Wu Tong and his party asked along the way for the whereabouts of the Flying Eagle Gang. Not long after, they arrived outside its main compound — only to find the place in an uproar. Though still outside the gate, they could already hear loud shouts from within, followed by the sharp whistle of palm force cleaving the air — clearly, masters were crossing hands.
Wu Tong frowned slightly, eyes narrowing. "The Flying Eagle Gang is usually steady and restrained. With such commotion today… could this have something to do with my Zhongyi Hall?"
Just then a harsh voice rang out:
"Our Flying Sand Gang's chief came to propose marriage yesterday, and your chief of the Flying Eagle Gang turned his nose up at us — saying his daughter's marriage has already been entrusted to the Madam of Zhongyi Hall's Master to find a worthy young hero. So this marriage is refused — I've come today to reason this out!"
The speaker was Wei Fu — neither tall nor short, neither fat nor thin — a man with a square face, about forty-odd, deputy chief of the Flying Sand Gang.
The Flying Eagle Gang's deputy chief Qiu Biao's face sank. "Deputy Chief Wei, matters of marriage must wait for the right match — one must not force another!"
The Flying Sand Gang's chief Liu Tong, sly and ruthless, had failed in his proposal the day before and was greatly displeased. He had purposely urged Wei Fu to come stir trouble for the sake of venting his spite. The Flying Eagle Gang, faced with the proposal yesterday, could not bluntly refuse. What was more, Liu Tong's son Liu Yan was notorious as a foppish wastrel, idle and useless, certain to accomplish nothing in life. Remembering they had asked the Madam of Zhongyi Hall to look for a worthy suitor before, they cited that excuse to decline politely. But Liu Tong took it as a slick evasion and, growing angrier upon return, sent Wei Fu today to provoke them.
Disciples in the courtyard tensed. New recruits were already holding their breath, not daring to speak. Several elders stood by the hall with furrowed brows, anger building in their eyes. The air was taut as a drawn bowstring. Even the wandering onlookers whispered under breath: "The Flying Sand and Flying Eagle won't part peacefully today."
Wei Fu sneered. "I hear you Flying Eagles recently took on the guard contract for Ruiguang Temple, rose to fame like a sparrow turning phoenix, and now curry favor with Zhongyi Hall — and deem our Flying Sand Gang beneath you!"
Deputy Chief Qiu Biao, seasoned and composed, knew full well why Wei Fu came. "Deputy Chief Wei, if there is any slight from us toward your gang, we ask tolerance."
But Wei Fu came to pick a fight. "I hear Deputy Chief Qiu's skills are formidable — I shall seek instruction!" He gave a sudden shout and soared forth, launching a palm at Qiu Biao's chest.
Qiu Biao — no minor figure — shifted his step, braced, and met the strike head-on. Though sudden, he did not yield. With a short bark, he declared, "Qiu of the Flying Eagles has no choice but to offend!"
Wei Fu's internal force was fierce. He leapt, and mid-air unleashed a "Mount Tai Pressing the Crown" before landing and striking again — the power behind it heavy as a thousand jins. Qiu Biao dared not receive it head-on. He withdrew and shifted aside, countering with a pair of sweeping palms. Wei Fu closed the distance and answered with two palms of his own.
Waves of force roared through the courtyard. Where palms met, dust surged and fine cracks split the stone beneath their feet. Onlookers felt their chests tightened as though the very air had grown heavy. This was no exchange of courtesy — this was a clash of honor between two great houses.
They traded at high speed — more than twenty moves in the blink of an eye. One fought not for himself but for the honor of his sect. Wei Fu used a brutal Iron-Sand Palm, pure force and savagery; Qiu Biao wielded Eagle Claw skill — deadly in its own right. The fight was at its height when suddenly a voice like thunder boomed:
"Enough, both of you!"
The two fighters started and leapt apart. The newcomer was none other than Wu Tong.
Wu Tong strode in, eyes like lightning, and said in a sonorous voice, "The two of you are heroes of the martial world — why wound harmony over trifles? Better to sit and speak and dissolve this grievance."
Qiu Biao, relieved, announced, "Deputy Chief Wei — this is the renowned Wu Tong of Zhongyi Hall!"
Unexpectedly, Wei Fu laughed coldly. "Long have I heard the name but never met the man. Now that we meet — allow me to seek instruction!"
Before the last word fell, he sprang — two palms blasting toward Wu Tong. But before the force reached Wu Tong, a shadow flashed in from the side. Wei Fu turned and blocked just in time. On contact he was hurled back several steps, face changing at the shock.
A cold voice followed: "You? Fit to 'test' Master Wu Tong?"
All saw the attacker was a young escort-guard — Wang Yun of the Capital Escort Bureau.
Wei Fu barked, "Who are you! Striking unannounced — is that the act of a hero?"
Wang Yun answered clearly, "Junior Wang Yun. Deputy Chief Wei said he came to 'test,' yet struck when Master Wu had barely set foot. Was that not a sneak attack first?"
Liu Yun stepped forward. "Young Wang acted out of justice — how is that a sneak attack? If you are unconvinced, then by the rules of the Jianghu, fight again — one against one!"
Wei Fu knew his strike on Wu Tong had been an opportunistic one. With so many eyes upon him, he could not afford disgrace. "Young Wang — we shall start anew. Do not say I relied on age and seniority."
Wang Yun bowed. "Since senior insists on bestowing instruction, I dare not refuse."
Wei Fu bristled. "This boy is arrogant to this degree! He courts death." He gathered internal force and said, "You don't know your own weight — allow me to measure it!"
Before the sentence ended he lunged like a tiger, palms slashing down in three successive strikes in a blink — head, chest, abdomen — every blow lethal, the palm-wind lashing like steel whips.