Shaken but steady, Yinshan Heavenly Lord drew a long breath, then said slowly,"Master He… splendid skill!"
He Jun, Master of the Kunlun Sect, thought to himself: Though this man has wrought evil across the martial world, he yet carries some shred of dignity.Aloud he said, "Old ghost, before you die, have you any last request? Speak it. If I can, I will see it done."
Yinshan Heavenly Lord gave a weary sigh, his sword-brows rising."Since this is a duel to the death, then spare me mercy. Strike cleanly, and send me on my way!"
A cold northern wind howled past. He had been a demon of the Jianghu all his life, yet even in this moment his bearing was rare to behold. He Jun, moved despite himself at the sight of a fallen overlord, raised his gaze and said firmly:"Very well!"
With a sudden roar, Yinshan Heavenly Lord sprang aloft, body whirling midair as his palms flipped over and drove forth with mountain-shattering force. It was a final, all-out strike, pouring in his life's cultivation. He Jun never expected such ferocity from one already wounded. The instant their palms met, the power surged like a tidal wave; He Jun felt a chill in his heart, his very soul shaken. He retreated swiftly, twisting aside, parrying with utmost care as dust swirled from the force of their clash.
A piercing cry rang out—He Jun soared forward, his palm slicing down like lightning toward the Heavenly Lord's chest. But the old fiend's counterforce blasted out like a hurricane; this was life-and-death combat, every move a desperate bid to snatch survival from Death's grasp. Yinshan Heavenly Lord spun and pressed his assault, palms flying like a mad storm. He Jun's qi coursed swift as lightning—slipping past vital strikes, his wide sleeve flicked backhand, raising a whirlwind of inner force that sent dust flying.
The two fought at breakneck speed, every ounce of strength unleashed. He Jun's body spun like a whirlwind, his palms overturning with a force like mountains crashing. He struck straight down toward the Heavenly Lord's crown. Unable to withdraw or evade, Yinshan Heavenly Lord took the blow head-on. Stars exploded before his eyes; with a muffled groan he staggered back several feet, coughing blood.
At that instant, He Jun vaulted skyward. Mid-air, he flipped and slammed down his palm with the Falling Wild-Goose Strike, raining down blow upon blow. With a resounding crack, one palm landed square on Yinshan Heavenly Lord's brow. His body swayed, his face drained of all color; his frame shuddered once, and he collapsed lifeless to the ground.
He Jun sighed softly. "Old ghost… travel well."
Wu Tong and Liu Yun stepped forward with the other sect masters. Tian Shan's Master Deng Tian said,"A hundred years is but one life. Treasure what years remain, Master He. Today we rid the Jianghu of a scourge—each man must do what strength he can."
He Jun bowed slightly. "Thanks to the support of all masters, the Demon-Hunt Assembly has achieved its purpose."
Then the three judges of the Underworld Court approached, bowing with clasped hands. Their chief, Cui Fujun, declared:"Today the Six Great Sects hunted the demon, and we came to bear witness and uphold justice. Fortunate indeed that this matter concludes without further slaughter."
He Jun replied: "We are grateful to the three of you for striving for the martial world, and for preserving justice."
Cui Fujun said: "Since the matter is ended, let us part ways here."
Wu Tong and Liu Yun also bowed: "Honored seniors, we too shall take our leave."
So the assembly broke apart, each faction departing its own way.
That evening Wu Tong and Liu Yun mounted their horses and rode on. Dusk deepened; they found an inn and lodged for the night. Next morning they continued westward, their path winding into the Qishan Mountains—the gateway linking Shaanxi, Gansu, and Sichuan, famed as "the key to Qin and Long, the throat of Bashu."
At the edge of the grasslands stretched a dense forest. Riding within, they glimpsed a fleeting shadow among the trees. Both stiffened with alert. Following the slope, they passed a stone cliff where characters were carved:
"Pure and Bright, Mighty in Wisdom, Supreme and True—Mani, the Buddha of Light."
Reaching a monastery clearing, they were struck with horror: blood pooled everywhere, bodies strewn about—at least ten lay slain.
Staring ahead, they recognized Li Rui, Dharma-King of the Manichaeans, and Zhao Ke, Dharma-King of the Fire-Worship Sect, standing outside the temple with anxious faces. Wu Tong and Liu Yun hastened forward, calling out:"Dharma-King Li Rui of the Manichaeans, Dharma-King Zhao Ke of the Fire-Worship Sect!"
Li Rui's troubled expression lit with joy."Hall Master Wu—what fortune to see you here!"
Zhao Ke broke into a broad smile: "With you at our side, we fear no one!"
Liu Yun asked: "Honored Dharma-Kings, what has happened here?"
Li Rui sighed heavily:"The Ghost Mansion of Qishan cast greedy eyes on this monastery. Today they came to seize it. Had we not arrived in time, the monks of this place would already lie in the Yellow Springs."
(The Manichaean faith, founded in the mid-third century by the Persian prophet Mani, blends elements of Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Buddhism. It teaches that at the world's origin there existed two opposing realms—Light and Darkness. When spreading in China, the sect borrowed Buddhist terms: its leader was called 'Mani, Buddha of Light'; its deities were called Buddhas; its Pillar of Glory translated as the 'Vairocana Dharmakāya,' signifying light pervading all worlds. For this it was condemned by Buddhists as a heterodox "parasite of the Dharma.")
Liu Yun asked: "And this Ghost Mansion of Qishan—what manner of power is that?"
Li Rui answered gravely:"The Ghost Mansion is a lawless sect here in the Qishan ranges. They collude with Tibetans, ambush local troops, plunder caravans, long serving as Tibet's agents within our borders. The officials are powerless to suppress them."
Wu Tong declared firmly:"The court reels with endless wars and uprisings—there is no peace. If the officials cannot deal with this threat, then let Zhongyi Hall handle it!"
Li Rui's face brightened: "Hall Master Wu, your words are just! Please, come within and rest."
Zhao Ke, overjoyed, clapped Li Rui's shoulder. "Hall Master Wu aided our Fire-Worship Sect before; now he comes again when the Manichaeans are imperiled. This is Heaven's aid, a sign of good fortune. Brother Li Rui, be at ease!"
The two Dharma-Kings well knew that Zhongyi Hall was ever true to its name—champions of loyalty and righteousness. With Wu Tong and Liu Yun at their side, tomorrow's battle would no longer be feared.