At that moment, Wu Tong stepped forward calmly, shaking his head."This brother is mistaken. The ancient classics say: To see injustice and do nothing is to lack courage."
The "Dwarf Knife" Feng Qiang scowled darkly. "Boy, one must know his limits when walking the jianghu. Don't throw away your life for a fool's notion of bravery."
Wu Tong replied firmly, "To uphold righteousness is to sacrifice oneself for others—what meaning is there in talking about odds and numbers?"
Even as his words fell, dark shapes appeared upon the horizon. Riders surged across the snowy plain, their horses kicking up sheets of white powder as they approached with astonishing speed. They dismounted, moving with the poise of experts.
Feng Qiang's face lit up. He rushed forward eagerly, bowing with exaggerated respect."Junior Feng Qiang, the 'Dwarf Knife,' pays homage to the Left and Right Envoys of Heaven and Earth—Li Han and Ling Yun."
The two nodded coolly. Behind them stood the Four Envoys of Wind and Thunder: Zhou Da, Xu Er, Sun San, and Ma Si.
Their eyes quickly fixed on Wu Tong and Liu Yun. Li Han's voice was deep and sharp."Feng Qiang, you cannot even deal with this handful? Are there masters among them?"
Feng Qiang bowed again. "That saber-wielder is the 'Thunderbolt Blade' He Ping—manageable, perhaps. But then these two appeared from nowhere and forced their way into the matter. The woman claims to be the daughter of Liu Xuan, Master of the Celestial Faith. As for the man—I have no idea who he is."
For the jianghu was vast; who could say how many hidden heroes lurked unknown in the wilds?
Li Han's gaze hardened. "Boy, who are you? Speak your name so all may know."
Wu Tong answered with calm authority, "I am Wu Tong, Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness."
Ling Yun's expression shifted. He barked, "The day we purged traitors from our palace, you interfered and slew our men!"
Liu Yun's temper flared. "So this is the Nine Heavens Palace—killing their own disciples, yet calling it purging traitors!"
Ling Yun bristled. "Nine Heavens Palace punishes betrayers. What has that to do with you, girl?"
Liu Yun's eyes flashed with scorn. "It may not concern me, but your Palace Master betrayed loyalty and gratitude. He had Lan Yu, the 'Heavenly Dog Star,' and Fang Cen, the 'Nine-Tailed Fox,' steal the True Scripture of the True God Palace—then murdered them to silence them."
"Girl, enough lies!" Li Han roared. "Who are you to spout such slander?"
"I am Liu Yun," she said coldly. "And I speak truth. If such filth spreads through the jianghu, your Nine Heavens Palace will be disgraced beyond repair."
Li Han's fury boiled over. With a snarl he sprang forward, palm lashing toward her head. Liu Yun slid back with agile steps, retorting, "So eager to silence me—afraid I'll tell the world your secrets?"
Indeed, in the jianghu, reputation was everything. Many bloody feuds began simply to bury shameful truths. Li Han dared not allow such words to spread.
His palm crashed down like thunder. But Liu Yun was no longer the girl of yesterday. Hardened under her father Liu Xuan's training, her skill had soared. She met his strike head-on.
Palm met palm. They circled, striking, feinting, probing acupoints—one fierce and direct, the other subtle and fluid. Li Han's Nine Heavens techniques were raw power, hard and overwhelming. Liu Yun's Limitless Palm was graceful, elusive, weaving yin and yang into one.
For fifty exchanges they battled, neither yielding an inch. Then they broke apart, circling warily. The air grew taut with silence; even a falling leaf might have startled the watchers.
Suddenly, Li Han gave a fierce cry, body swooping like a hawk. He unleashed the Palace's supreme skill—Divine Power of the Nine Heavens. His palms cleaved through the air like blades, roaring with thunder.
Liu Yun, serene as a drifting swallow, drew breath deep into her dantian. Her steps traced the Seven Stars. With a soft cry, she unleashed the Limitless Palm's profound form—The Highest Virtue is Like a Valley.
Boom!
Her flowing steps and circular palms dissolved his force as if into empty air. Li Han faltered, his momentum broken, horror flashing in his eyes. Impossible!
Before he could recover, Liu Yun surged forward, her palm blazing with the might of heaven and earth. He could only meet it head-on.
Another booming crash shook the ground. Stones split, snow whirled. Both reeled back—but Li Han now gasped for breath, sweat pouring down his temples despite the freezing cold. That was close… I could barely hold on!
The onlookers trembled. The outcome was clear—Li Han had survived only by luck.
Before the silence broke, a blur streaked forward—Ling Yun, the Right Envoy, palm surging in sudden assault.
Liu Yun's eyes gleamed like steel. Her footwork spun into the Nine Palaces, her qi surging to a purple blaze. She roared, unleashing another profound form—Great Clarity Appears Humble.
The blast tore the snow from the earth, scattering drifts into the air. Ling Yun recoiled in shock, forced to retreat. Liu Yun pursued, palm striking as they clashed mid-air.
With two thunderous collisions, all three dropped back to the ground.
Liu Yun stood tall, sleeves fluttering, voice like frost."You wish to silence me? It will not be so easy!"
Li Han and Ling Yun exchanged a grim look. Never had they imagined that this young woman's skill was so formidable. Alone, neither of them could have matched her. Even together, she had stood unshaken.