On the barren ridge, the northern wind howled across the wilderness. Heroes and demons stood arrayed on opposite sides. Then the chief judge of the Martial World's Life-and-Death Judges Sect, Cui Fujun, spoke in a loud, steady voice:
"We three—Cui Fujun, Chief Judge of the Martial World; Li Yan, the Judge's Brush; and Sun Tian, the Judge's Blade—have come upon hearing that the Six Great Sects gather here today to drive out evil. We are present to witness and to uphold justice in the martial world. Now, let both parties state their positions."
The Kunlun Sect's master, He Jun, upon seeing the Life-and-Death Judges present, felt reassured. He raised his voice:
"Brothers of the martial world, I am He Jun, Sect Master of Kunlun. This Demon-Hunt Assembly is aimed at the Old Demon of Yin Mountain and his brood of snakes and rats. Since the Judges are here to preside, I will speak plainly. The Yin Mountain Sect has lately run rampant, lawless and unchecked. Common folk nearby are ceaselessly plundered and persecuted, their suffering beyond words. Worse still, the Yin Mountain Heavenly Lord has practiced vile arts—every first and fifteenth of the month, he descends the mountain to seize beautiful maidens, claiming it is for his cultivation. It is said that such sorcery, draining yin to nourish yang, has already harmed many women. Since the authorities cannot subdue Yin Mountain, we Six Great Sects uphold Heaven's will. We are here to carry out justice, to bring down this lecherous fiend, the Heavenly Lord of Yin Mountain. As for his followers—if they refrain from interference, they may leave unhindered. We will not stop them."
This was the plaintiff's statement—righteous, factual, and sharp in its strategy: to isolate the Heavenly Lord from his underlings, narrowing the target for precise judgment.
At this, eight Yin Mountain disciples carried out a man. The surrounding cultists chanted:
"Yin Mountain Heavenly Lord! Unmatched through the ages! Peerless in martial might!"
The man, about fifty years of age, eyes dark and brooding, was indeed the Heavenly Lord himself. Raising his right hand, he silenced his followers, then burst into a loud, chilling laugh:
"The Six Great Sects seek to besiege Yin Mountain? I fear it won't be so easy!"
Cui Fujun, the Judge, declared:
"Let the Heavenly Lord answer the charges laid by Kunlun's master. If you cannot refute them, the Life-and-Death Judges will deem the case proven and authorize the Six Great Sects to execute martial justice."
Yet the Heavenly Lord only laughed louder, his gaze sweeping the crowd.
"Indeed! What Master He of Kunlun said is true. Enough chatter! If you wish to fight me, first pass the trials of my subordinates. Only then are you worthy to face me!"
Judge Cui's face darkened.
"The accused, Heavenly Lord of Yin Mountain, defies law and reason, mocking the authority of the Life-and-Death Judges. This court rules in favor of the Six Great Sects. Let justice be carried out at once!"
The Heavenly Lord sneered:
"Spare me your nonsense. Mad Ghost Bai Chang—go test their strength!"
One man leapt forth from the Yin Mountain ranks, bowing:
"Yes!"
He shot forward, crying:
"Mad Ghost Bai Chang is here! Who will meet my challenge?"
A rustle of robes. A young man answered:
"Xu Zai of Kunlun is here to receive your moves!"
Mad Ghost Bai Chang, hair disheveled, ghastly in appearance, looked upon the youth—scarcely thirty years of age—and gave a cold snort:
"A mere junior dares to step out? Then do not blame me if my hand is merciless!"
Xu Zai replied with righteous fire:
"Good and evil cannot coexist. Even if I die in defeat, I will not regret it."
Bai Chang sneered:
"Excellent. The dead tell no tales!"
He lunged, palm striking. Xu Zai, alert, swiftly used "Sinking Beauty, Falling Swallow" to deflect, countered with "Returning Wind, Falling Swallow", and leapt high like a snow-white goose. Turning in mid-air, he unleashed eight successive palms, like wild geese diving into a lake after prey. The display left the crowd gaping. This was Kunlun's famed Falling Swallow Palm.
Though Bai Chang's skill was formidable, Xu Zai, a rising star of Kunlun, pressed him relentlessly. Bai Chang had been overconfident, careless. With three resounding thuds—peng, peng, peng!—he was flung backward, crashing to the ground unconscious.
The tide of battle shifted instantly. Yin Mountain cultists stood frozen, trembling. The Six Great Sects had come prepared, their elites chosen. At the very outset, they had struck a stunning blow. The cult had expected a struggle like the previous day's skirmish—but this day was different. Yesterday's clash had been against Nanshan and Minshan sects, whose status could not compare with Kunlun or Tianshan.
Now, Tianshan's master, Deng Tian, stirred by the glory won by Kunlun's youth, could not restrain himself.
"Today good and evil face their reckoning. Kunlun's disciple has shown his might. The Tianshan Sect must also contribute. Where is my disciple Wu Long?"
A tall, stalwart young man, about Xu Zai's age, stepped forth:
"Disciple Wu Long is here!"
"Then," said Deng Tian, "face the demons. If any dare oppose you, spare them no mercy!"
Wu Long bowed:
"I obey, Master."
He flew into the arena. Xu Zai and Wu Long exchanged respectful salutes; Xu Zai withdrew to Kunlun's side. Wu Long called out boldly:
"Wu Long of Tianshan is here. Which Yin Mountain master dares to face me?"
The Heavenly Lord thought grimly—his Yin Mountain Double Ghosts had been gravely injured yesterday. Better to send the Tianshan Old Freak, Wu Ren. He commanded:
"An army is raised for a thousand days, used in a single hour. Old Freak Wu Ren, this boy is yours."
From among the cultists shuffled forth a sinister figure.
"Old Freak Wu Ren is here. Boy Wu Long—have you heard my name?"
Wu Long scoffed:
"What pride is there in the fame of demons and charlatans? Truly shameless!"
Wu Ren's face contorted with rage:
"Insolent brat! Boast while you can—soon I'll have you bawling for father and mother!"
But Wu Long, brimming with heroic spirit, declared:
"Enough prattle! Old Freak, don't lean on age to bully the young. Show me your skill! To honor your years, I'll even grant you the first strike!"
Wu Ren had meant only to chastise him with words, but now, provoked, his fury boiled over, eyebrows bristling.
"Wretch! Take my blow!"
And with that, the Tianshan Old Freak struck.