"Song of the Steppes""On the steppes of Chille, beneath the Yin Mountains.The sky is like a vast dome, covering the land.The sky so blue, the wild so vast.When the wind blows, the grass bends low, revealing cattle and sheep."
Wu Tong and Liu Yun went downstairs for breakfast, where they unexpectedly heard a storyteller recounting tales of the martial world. After eating their fill, they left the inn and mounted their horses to continue their journey. Just then, a man came running from the far end of the road, shouting in panic:
"Disaster! Disaster! The Yinshan Sect is clashing with the Nanshan Sect and the Qinghai Sect! There's fighting up ahead—don't go any further!"
In a moment, the road was filled with people spreading the warning, and many merchant caravans turned back.
Liu Yun said, "Brother Tong, must we take this road?"
Wu Tong gently replied, "Are you afraid? Your body has only just recovered. If anything happens, do not strike—leave it to me!"
Hearing this, Liu Yun felt sweetness in her heart, smiling softly: "As you say. Let's go take a look—perhaps we can help."
As more and more caravans turned back, only Wu Tong pressed forward against the flow. The merchants called out to them: "Don't go! The Yinshan Sect is battling the Nanshan Sect and the Qinghai Sect—there's a deadly fight up ahead!" Wu Tong and Liu Yun thanked the well-meaning people for their reminders but continued forward. Soon enough, the road ahead was indeed blocked. On one side stood men in black garb, while on the other side banners fluttered high—those of the Nanshan Sect, Qinghai Sect, Minshan Sect, and Riyue Mountain Sect.
At this moment, the Yinshan Sect barred the way, preventing the four sects from advancing. A man of dignified bearing, about forty years of age, stepped forward and declared loudly:
"I am Huang Jian, Master of the Nanshan Sect. Do the men of Yinshan mean to block our path?"
From the Yinshan Sect came a man of sly appearance, about thirty years old, who shouted back:
"Huang Jian of Nanshan, such lofty airs! Do you not weigh your own worth before coming to Yinshan? Our Yinshan Sect is not so easily bullied!"
Master Huang Jian, with the manner of a true sect leader, replied sternly:
"The Yinshan Sect commits many acts of evil and depravity. If you repent and withdraw now, we shall not hinder you."
The Yinshan Sect was known for many fearsome figures. Their leader was the Yinshan Celestial Venerable, with underlings such as the Yinshan Twin Ghosts (Right Ghost Envoy Cui Ming and Left Ghost Envoy Duan Hun), the Nether Envoy "Must Die," the Sun Envoy "Cannot Live," the dread hunter "No Escape," the fierce demon Yuan Rong, the cruel fiend Hong Qi, the Tianshan Elder Wu Ren, the terror "Ghost's Scourge" Wang Yu, the mad ghost Bai Chang, and many more.
The sly man sneered: "I am the Soul-Claiming Ghost, Jin De. I've come to test your skill." With that, he leapt forward, palm striking.
Master Huang Jian, enraged by such insolence, stepped aside and countered with lightning speed. Their palms collided with a resounding crack, each testing the other's strength. Jin De felt his arm shaken numb, his steps forced back several paces, face pale. Yet he hissed:
"Master Huang, your skill is impressive—but today I've not come to claim lives. I am here to warn you: our sect has laid its plans. Step further, and you march into a trap!"
The four sects shuddered at his words, hair standing on end. Yet Huang Jian's eyes blazed with heroic spirit as he sneered:
"With skill like yours, you dare threaten us? Your arrogance invites death!"
Then Hong Hao, Master of the Qinghai Sect, square-faced and stern, declared coldly:
"If we do not teach them a lesson, they will never learn."
Jin De retorted with malice: "I am the Soul-Claiming Ghost—but it is you who shall become a ghost today!"
In an instant, Hong Hao shot forward like lightning, palms striking furiously. Though Jin De tried to defend, he was overwhelmed. Hong Hao spat coldly:
"You are the Soul-Claiming Ghost—then I am Zhong Kui, the demon catcher, come to vanquish you!"
After a flurry of strikes, Jin De's guard broke; with a crash he was hurled back, blood at his lips. Members of the Yinshan Sect rushed to lift him up.
Hong Hao, brimming with pride, said loudly:
"I'll spare your life this time. Go back and tell your Yinshan Celestial Venerable—we shall come to his mountain tomorrow to test his so-called skill!"
Suddenly a cold, mocking voice echoed:
"Arrogant fools! Do you think to swagger before the Yinshan Sect?"
All turned, but no figure was seen—until, in a flash, a black-clad man appeared in their midst, his speed shocking to behold. He was lean and sharp-eyed, like a hawk, his gaze cold and piercing. His voice rang:
"Fools who spurn heaven's path, and rush instead to hell's gate! I am the Soul-Chaser of the Ends of the Earth—known as No Escape."
The gathered heroes felt a chill. Truly this man was infamous—an evil master, his lightness skill unmatched.
Then Jiang Sheng, Master of the Riyue Mountain Sect, stepped forward with fearless bearing. He declared:
"I am Jiang Sheng. I'll match blades with you today."
"No Escape" sneered: "A petty little sect dares make trouble here? You overestimate yourselves."
Jiang Sheng smiled coldly: "Though small, we stand upright and righteous, never hiding our deeds. Unlike you lot—who plunder and defile women with vile abandon."
"No Escape" laughed aloud, then growled:
"Enough prattle! If you lack the skill, hand me your life!"
With a blur, he was upon Jiang Sheng, palm lashing, foot sweeping. Jiang Sheng parried with palm and leg, the two trading probing blows. Then Jiang Sheng flowed into Cloud Hand, drawing the enemy's wrist aside, shifting to the flank. With a twist and strike, he forced his foe to retreat.
"No Escape" muttered to himself: Good skill! He pressed down with both arms, palms thrusting. Jiang Sheng slipped aside, countering with Eight Trigrams Palm. Each motion followed the lines of the Bagua, eight directions in constant change. With the interplay of the earlier and later heavens, his palms unfolded into sixty-four transformations, ceaseless and unpredictable.