After the four men finished their meal, they left the inn. The thin, small man in his fifties picked up his Judge's Brush and followed them out. Wu Tong and his companions likewise slipped outside and quietly trailed them.
Led by the white-bearded elder, the four men made their way into a secluded mountain valley. Wu Tong's group followed at a distance until they reached the same gorge. In the valley stood a small temple; by now, night had fallen.
A large fire burned in the open space before the temple—almost like a small altar.It turned out this was a secret gathering of the Fire-Worship Sect.Those assembled were loudly debating the conduct of the sect's Law King, Zhao Ke. Their arguments all circled around one point: An Lushan and his son, believers in the Fire-Worship faith, were said to be Heaven's chosen—embodiments of the "God of Light"—destined to establish the Great Yan. Yet Zhao Ke, as a Law King of the sect, supported the Tang court. His intentions, they claimed, were highly suspect.
At that moment, a man dressed in the robes of a Law King stepped forward from the crowd.He was a fellow townsman of An Lushan, known as Shi Ming.
"Ming argues," he declared, "that tomorrow, during the Sacred Fire Ceremony at the Holy Flame Hall, we should seize the opportunity to pressure the sect master—to compel him to rally all followers under the banner of the 'God of Light'!"
The so-called "God of Light" was none other than An Lushan, and after his death, An Qingxu had inherited the mantle.
But one of the congregants hesitated."Law King Zhao Ke's martial skill is formidable, and he has many friends in the Jianghu. I fear our strength alone may not suffice."
Shi Ming replied confidently,"Brothers, I have already recruited five top experts from the martial world. With them, we need not fear Zhao Ke obstructing sect affairs or persuading the sect master to support Tang!"
A wave of admiration swept through the crowd.
"Law King Shi! Brilliant beyond compare!""He alone is worthy to lead the entire Fire-Worship Sect!"
Similar flattery echoed through the mountain hollow.
Then a burly man rose to speak."Brothers, I am Bai Bing. Law King Shi Ming is unmatched in talent and martial prowess. He should be our sect master! And if the current sect master dares oppose the will of the brothers—Shi Ming should simply take his place!"
Shi Ming raised a hand."Brother Bai, let us not rush. Perhaps the sect master may yet choose to support our 'God of Light,' the rightful emperor of Great Yan."
Just then—
"Law King Shi Ming!"
Four shadows swept into the circle like falling stars.
Shi Ming brightened."'Black and White,' 'Twin-Blade Wanderer,' and 'Long-Brow Warrior'—you have finally arrived!"
The four were:
He Qian, the white-bearded elder, known in the Jianghu as "White Master";Xie Guo, the short dark man, known as "Black Master"—together, the pair were famed as "Black and White of Clear Judgment."The blue-clad warrior with twin sabers was Hu Mao, the "Twin-Blade Wanderer."The white-clad man with long brows and fierce bearing was Wu Sheng, called "Long-Brow Warrior."
White Master He Qian declared,"For Law King Shi Ming, we four are willing to go through blades and fire without hesitation."
Shi Ming was overjoyed."My thanks, brothers. Tomorrow, during the Sacred Fire Ceremony, we shall act as opportunity allows."
Suddenly, a lone figure flickered into view.
Shi Ming approached with a smile."I thought I would not be able to persuade Brother He… and yet you arrive fashionably late."
It was the thin, narrow-eyed man with the Judge's Brush—the sixty-year-old expert known as "Silver-Hook Judge" Qin He.
Qin He said coldly,"Shi Ming, you have gathered quite the company. Is there still a need for me?"
Shi Ming instantly cupped his fists."Brother He, you are one of the supreme masters of the Jianghu. Your Judge's Brush terrifies the martial world. With the Silver-Hook Judge at our side, how could we fear failure?"
Hearing this praise, Qin He felt much appeased. He returned the salute."Since Law King Shi Ming shows me such regard, I, Qin He, will spare no effort and lend my strength."
Shi Ming laughed heartily."Good! Heroes of the Jianghu, let us enter the temple and continue our discussion!"
Led by Shi Ming, the group headed into the Fire-Worship Sect's hall.
Wu Tong and his companions withdrew silently and returned to the inn.
Zhao Rou said, "Brother Tong, who would have expected that An Lushan and his son are revered as the 'God of Light' of the Fire-Worship Sect—and now they wish to seize the sect for their own cause!"
Wu Tong frowned, thinking deeply, then sighed."In my view, with the great war looming, both Tang and Yan factions naturally seek to bolster their momentum. Forming alliances is only to be expected. Zhao Ke may be our old acquaintance, but even without personal ties, we cannot allow An Qingxu to manipulate the Fire-Worship Sect to gather followers and deify himself. Tomorrow, we will go to the Holy Flame Hall and observe in secret. Do not alert them."
"If the internal strife of the sect is handled poorly and they end up supporting the Yan rebels," he added grimly, "it would bode extremely ill."
Ling Xian'er said, "Perhaps Law King Zhao has long been prepared. But with Shi Ming colluding with martial experts, he seems determined. If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, a bloody conflict is inevitable."
Wu Tong nodded."It seems certain that the two factions will clash tomorrow. We should rest early. We must not let villains succeed with their schemes. At dawn, we head to the Sacred Fire Hall to uncover the truth."