After Wu Tong and Li Qian had dealt with the Black Bear King Xiong Wu on behalf of the benevolent Master Liu, they quietly departed. By noon they reached a roadside tavern and teahouse, where they stopped for a meal. Once they had finished, they led their horses back onto the official road.
Suddenly, the sound of galloping hooves thundered behind them—several riders streaked past like bolts of lightning. Wu Tong and Li Qian exchanged a glance, then spurred forward in pursuit. Before long, they came upon a confrontation along the roadside: two opposing groups of men locked in a tense standoff.
"Hand over the treasure, and you may walk away unharmed!" a voice barked.
Wu Tong focused and recognized the speaker—it was none other than Zhang Cheng, chief of the Waterfront Gang. Beside him stood He Yong, second-in-command of the Xingwu Gang, as well as a host of allies: Mo the Old Immortal, "Iron Palm Brute" Chuanbei, and "Yin-Yang Hands" Uncle An.
"Zhang Cheng, you disgrace us all!" shouted another. "To sell your soul for a tiger's favor—what a shame upon the guilds of Jiangbei's canal trade!" The speaker was Tang Fei, second-in-command of the Phoenix Gang.
The atmosphere was charged, blades half-drawn, sparks ready to fly. Zhang Cheng sneered, folding his arms."Tang Fei, spare us your lofty words. These silver ingots belong rightfully to our Waterfront Gang—what robbery is this you speak of?"
At this, He Yong of the Xingwu Gang stepped forward."The Emperor of Great Yan is valiant and mighty. The canal guilds must recognize the times, and cease their stubbornness!"
He Yong was young, strong, and agile. Tang Fei, brows knitted, barked:"Whelp! Did last time's lesson not suffice?"
At this, He Yong's anger flared. "Then let us test ourselves again!"Tang Fei's eyes narrowed. "If you have the courage, come at me!"
Words turned to action. He Yong sprang forward, both palms trembling with gathered force, striking straight at Tang Fei. The elder fighter snorted coldly, unruffled. With a step left, a step right, his left palm guarded his chest while his right hand chopped out in a fierce counter. The blow was unstoppable. He Yong reeled back in shock, forced to retreat. Tang Fei's eyes glinted with seasoned sharpness. Seizing the moment, he unleashed a storm of strikes—his palms tracing arcs, a chain of unbroken moves. One technique, "Thunderbolt Flash," burst out like lightning, fists hammering in rapid succession.
Unable to parry in time, He Yong scrambled back, forced to meet the strike head-on. Two thunderous bangs rang out; He Yong staggered four or five steps back—the outcome clear.
Zhang Cheng clapped loudly, applauding without pause. He called out with a mocking laugh:"Elder Tang, you are indeed formidable—your skills unmatched, your vigor undimmed! I am most impressed. Yet, alas, one man alone cannot hold the tide. However brave you may be, how will you contend with the many masters at my side?"
Tang Fei's chin lifted, eyes blazing. "As Mencius said: 'He who exerts himself digs like one drawing water from a well.' A true man must act with purpose! These funds are for the righteous army. How could they fall into your hands?"
At his words, the Phoenix Gang fighters roared with renewed spirit, blades clashing in unison. The opposing side too bristled with hostility.
Li Qian's eyes swept the field; she whispered: "Husband, we must intervene." Wu Tong gave a small nod, hands tightening on the hilt of his saber. The tension thickened—the storm was about to break.
Zhang Cheng pressed on, his voice low and threatening:"Tang Fei, your heroism is known, but if you lose your life here, what use is it? You'll not only lose the funds—you'll lose your head!"
Tang Fei, tasked by Phoenix Gang leader Qiu Feng and Xu Zhou Gang's Xu Li to escort the collected silver to supply the Tang army, stood tall, steeped in the classics he loved. He declared, his tone iron-boned:"Mencius said: 'One who feels no shame is truly shameful!'"
The words struck like thunder. Zhang Cheng's face twisted with rage. His brows flared, eyes bulging, and he shouted:"Enough! Tang Fei, you spurn my goodwill—you force our hand!"
And again, he quoted Mencius in bitter irony:"A man invites insult upon himself before others insult him; a household destroys itself before others destroy it; a nation wounds itself before others strike it down."
Tang Fei sank into a firm stance, raising his hands in readiness. His voice rang out like steel on stone:"My will is set! Speak no more!"
The north wind howled along the road, carrying his words like banners. His iron resolve stirred all who heard.
Zhang Cheng, wary of Tang Fei's might—for he had lost to him before—snarled:"Iron Palm Brute Chuanbei! This obstinate old fool is yours to deal with!"
Chuanbei barked: "Leave it to me!"
Even as the words left his mouth, a sudden gale rose. Dust and stones swirled, the air vibrating with violent force. Chuanbei's twin palms lashed forth with vicious power, aiming square at Tang Fei's head. The oppressive qi howled through the field.
Tang Fei muttered, Good! He slipped aside, unleashing a sweeping leg that forced Chuanbei to leap back. Tang Fei pressed in with two rapid steps, his palms surging with inner strength. With a shout, he launched "Kua Fu Chases the Sun"—his arms cutting through the air like storming waves.
Palm winds crashed violently. Even Chuanbei, famed for his iron palms, found himself forced back, retreating seven or eight paces.
"Impressive!" Tang Fei roared, following with a spinning strike, "The Hawk Turns Midair." His whirling palms tore at the air. Chuanbei hastily parried, suddenly on the defensive.
Tang Fei pressed the advantage, his next strike, "Circle Hands Lifting the Moon," flashing forward in a double-palm assault. Chuanbei braced, slamming his palms against Tang Fei's. Two sharp cracks rang out as they broke apart.
Chuanbei scowled, but laughed harshly. "So the old man has some tricks! Looks like I'll need help!"
Zhang Cheng, shaken by Tang Fei's ferocity, barked once more:"Very well! If he will not yield, then Uncle An, Yin-Yang Hands—join with Chuanbei!"
Uncle An called out, "Brute, this fellow is younger than us both!"Chuanbei snapped back, "Enough chatter—help me!"
With that, Uncle An charged, his palms slashing the air. In a blink he leapt high, his strike splitting the wind with deadly force. Suddenly, a palm descended—
(to be continued…)