At present, the martial world's two most mysterious organizations were the Palace of Nine Heavens and the Palace of the True God. The master of the Palace of Nine Heavens was the Divine Lord of Nine Heavens, Long Zhentian. Under him were the Left and Right Envoys of Heaven and Earth, Li Han and Ling Yun; the two great Elders, Lin Ping and Shen Er; and the Four Envoys of Heaven, Earth, Wind, and Thunder—Zhou Da, Xu Er, Sun San, and Ma Si.
Wu Tong stepped forward and said:"Senior, your years are advanced. In my opinion, there's no need for weapons—let us test each other barehanded."
Elder Lin Ping, the Qilin Elder, sneered:"What need for more words? Allow me to experience your skill!"
Even before his words faded, his body shot forward like an arrow from the string, his palm striking directly for Wu Tong's crown. Wu Tong shifted, countering with a palm of his own. With a booming crack, Elder Lin Ping staggered back five or six steps before regaining his stance.
Wu Tong's gaze was cold:"Senior, I have no wish to make enemies of the Palace of Nine Heavens—do not force my hand!"
Lin Ping barked:"Elder Shen Er, come quickly! This boy relies on his skill and dares treat our Palace of Nine Heavens with contempt!"
At that, a black-faced elder with a grizzled beard stepped out."Throughout history, the Hallmasters of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness have been among the world's greatest heroes. Allow Shen Er to test your skill!"
Just then, Liu Yun leapt forth, her voice sharp with disdain:"What, two seniors intend to bully the few with the many? Then let me, Liu Yun, test your skill first!"
Elder Shen Er of Xuanwu thundered back:"You impudent girl, you dare belittle the Elder of Xuanwu? I shall deal with you first!"
Before the last word faded, he charged forward, palm-wind howling. Liu Yun's steps shifted into the Nine Palaces footwork, her palms crackling with force like lightning. The two clashed instantly.
Liu Yun's feet pressed into the numbers One and Six—Water. Shen Er, meanwhile, stepped upon Seven and Two—Fire. Liu Yun suddenly unleashed her move "How Far Apart?" directly into the center gate. Shen Er, startled, spun into position at Four and Nine—Metal. Liu Yun advanced into Seven and Two—Fire, pressing her counterattack. Shen Er retreated to Three and Eight—Wood. Liu Yun pursued into Four and Nine—Metal. Thus she circled him step by step, her footwork weaving through the cycle of the Five Elements, pressing him without respite.
The ancients had long assigned the numbers One through Nine to the Five Elements and the Eight Directions:
One and Six = Water (north, northwest)
Seven and Two = Fire (west, southwest)
Nine and Four = Metal (south, southeast)
Three and Eight = Wood (east, northeast)
Five = Earth (center)
And the cycle of mutual conquest was: Water overcomes Fire → Fire overcomes Metal → Metal overcomes Wood → Wood overcomes Earth → Earth overcomes Water.
At that moment, Elder Lin Ping suddenly struck from the side. Liu Yun instantly shifted into the move "Vague and Elusive." Her steps and techniques became erratic, seemingly without order. Both Elders Lin Ping and Shen Er were taken aback, unable to attack, forced to defend with all their might.
Suddenly, Liu Yun's palms struck out. The two Elders were forced to meet them. With a thunderous crack, the three split apart. Liu Yun stood firm as a mountain, while the two Elders stumbled back six full steps. The outcome was plain for all to see.
Her voice rang cold:"Today I've only shown you a fraction of my skill. Do not hinder us further, or you alone will bear the consequences!"
Without another glance, she turned and left with Wu Tong. The disciples of Nine Heavens could only watch in silence, none daring to step forward.
Wu Tong, Liu Yun, and Zhao Zhu's family soon reached the main road and prepared to part ways. The young girl Lan Jingtong suddenly said:"Thank you, Uncle and Auntie, for saving me. When I grow up, I too shall learn martial arts, to uphold justice as you do!"
Her uncle Zhao Zhu sighed:"Jingtong, finding a good master is no easy matter."
The girl turned to her aunt Lan Xin:"Auntie, please find me a master like Auntie Liu Yun. I want to learn martial arts!"
Lan Xin's heart grew heavy—where could she possibly find such a teacher? She was still hesitating when Wu Tong said:"I happen to know of a recluse master you might seek. Her martial arts are peerless—she is the Nun of Tianshan, master of the 'Water-Moon Nunnery.' I once shared a few days' acquaintance with her. If you seek her and say you were recommended by Wu Tong, Hallmaster of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, I believe she would accept the child as her disciple."
Liu Yun added:"That's right. The Nun already has a young female disciple, perhaps two years younger than Jingtong. She would have a companion to grow with."
Zhao Zhu clasped his hands."If that is so, then my wife and I shall not return to Zhao Village just yet. We will go at once to the Water-Moon Nunnery on Tianshan and beseech the Nun to take her as a disciple. Many thanks to you both. We part here—may we meet again along the rivers and lakes!"
Thus, Zhao Zhu and his family mounted their horses and took their leave.
By midday, Wu Tong and Liu Yun entered a roadside inn for a meal. Shortly after, three middle-aged men came in and sat at the next table. Soon dishes were served—meat of chicken and beef, and a great jug of white wine.
As Wu Tong and Liu Yun ate, they overheard the Hebei-accented short man saying:"I heard that recently, the Divine Lord of Nine Heavens, Long Zhentian, paid a fortune to hire 'Stone-Splitting Demon Palm' Yin Li to send men into Tibet, seeking the Snow Lotus for his cultivation. But it seems they ran into men sent by the True God Palace's master, Tuoba Xingge, who tried to seize the lotus."
A man with the accent of Longyou quickly asked:"And what came of it?"
A tall man from the capital region answered loudly:"What else? Word is, the Divine Lord of Nine Heavens seized Tuoba Xingge's True Codex, deepening the feud between the two Palaces. Now, the True God Palace has dispatched its two great Dragon and Tiger Elders—Qin Wei and Wang Tao—along with the Four Envoys—Li Qi, Bai Mu, Wang Ben, and Zhao Li—to capture the Snow Lotus. By chance, they crossed paths with Yin Li and the 'Jade Guanyin,' who had just brought the lotus back from Tibet. The two sides clashed, but in the end, the Snow Lotus fell into the hands of the True God Palace."
The burly Hebei man grunted:"The Palace of Nine Heavens and the Palace of the True God are both tyrants of the martial world, each seeking dominance. This business of the Snow Lotus and the Codex is just the tip of the iceberg. Sooner or later, Long Zhentian and Tuoba Xingge will clash head-on."
The tall man from the capital added:"Speaking of dominion, one cannot ignore Murong Gui, master of the Black Dragon Sect. He is ambitious and cunning, a martial overlord heavily relied upon by An Lushan—he is not to be underestimated."
The Hebei man snorted:"You praise the evil sects too much, and dampen the spirit of the righteous path! The forces of justice are not lacking—**'Drunken Beggar' Fei Jin, Lord Liu Xuan of the Celestial Sect, Han Zhen of Crimson Heart, and Aluos, Patriarch of the Church of the Luminous Cross—**all are heroes of noble spirit. And let us not forget the rising star of the jianghu, the newly appointed Hallmaster of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness—Wu Tong!"
The man from Longyou laughed:"Indeed! Heroes rise with every generation, each shining in their own time. Since fate has brought us three together today, let us drink deep in celebration of the martial world!"
The three lifted their cups together and shouted:"Meeting in the rivers and lakes—let us drink to friendship!"
And with that, they drank heartily.