Wu Tong and his companion, by chance, rescued a group of reinforcement volunteer soldiers on the official road, and thus accompanied them onward. That evening, they camped in the wilderness. As dusk fell and darkness settled, the men lit campfires and began to cook. Before long, the moon rose high. Hungry stomachs were soon satisfied, and after dinner, the chill of early spring night set in. The men gathered around the fires for warmth.
Just then, under the moonlight, three faint silhouettes appeared, walking toward the volunteer camp. The guards immediately tensed, weapons in hand. When the three figures drew near, one of the guards shouted:
"Who goes there? Name yourselves!"
The leader replied:"We three are of the Judge of Life and Death Society of the martial world—Chief Judge of the Rivers and Lakes, Cui Fujun; Judge's Brush, Li Yan; and Judge's Blade, Sun Tian."
The guards were startled and quickly shifted to a respectful tone:"We did not know the Judge Society had business here. I will report to our commander at once."
Cui Fujun cupped his fists politely:"Please inform your commander that we seek audience with the Hall Master of the Loyal and Righteous Hall, Wu Tong."
By then Wu Tong himself had risen and come forward. Feng Gang's second-in-command, Tang Fei, greeted them:"Let the three honored seniors enter!"
Cui Fujun smiled and bowed:"Brother Tang! It has been years—your spirit is as vigorous as ever. I hear you have recently been taking missions for the volunteer army."
Wu Tong stepped up and added:"It has indeed been many months. To meet you three here today is an unexpected fortune!"
Tang Fei gestured to the fire:"The night is cold. Why not sit and warm yourselves? Whatever matter brings you, it can wait until we are seated."
The wind was like knives. The company gathered by the blaze. Once they were settled, Cui Fujun spoke gravely:"Hall Master Wu, we come with urgent business. We hope you will lend us your strength."
Wu Tong looked puzzled:"Respected seniors have always acted for the justice of the martial world. How could I, of such small worth, be of use? Why trouble yourselves to come here?"
Judge's Brush Li Yan sighed:"This concerns a matter most grave—a massacre that wiped out an entire household. And the culprit is…a revered monk."
Wu Tong was shocked:"Speak freely! If I can help in any way, I shall spare no effort. Such a matter must not be taken lightly."
Judge's Blade Sun Tian continued:"We were entrusted to arrange a life-and-death duel for the sole survivor. Yet the murderer is a man of high virtue and reputation. Without an official figure to uphold justice, none would believe it. And so we turn to you."
Cui Fujun nodded solemnly:"The tale begins ten years ago, on a stormy night…"
The three recounted the story with no exaggeration, hiding nothing. Eleven years ago in Ningzhou lived the wealthy Wang family, merchants of the western regions. Master Wang and his wife were devout Buddhists, often hosting ceremonies and visiting temples. Madam Wang's maid, Bie'er, was discovered in an illicit affair with a monk named Jingxin. When exposed, Jingxin was expelled from his monastery, while Bie'er was scolded harshly.
Harboring hatred, Bie'er later met Jingxin again—by then he had joined a band of river bandits. Together they plotted against the Wang household. On a dark, windy night, Bie'er led the bandits into the Wang estate. Eleven members of the family were slaughtered, their wealth plundered. Only a seven-year-old boy survived, spared by chance because illness kept him from the main house.
The massacre shocked Ningzhou. Yet the officials hastily closed the case as "bandit trouble," refusing to pursue the truth. With no evidence, no one dared investigate further. The boy was rescued and raised by a kind family. For ten years, he endured humiliation, secretly training in martial arts, living only for vengeance.
The Judge Society had spent years piecing together this hidden truth.
Hearing this, all present were filled with grief and anger. Li Qian wept openly:"Does anyone know where the surviving son is now?"
Wu Tong quickly introduced:"This is my wife."
Sun Tian responded:"Madam, take heart. It is the boy himself who now seeks justice for his blood debt."
Li Qian wiped her tears and cried bitterly:"A blood feud such as this cannot coexist beneath the same sky!"
Li Yan then asked:"Do you know which monk it was who ordered the slaughter of the Wang family?"
Wu Tong and his companions shook their heads. None could imagine such cruelty from a supposed man of virtue.
Cui Fujun fell silent for a time, then spoke:"The abbot of the Dharma Lotus Monastery—Master Weiyan."
All were stunned. Master Weiyan was renowned far and wide, known for feeding the poor, aiding the sick, burying the dead, and spreading Buddhist teachings. In disputes, he often mediated peace. His reputation was spotless.
Tang Fei exclaimed:"To think one could know a man's face but not his heart! Without an official representative, none in the martial world would believe such charges."
Li Qian, trembling with fury, spat:"A monk! To wear the robes of Buddha while committing such monstrous acts! And now he presides over a monastery as its abbot!"
Wu Tong considered deeply:"This is no small matter. It touches upon the honor of Master Weiyan himself. Surely you three have investigated his background carefully. Do you have proof?"
Cui Fujun replied:"The living witness is the Wang family's surviving son. Another is the bandit who shaved his head and became one of the monastery's four wardens. And where did the funds to build Dharma Lotus Monastery come from, ten years ago? Likely from the Wang family's stolen fortune. Moreover, our secret inquiries revealed this monk still eats meat and drinks wine in private, breaking all vows. As for the maid Bie'er—she opened a candle shop near the monastery. Ten years later, after being exposed in yet another illicit affair, she and her lover perished in a suspicious fire."
Li Yan added:"Our investigations found reports of this fire at the local yamen, but the case was hastily closed as an accident. The truth remains hidden, leaving the matter deeply suspicious."
At this, silence fell around the campfire. The shadows danced upon grim faces. It was clear—this blood feud hid secrets darker than any had imagined.