Liu Yun continued:"Within a blink the two had exchanged over a hundred moves. Sima Lun exhaled, driving his strength, his figure suddenly shifting—his footwork was swift as lightning, darting toward his foe. Yin Li, the wielder of the Stone-Cracking Demon Palm, engaged him in fierce combat. In just moments they clashed another dozen times. Sima Lun's movements were like thunderbolts, weaving and darting like a shuttle, fast as a racing gale. Yin Li's stance, however, was as steady as Mount Tai. Each strike of his palms crashed down like falling monuments, surging forward with earth-shaking force. Every punch, every palm, carried the weight of ten thousand catties.
Then Sima Lun's style changed—sudden and elusive, drifting like an autumn leaf, fluttering and twisting midair. But Yin Li pressed on with relentless momentum, his aura blazing, his palms crashing down. Just then, a single strike made the onlookers cry out—it seemed the fight would be decided in that instant, with Sima Lun surely struck down beneath Yin Li's palm..."
Liu Yun grew anxious: "Sister Rou! How did it end?"Li Qian also asked: "Was Sima Lun defeated?"Zhao Rou chuckled: "If you wish to know the outcome, you must wait until the next telling!"
Liu Yun and Li Qian turned to Wu Tong. Wu Tong grinned and carried on:"At that moment Sima Lun turned defense into offense, striking fiercely in return. Their fists and palms collided, neither yielding. The crash of their qi clashing echoed like thunder. Suddenly, Yin Li's palms shot straight for Sima Lun's centerline—but Sima Lun swept his right hand outward in a perfectly timed deflection, as quick as lightning itself! Spinning his momentum into a horizontal strike, his palm landed squarely on Yin Li's abdomen. Smack! Yin Li staggered back, spitting blood, stars flashing before his eyes. He leapt back in retreat, yet Sima Lun pursued relentlessly—when suddenly the sound of fluttering robes rang out. A figure flashed into midair, and a sharp voice cried:'Stop!'
It was none other than the heroine Zhao Rou!"
Liu Yun sighed: "How pitiful for Yin Li, that Stone-Cracking Palm master."Li Qian added: "That glutton-king Sima Lun will surely strut proudly for a while."Zhao Rou said gravely: "Had I not intervened, Yin Li would have perished under Sima Lun's ruthless hand!"Liu Yun murmured: "Though I dislike them both, Yin Li's fate is tragic indeed—first abandoned by the 'Jade Guanyin' Gao Siyao who seized his treasures, now defeated by that gluttonous tyrant Sima Lun. His spirit must be broken."
Wu Tong interjected: "Perhaps his spirit falters for now—but from the look in his eyes, this grudge will not be forgotten. He will seek vengeance one day."Zhao Rou said: "A true man bends and stretches as needed. Let us wait and see how fate unfolds. After all, in the martial world, men fight for fame, wealth, or love—is it not but a mirror of the greater world?"
Then Zhao Rou turned to Wu Tong: "Brother Tong, what of the message that Daoist Master Danyang asked you to deliver to the Judge's Guild?"
Wu Tong stretched, yawning with a smile, his gaze warm with affection:"My dear ladies, the night is fleeting, and I have been long upon the road—let us set this aside for now. The hour grows late… Tonight, which beloved shall it be?"
Zhao Rou teased: "Not me?"Liu Yun laughed: "Not me either. It's Sister Qian's turn!"
Wu Tong approached Li Qian. She turned her gaze aside with shy charm, stealing a glance at her husband. Her eyes sparkled with coy allure, her cheeks tinged with blush, lips like spring blossoms. Wu Tong clasped her slender hand, and she stepped lightly beside him toward their chamber. As the saying goes: "Brief separations are sweeter than new wedlock; long separations sweeter still."
Spring flowers, autumn moon, silence all around. The two poured out their longing, reunited in joy. Candlelight from the red lanterns flickered upon the windows; within the gauze canopy shadows intertwined. In the warmth of their chamber, they shared conjugal bliss—what need is there to say more?
Spring Longing — by Li Bai
"Grasses by the Yan stream are like green silk,Mulberry trees in Qin bow low with verdant branches.When you yearn to return,Your lady's heart breaks with sorrow.The spring breeze does not know longing—Why, then, does it slip into the embroidered curtains?"
Two days later, Wu Tong and Li Qian set out once more, wandering the martial world and seeking word of the Judge's Guild, though its members were elusive as dragons. One day they reached a small town, where the townsfolk all wore grief upon their faces. Li Qian asked a passing matron:
"Good madam, why do the people here look so sorrowful?"
The woman sighed:"You must be strangers. In this town lives a certain squire, a man of great kindness—he builds bridges, paves roads, ever eager to help others. But calamity has come. His daughter, just eighteen, fair as a goddess—bright eyes, peach cheeks, lips like coral—has drawn disaster upon herself. The chief of a nearby bandit stronghold has laid eyes upon her. Tomorrow he comes to claim her as his bride. Alas! Heaven turns a blind eye!"
Li Qian's brows knitted: "Is this true? Such villainy cannot be tolerated!" She asked for directions to the squire's residence, and together with Wu Tong, went straightaway.
At the manor, they requested audience, declaring that the Loyalty Hall's master had come by imperial order to punish evil. The steward, alarmed, rushed to greet them, leading them to the main hall with utmost respect. Soon the squire and his wife entered. Wu Tong and Li Qian rose, bowing deeply:
"Master Liu, I am Wu Tong, leader of the Loyalty Hall, and this is my wife, Li Qian. Passing through, we heard tell of your benevolence and charity, and came to pay our respects."
The squire and his lady, both kind and dignified, were known as benefactors of the poor. Seeing the couple's noble bearing, they bowed in return, honored: "The Loyalty Hall's renown precedes you. Today your presence graces our humble home beyond measure."
Yet Madame Liu's face was clouded with sorrow. She sighed:"To speak plainly—our daughter, Yulan, has met with misfortune. That mountain bandit lord bullies with impunity. The magistrates, cowed by his power, dare not intervene. We are at a loss."
Wu Tong's brows drew together, his voice cold as steel:"Bandits who plunder and steal away maidens—how can the court stand idle? My wife and I will intervene. We swear to protect your daughter's honor and restore justice to your house."
Li Qian nodded: "Be assured—we will not allow such villains to prevail."
At this, Master Liu wept with gratitude and ordered a banquet prepared. Soon Yulan herself was called forth. Truly she was as radiant as rumored—gentle, elegant, a beauty beyond compare. She bowed before them, her voice soft as spring wind:"This humble girl thanks you, noble benefactors. I beg you to defend my honor."
Wu Tong and Li Qian exchanged a solemn look, their hearts stirred with righteous resolve. They vowed to shield this kind maiden from harm.