Suddenly, the sound of fluttering robes stirred the air. A shadow flashed across mid-sky, and in but a single instant the two fighters were forced apart. A stern voice rang out:
"Where mercy can be shown, show it!"
The speaker was none other than Wu Tong.
The Stone-Splitting Demon Palm Yin Li roared in fury:"Brat, it's you again?!"
Wu Tong smiled faintly."Elder Yin, it's been a while. I heard you even paid a visit to Tibet."
Yin Li snapped:"So you know about that already—yet you still have the gall to mock me!"
At this moment, Zhao Rou stepped forward unhurriedly."Elder Yin, since you've already won, teaching them a lesson is enough. Why must you take their lives?"
Yin Li retorted:"Little girl, you don't understand. These rascals never know their place. I've spared them again and again, but they refuse to listen. If I don't strike hard, there will be no end to the trouble!"
Wu Tong interjected:"Elder Yin, since they've already been taught their lesson, why not let the matter rest? Spare them."
Yin Li weighed the words. If he insisted on killing these men, Wu Tong would surely intervene—and Wu Tong's skill was formidable. Better to sell a favor now. Besides, if he truly slew them, how could the Nine Heavens Palace's Lord, Long Zhentian, ever let it pass?
At last he barked:"You fools are lucky today! If not for this boy, you'd be corpses already. This time I spare you—but if you cross me again, you walk the road to death!"
With that, he leapt into the air and vanished from sight.
The Xuanwu Elder Shen Er and the Qilin Elder Lin Ping, still nursing their wounds, stepped forward and bowed."We thank the Lord of Loyalty Hall, Wu Tong, for your righteous intervention."
The Four Envoys of Wind, Thunder, Earth, and Sky followed suit. Wu Tong returned their salute, and shortly after the men of the Nine Heavens Palace departed.
By dusk, Wu Tong and Zhao Rou found an inn to spend the night. The next morning they came downstairs for breakfast. The hall was crowded with diners. As they sat to eat, Zhao Rou leaned closer and whispered:
"Brother Tong, don't those two at that table look familiar? Isn't that woman the 'Jade Guanyin'?"
Wu Tong focused his gaze. Dressed in a scarlet martial outfit, with slender waist and graceful form, sat a middle-aged beauty—none other than Gao Siyao, the 'Jade Guanyin'. What was startling, however, was the man at her side: Sima Lun, the Black-Eating King.
She served him dishes with delicate hands, her eyes brimming with tender affection, ignoring all around them. Though well into middle age, Gao Siyao had preserved her charms; her beauty carried a faint air of coquetry. She was known for latching onto men of power and status—having parted ways with Yin Li, she had now entwined herself with Sima Lun.
Wu Tong muttered:"This matter may not end so easily. That man, you know him as well."
Zhao Rou narrowed her eyes."The Black-Eating King, Sima Lun!"
The two marveled at the shifting tides of the martial world, yet with so many patrons present, none interfered. Just as Wu Tong and Zhao Rou finished their meal, a thunderous voice erupted:
"Sima Lun! How dare you steal my woman?!"
Every diner dropped their chopsticks and turned to watch.
A burly man stormed into the inn, face twisted with rage, eyes wide as he glared at the pair. He wore a rough short jacket, a ring-pommel saber at his waist, exuding the fierce air of a hardened fighter.
The accused, seated calmly, was indeed Sima Lun. With a faint smile, he showed not a shred of panic. He glanced sidelong at Gao Siyao, then drawled:"Your woman? Siyao, this fellow claims you belong to him. Is that true?"
The scarlet-clad beauty chuckled softly, picking up a rib and placing it into Sima Lun's bowl. She shot the intruder a taunting glance.
Sima Lun sneered:"Well, if it isn't Yin Li, the Stone-Splitting Palm. Women yearn for strength. Whomever she chooses to follow—that's her freedom. Why so angry, Brother Yin?"
Gao Siyao rose and addressed the room:"Brothers of the martial world, be our judges! Yin Li and I were only partners in work. He never claimed me, nor I him. He is not my man, and I am not his woman!"
At this, voices rang out in support:"Well said!""She speaks true!""Exactly so!"
Yin Li's face darkened. Someone in the crowd shouted:"Brother, enough words! For a woman, there is only one way—duel!"
The room erupted:"Less talk, more action!""Settle it by strength!""Duel! Duel!"
Though seething, Yin Li restrained himself—an inn was too cramped and crowded for combat. He declared loudly:"Fellow heroes speak wisely. Sima Lun! Meet me at the Eastern Great Temple outside the city. If you are a man, prove it there in battle!"
Sima Lun remained composed, replying coolly:"Wait for me. In one hour, I'll be there."
Yin Li snorted coldly, flung his sleeves, and stormed out.
Excited onlookers shouted:"Let's hurry to the Eastern Great Temple for a good spot—Stone-Splitting Palm versus the Black-Eating King, a true clash of masters!"
Others followed suit, leaving the inn in anticipation.
Sima Lun finished his meal, then swaggered out with Gao Siyao on his arm, retainers clearing the way before him and attendants trailing behind.
Zhao Rou asked softly:"Brother Tong, shall we go as well?"
Wu Tong nodded."It does no harm to watch."
They paid their bill, mounted their horses, and rode to the Eastern Great Temple.
By the time they arrived, the temple square was already thronged with spectators. Yin Li stood ready. Soon, cries rose as Sima Lun approached, arm in arm with Gao Siyao, basking in arrogance.
At the sight, Yin Li's fury boiled over."Sima Lun! Release her hand!"
Sima Lun smirked."Siyao, stand aside. Allow me to teach this blind fool a lesson."
She smiled sweetly."Don't be too harsh—just discipline him a little."
Sima Lun replied:"As my Siyao wishes."
She withdrew, leaving the two men facing one another in the open square. The earlier flirtations still burned in Yin Li's eyes, stoking his rage.
He roared:"This is a man's duel—let us prove who is truly the man among us!"