Wu Tong and his companion traveled a thousand miles to reach the Anxi Protectorate. Their mission was to deliver the imperial edict into the hands of General Li Sìyè, and thus their task was fulfilled.
That morning, General Li Sìyè assembled five thousand elite soldiers at the grand gates of the Anxi Protectorate. Oxen and white horses were prepared as sacrificial offerings. After leading the troops in burning incense and paying homage to Heaven and Earth, the general mounted the steps and, with a solemn yet impassioned voice, declared:
"Soldiers of the Tang, we save the suffering, rescue the distressed, serve our country above, and bring peace to the people below. Now, An Lushan, wolf-hearted and treacherous, deceives the Emperor and harms the people. He rebels against the Tang, plunging the land into smoke and fire, making the people's lives unbearable. His poison harms both men and spirits alike. The world gnashes its teeth in hatred; Heaven and Earth cannot tolerate him. All loyal sons of the Tang grieve with indignation, righteous men rise up to resist the traitor. At such a time, this is the moment for us of the Anxi Army to shed our blood and win immortal merit. Today, by imperial command, we march to suppress the rebellion, to render extraordinary service, to raise arms and display our might, and to preserve the dynasty. Heaven and Earth bear witness to our hearts!"
Having spoken, General Li Sìyè drew his blade and raised it high, crying:
"Raise arms, display our might, and preserve the realm!"
The soldiers below, blood surging with passion, answered in thunderous unison. The generals at his side unsheathed their swords, shouting the same words. In an instant, countless blades flashed, countless arms thrust high. The cries of "Raise arms, display our might, and preserve the realm!" shook the mountains and rivers, echoing like thunder.
After leading the army in sacrifice and proclamation, Li Sìyè rode forth at the head of his troops, a scene destined to be recorded for all time.
Wu Tong understood that General Li Sìyè had been entrusted by the Emperor with grave responsibility—loyal and true, his courage and devotion shining before Heaven itself. Such loyalty would be remembered for generations, his name blazing across the annals of history.
A verse says:Burning incense to Heaven and Earth—solemn devotion.The thunder of hooves resounds—unyielding courage.Iron cavalry clash and leap—unyielding steel.Their spirit swallows the clouds for ten thousand miles.
Yet the affairs of the world are never certain. Since the Tang army was swift cavalry, marching by day and camping by night, Wu Tong and his companion could not follow. They turned back instead, riding along the desolate, barren official road.
Suddenly, a carriage came racing toward them. The driver, a burly man, pulled hard on the reins, urging the steed to greater speed. The curtains of the carriage fluttered in the wind. Behind, dozens of horsemen closed in, swiftly surrounding the carriage.
The driver, alarmed, drew a great blade to defend himself. At that instant, one of the attackers leapt from horseback—a short, wiry man wielding a flashing knife. Steel clashed as sparks flew. The two men traded blows in rapid succession, blades ringing as they advanced and retreated, fighting fiercely.
The short man barked out in a loud voice:
"He Ping! I respect you as a man. Step aside now, lest you become a corpse beneath my blade."
This man was Feng Qiang, known in the martial world as the "Dwarf Knife." The defender was He Ping, famed as the "Thunderbolt Blade," his Thunderbolt Saber Art fierce and roaring like a storm. Hired for heavy pay to escort a master to Tianshan, He Ping had seen a smooth journey until they passed Hami—only to be ambushed by these persistent foes.
He Ping retorted:
"I took heavy gold. How can I betray my word? If you want me to step aside, first you must defeat this saber in my hand!"
Feng Qiang's face hardened.
"So be it. Today you and I must settle this with our blades. Take this!"
With that, "Dwarf Knife" Feng Qiang unleashed his Ground-Rolling Saber Art, dropping and rolling across the earth, spinning close and striking at He Ping's legs. His movements were swift, darting low and striking upward.
He Ping leapt and dodged, his saber thrusting downward with each motion, countering the rolling attacks. Sparks flew again as their weapons clashed. He Ping suddenly raised his blade skyward, then swept into his Thunderbolt Steps, his saber whistling with a roar like wind and thunder.
Feng Qiang felt a jolt of fear at the ferocity, but twisted aside with flowing blade-flowers, stepping in a pattern of three stars to evade and counter. Once again the clash resounded.
But at that very moment, one of the attackers suddenly forced his way into the carriage, striking down at its occupant. A scream tore through the air. He Ping, caught mid-duel, could not react in time. Shocked, he bellowed and unleashed his ultimate move, Thunder's Wrath. His saber swept with devastating force, like a storm tearing through grass and snow.
Sensing disaster, Feng Qiang leapt back and disengaged. He Ping rushed to the carriage and cried:
"Lord Li—!"
But it was too late. The man inside lay dead. He Ping's face turned ashen, grief and fury burning in his chest.
"Feng Qiang! Lord Li is dead. What more do you want?"
The "Dwarf Knife" sneered coldly:
"Do you think I care who he was? My orders are to kill the three who left the palace in Luoyang that day. Better to kill the wrong one than to let a target escape! He Ping, once again—I respect you as a man. Step aside, or die beneath my knife!"