child and Zhao Village would have perished.
Wu Tong looked upon their bodies, grief tugging at his chest. He knelt before little Jingtong, his voice soft but firm:"Rest easy, child. Your parents are avenged."
He and his companions later found a peaceful spot to bury Lan Yu and Fang Cen. Zhao Zhu and his wife, Lan Xin, wept bitterly at the graveside, crushed with regret that they had not stopped the doomed pair from treading the martial world's perilous path.
Strangely, little Jingtong did not weep. She only stood before the mound, her eyes solemn, face etched with sorrow but no tears. After a long silence, she knelt and whispered:"Thank Heaven. Thank you, Uncle, for avenging my parents."
Her words were calm, but the grief in them cut deeper than wails. Perhaps this child had shed all her tears in flight and slaughter. Her sorrow had hardened into quiet resolve.
Wu Tong's heart quivered as he thought:"This girl… she may never again return to a life of innocence."
The mountain winds sighed, leaves scattered, as though the heavens themselves mourned the fallen lovers.
As dusk drew near, Wu Tong and his party entered a small city seeking rest and healing. Passing along the street, Wu Tong caught sight of a plaque above a gate: "Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness." Remembering the secret code entrusted to him by Han Zhen, he decided it was time to test it. He knocked upon the door.
A man led them into the great hall. At its center sat a middle-aged man. Li Jian gave the secret phrase:"A true man makes his mark in distant lands—how could he waste his life on brush and ink? What then should one of resolve do?"
The man startled, then replied:"He who never enters the tiger's den will never seize its cub!"
Wu Tong at once followed:"If one offends the Tang Empire…"
The man instantly rose and answered:"Though far away, he shall be destroyed!"
The middle-aged man introduced himself:"I am Mao Jian, a Uyghur, Hallmaster of the Western Branch of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness. Dare I ask this young hero's name?"
Wu Tong replied,"My surname is Wu, given name Tong," and presented his Hallmaster's token. Mao Jian turned pale with shock, then dropped to one knee."Your servant is guilty! The Hallmaster himself graces us—yet we failed to welcome you properly."
Wu Tong hastened to raise him up with both hands, saying,"Senior, you honor me too greatly. I am newly appointed, still unworthy of the title. My brothers here are wounded—we seek only to rest a few days."
With Mao Jian's aid, Zhao Zhu and Lan Xin soon recovered after drinking centipede wine. After two days, Wu Tong's party bade farewell.
Yet as they left the city and reached a crossroads, shouts rang out. A band of men leapt forth. One roared:"Who dares slay disciples of the Palace of Nine Heavens?"
Wu Tong stepped forward, voice cutting:"The Palace of Nine Heavens slaughters innocents, yet dares cry thief! Shameless villains, crying foul first—what justice is this? That day, I saw injustice on the road, and dealt with your curs accordingly. Heaven's justice may tarry, but it never fails!"
A young man shouted back:"Who are you, to defy the tiger in its lair, daring to pluck its fangs?"
Wu Tong's face grew stern, his presence awe-inspiring as he thundered:"I am Wu Tong, Hallmaster of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness!"
At these words, the crowd fell into uproar. Then an elder stepped forth, his tone grave:"If that is so, then as Elder Lin Ping, Qilin Elder of the Palace of Nine Heavens, I have no choice but to avenge our disciples this day!"