Wang Yun had originally come this day to pay respects to the Loyal and Righteous Hall's leader, Wu Tong, personally to thank him for upholding justice in his blood feud. By chance, he encountered the Dockside Gang leader Zhang Cheng and his men, who intended to rob the funds the righteous army had collected to supply the Tang troops. At that moment, Wu Tong's mind turned like lightning—he knew today's situation could not be settled easily without blood being shed. Better, perhaps, to let this young man test his skills and see for himself what he was capable of.
The Strange Hermit of the Immeasurable Mountain was by no means an ordinary opponent; by martial skill he ranked among the great masters. Yet Huang Qi and Chu Tianba, rushing with swords to aid him, were instantly forced back by Wang Yun's swordplay and had no choice but to leap aside. Wu Tong knew then in his heart that Wang Yun's desire for vengeance would not fail—this youth had the strength to carry it out.
After this battle, the righteous army was able to withdraw in safety, while Wang Yun's name spread throughout the martial world. So young, and yet he had repelled the Immeasurable Hermit as well as the Two Fiends of Huainan—truly his skill was extraordinary. Still, Wu Tong understood that the true trials lay ahead. The foes Wang Yun would face were not merely martial experts, but sects and factions deeply rooted in the rivers and lakes, many tied to the imperial court, straddling the line between righteousness and villainy.
What Wang Yun truly feared was not only Master Weiyan and his band, but the many sworn brothers of the martial world who formed cliques and alliances. Though not all were openly corrupt, entangled interests often drove them to aid the wicked. Wu Tong looked at him solemnly and said, "Brother Wang, your skill is remarkable, but Master Weiyan has wide connections among the brotherhood. You must not act rashly. Let us follow the guidance of the Judges of Life and Death. I will find a way to ward off interference from the factions, so that you may face your true enemies with your own hand."
Wang Yun, hearing this, was filled with admiration. Bowing, tears welled in his eyes as he said, "I thank the Loyal and Righteous Hall's Master Wu for standing firm against the pressures of the martial world and speaking on my behalf."
Wu Tong sighed lightly. "In this world, justice is seldom clear. On the day of reckoning, I will remove all obstacles and give you your chance to face your foes. A blood feud such as yours can only be repaid with your own hands." His gaze sharpened. "For now, you must rest and gather your strength. Prepare yourself for vengeance."
Wang Yun stood silent for a time, then nodded slowly. He knew his path of vengeance would not be smooth. Beyond martial skill, he would need steadiness of heart and careful strategy. Drawing a deep breath, he swore inwardly: no matter how perilous the road ahead, he would never retreat!
The moonlight fell upon the retreating figures of the righteous army, the night wind cool against their backs.
That day, the party arrived at the Tang military camp, where General Guo Xin came out personally to greet them. They lingered one night, then returned to the canal guilds. When news of Wang Yun's blood feud spread, the guildsmen were roused to fury; all vowed to attend the coming trial, to lend their voices in support.
On the fifteenth day, they arrived at Fahua Temple. Already the grounds were packed with people. A voice suddenly called, "Tong'er!" It was the Beggar Chief, Drunken Fei Jin, together with his four elders: Qian He, Song Ren, Chen Yan, and Jiang Feng.
Wu Tong hastened forward and bowed. "Wu Tong greets Senior Fei. This is Wang Yun, orphan of the Wang family." Turning, he said, "Wang Yun, this is the Chief of the Beggar Sect." Wang Yun bowed. "This junior greets Senior Fei."
Drunken Fei Jin said, "Boy, your vengeance has already spread like wildfire through the martial world."Wang Yun replied firmly, "I beg Senior Fei to uphold justice today, so that I may avenge the slaughter of my family!"
Fei Jin sighed. "Such a blood feud is indeed bitter and deep. This matter must rest in the hands of Master Wu of the Loyal and Righteous Hall. His very name means loyalty and righteousness—under his lead, no grievance will go unanswered. Let us act as the moment demands."
Just then, a voice rang out: "Master Wu!" It was the Mani Sect's King of Dharma, Li Rui; the Fire-Worship Sect's King of Dharma, Zhao Ke; the Nestorian Arch-Dharma King, Aluos; and from Shaolin, the Abbot Benjue, along with Elder Monks Benguang and Benxin.
Wu Tong hurried forward and bowed. "Wu Tong greets all revered seniors. This is Wang Yun, heir of the Wang family."
Wang Yun also bowed. "This junior greets the honored masters." At the sight of the young man—none other than the long-suffering Wang Yun—the assembly was taken aback. "Rise, no need for ceremony," they said.
Wu Tong asked, "Why have the honored seniors gathered here today?"
Abbot Benjue of Shaolin replied, "We were invited by the Judges of Life and Death to serve as arbiters. Alongside us are the Mani Sect's Li Rui, the Fire-Worship Sect's Zhao Ke, the Nestorian Aluos, and the Heavenly Veneration Sect's Master Liu Xuan."
Aluos added, "Had this injustice not been taken up by the Judges of Life and Death, today's public trial of the Wang family's massacre might never have seen Wang Yun's wrongs redressed."
Wu Tong bowed deeply. "I thank the honored seniors for presiding over this martial trial."
At that moment, a familiar call came: "Brother Tong!" It was Liu Yun, Zhao Rou, and Liu Xuan, Lord of the Heavenly Veneration Sect, with his right and left envoys Luo An and Hu Qi. Seeing his father-in-law, Wu Tong quickly bowed. "Your son-in-law greets his honored father-in-law and seniors."
Soon after, three figures entered: the Chief Judge of the martial world, Cui Fujun; the Judge of the Brush, Li Yan; and the Judge of the Blade, Sun Tian. The Judges' attendants set about arranging the grounds for the trial. Suddenly, four monks of Fahua Temple rushed out, shouting, "Stop!" The Judges' men halted.
The Judge of the Brush, Li Yan, stepped forward and cried, "So it is you! Are you not the very brigands who slaughtered the Wang family's eleven souls years ago? Do you think that by shaving your heads and becoming monks, by posing as the Four Heads of Fahua Temple, the martial world would not recognize you? Heaven's net is vast—wide, yet none escape!"
The crowd gasped and pressed closer. Someone pointed suddenly at one monk and exclaimed, "Aren't you Foulmouth Wang Hao?"
The monk stammered, "You mistake me for another."
Another cried, "And you—you're the gambling rogue He Wei!" The monk faltered again, "You mistake me for another." But the man sneered, "Do you remember losing money to me years ago? You even borrowed twenty taels you never repaid!" More voices joined in: "Chen Bo! Wang Yu! You tricked the simple folk of our town with your schemes of Western jade stones and riches, then fled after robbing us blind! So this is where you've been—hiding in robes, cheating still!"
The Judge of the Blade, Sun Tian, laughed coldly. "So, the Four Heads of Fahua Temple are indeed notorious. Shall we not first settle your old debts?"
In most temples, aside from the abbot, there are four principal overseers: the First Seat, the West Hall, the Rear Hall, and the Hall Lord. These four, now known by their dharma names Shi Xin, Shi Tian, Shi Fu, and Shi Hai, had thought their past forgotten when they donned the saffron robes. Never did they expect the Judges to bring a tribunal to Fahua Temple itself. Their angry protests only drew the attention of the martial crowd, which recognized them at once, exposing their long-buried crimes.
The four were furious yet swallowed their rage. For today, those seeking vengeance numbered more than just Wang Yun, and these four had left no shortage of enemies in their wake. To err unwittingly is a mistake; to err deliberately is evil.
Wang Yun gazed at the four men who had slaughtered his kin. Rage surged in him; his fists clenched, his body trembled, and memories of his parents' and family's deaths burned before his eyes. At last, the day of reckoning had come. Yet he did not strike immediately. He drew a deep breath, forcing his fury down, and turned to Wu Tong. "Master Wu, these villains are steeped in sin. Let this matter be tried by martial judgment, so that justice may be done for all under heaven!"
Wu Tong nodded, his eyes sweeping over the four heads. "Today's trial is not only for the Wang family, but to set a precedent for the martial world—to uphold justice in the realm!"