That day, Wu Tong and his companion set out for Huangshan Palace together with the Beggars' Sect. Upon arriving, they found the place teeming with people — a roaring sea of humanity, carriages clogging the roads and crowds surging like waves. Rows of Taoist priests from Huangshan Palace stood in solemn formation on either side of the entrance, where a toll booth had been set up. Each entrant was required to pay a single copper coin as an admission fee.
The famed Two Marvels of the Jianghu naturally served as the gate guardians of Huangshan Palace. At that moment, Wu Tong's party and the Beggars' Sect approached the toll booth. Liu Yun reached into her robe and produced a banknote.
"Honored seniors," she said with a smile, "this is a note worth two hundred taels of silver — consider it the entrance fee for the two of us and all the brothers of the Beggars' Sect."
White-Brow Daoist chuckled. "Since Madam Wu Tong shows such generosity, we can only thank you all on behalf of Huangshan Palace."
With a subtle glance of his eyes, the Taoist priests immediately stepped aside and allowed them through. Wu Tong and the Beggars' Sect strode grandly into the palace grounds.
Clouds were rising as the sun dipped low — a storm seemed ready to fill the wind.
At this moment, Huangshan Palace was packed to bursting. Whether wandering heroes of the martial world or influential local gentry, all had gathered here today for one reason: the long-awaited duel between the Palace Master of True God Palace, Tuoba Xingge, and the Nine Heavens Divine Lord, Long Zhentian. Both factions had already entered the arena earlier, and every corner was crammed with champions from every corner of the realm. It was truly a grand assembly.
The hour of Chen — the dragon hour of the third lunar month — had arrived, a season said to belong to roaming dragons and falling rains. Just as the second quarter of the hour began, the sudden clang of a gong rang out.
From the open ground at the center of the arena emerged three figures from the Life-and-Death Judges Guild of the martial world: the Chief Judge Cui Fujun, Judge's Brush Li Yan, and Judge's Blade Sun Tian.
Chief Judge Cui Fujun proclaimed loudly,
"We are Cui Fujun, Chief Judge of the Jianghu Life-and-Death Judges Guild, together with Judge's Brush Li Yan and Judge's Blade Sun Tian. Today we serve as arbiters for the duel between Palace Master Tuoba Xingge of True God Palace and Divine Lord Long Zhentian of Nine Heavens Palace. We now invite both combatants to step forward."
At his command, both sides stirred at once. Thunderous applause surged from the crowd like a rising tide.
Under the escort of the Two Dragon-Tiger Elders — Qin Wei and Wang Tao — the Four Great Envoys — Li Qi, Bai Mu, Wang Ben, and Zhao Li — as well as the Three Talents of Heaven, Earth, and Man, and the Three Luminaries of Sun, Moon, and Star, Tuoba Xingge strode forth from the True God Palace ranks.
Meanwhile, Long Zhentian of Nine Heavens Palace advanced slowly toward the arena, accompanied by the Yin-Yang Left and Right Envoys Li Han and Ling Yun, the two senior elders Lin Ping the Qilin Elder and Shen Er the Black Tortoise Elder, and the Four Elemental Envoys of Heaven, Earth, Wind, and Thunder — Zhou Da, Xu Er, Sun San, and Ma Si.
By now the arena's edge was already packed with spectators, heads packed shoulder to shoulder. Many craned their necks in eager anticipation of the coming clash. The atmosphere was as lively as a great festival.
On the dueling ground, beneath a clear sky and golden morning sun, the two men stood facing each other coldly.
Seeing heroes from across the realm assembled in full force, Chief Judge Cui Fujun raised his voice again.
"Gentlemen — the finest warriors under Heaven have gathered here today for your duel. Why have you agreed to meet again upon this stage? If there are old grudges between you, speak them now before all present, so that the heroes of the realm may judge what is right — and so that the brothers of the Jianghu may understand."
These were the chaotic times of the An Lushan Rebellion. Heroes rose everywhere, and the martial world was in turmoil. Each ambitious soul burned with desire — for under Heaven, all bustle for profit; under Heaven, all movement follows gain.
Long Zhentian stepped forward boldly and addressed the crowd.
"Today, heroes from across the realm gather here — Long Zhentian is deeply honored. One year ago, Palace Master Tuoba and I fought upon this very ground. His skill surpassed mine, and he struck me with a single palm. How could I let such humiliation go unanswered? For the past year I have trained day and night, hoping only to avenge that defeat!"
Tuoba Xingge burst into hearty laughter.
"The Nine Heavens Divine Lord has endured hardship and humiliation, training in secret — everyone in the Jianghu knows this. I even hear you sent men to the Tianshan Mountains to obtain the sacred Snow Lotus. You have come well prepared indeed."
Long Zhentian's voice turned icy.
"You used underhanded methods to win. That victory was unworthy."
Tuoba Xingge snorted coldly.
"Enough nonsense. You simply cannot accept defeat."
At once the gathered heroes erupted into heated debate. The plaza filled with clamor as supporters from both sides shouted over one another like crashing thunder.
Seeing that the two factions were already like drawn swords and taut bows, irreconcilable as fire and water, Chief Judge Cui Fujun immediately declared:
"As before, this duel shall be fought bare-handed. Let skill decide all grievances. Victory shall be judged when one side concedes defeat. If stubborn pride refuses surrender and one is slain, none may blame the other. Having stepped onto this stage, life and death lie in Heaven's hands."
After speaking, Cui Fujun nodded toward Li Yan and Sun Tian. The two judges returned the gesture, cupped their fists respectfully, and said in unison,
"Please begin."
They raised their right hands to indicate the combatants' starting positions.
The two men now radiated the might of dragon and tiger alike as they moved to their marks.
Once both stood ready, Cui Fujun proclaimed loudly,
"Begin the duel!"
Such were the rules of the Jianghu — the strong were kings. Victory settled rank; battle ended enmity.
Meeting again upon the dueling ground of Huangshan Palace, Long Zhentian suddenly sank into a horse stance. His palms traced sweeping arcs through the air. With a sharp push of his feet he sprang upward — his body light as a swallow in flight. In an instant he hurtled forward, palms striking with astonishing speed.
His attack flashed toward Tuoba Xingge's chest like a falling meteor.
Tuoba raised his palm to counter, calm and composed. After two rapid exchanges, he roared fiercely and advanced three steps. Suddenly his hand shot out in a claw strike aimed straight at the Baihui point atop Long Zhentian's head.
"Take this!" he shouted.
Long Zhentian flipped his wrist. His left palm withdrew while his right gathered explosive force, slicing through the air in a powerful arc. In a blur of offense and defense he neutralized the attack and instantly turned the tide.
Drawing in a deep breath, he soared upward again — palms and legs moving in perfect unison.
He lunged forward with overwhelming momentum.
This strike roared like crashing waves, fierce beyond compare, carrying the might of thunder itself as he unleashed a devastating palm blow.