Bai Bing sent a sudden gust of palm force sweeping toward Law King Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu felt a jolt of alarm—Bai Bing clearly possessed formidable skill. In barely ten exchanged moves, Bai Bing's attacks came sharp, vicious, and relentless. Zhou Yu narrowly escaped danger several times.
He mis-stepped while deflecting a strike and immediately countered with a palm. Their internal energies collided with a thunderous BOOM. Zhou Yu staggered back. Bai Bing lunged with another palm; Zhou Yu failed to evade in time—CRACK—and took a heavy blow to the left chest.
Seeing this, Law King Chu Ping knew the situation had turned dire. Rank and decorum no longer mattered. He launched a palm strike to intervene. Bai Bing was forced to twist aside and counter—palm meeting palm. In an instant, the three were trading blows in a wild tangle of fists and legs.
Bai Bing sneered, "Since you two insist on becoming Tang hounds, then Bai Bing will gladly give his life to accompany you!"
The three fighters unleashed their full strength. After five or six blistering exchanges, Bai Bing suddenly darted forward with astonishing speed. His palms shot out—PA! PA! The two Law Kings staggered backward, footing broken, and toppled to the ground.
Bai Bing scoffed, "So the famed Law Kings are nothing more than this."
But before he finished—
A powerful force surged forward, a silhouette descending like a hawk.
A thunderous voice roared from among the Fire-Worship disciples:
"Bai Bing! How dare you show disrespect to two Law Kings!"
It was Law King Zhao Ke.
Zhao Ke's figure spun as he inhaled deeply. Energy surged through his arms as he struck with lightning speed. Bai Bing, fearless, gathered his internal power and countered with a fierce shout. Their palms met in the air—shadows weaving, power crackling.
Then Zhao Ke's palms began to roar like wind and fire. His steps were precise, angles uncanny, his fists and kicks unbelievably swift. He abruptly closed the distance—attacking so fast Bai Bing could barely defend.
The onlooking disciples were stunned. Someone shouted:
"The Flame Palm!"
This legendary technique was the Fire-Worship Sect's supreme martial art.
Zhao Ke unleashed "Fanned Flames," palm winds crackling like sparks blown into fire. He stepped in fiercely, arms shooting forward without hesitation. The duel exploded like water and fire clashing.
Then—"Thunderous Blaze!"Zhao Ke's second technique burst forth. A wave of scorching heat struck out in an instant.
Bai Bing couldn't block in time.BOOM—like thunder!
He flew backward, spraying blood. His limbs gave way and he collapsed, unable to rise.
At that moment, Law King Shi Ming clapped his hands and laughed.
"Magnificent, Zhao Ke! Splendid skill!But the future of the Fire-Worship Sect will no longer rest in your hands—or the Sect Master's."
His voice hardened.
"Since the time has come—Black and White, Twin-Blade Wanderer, Long-Brow Warrior, Silver-Hook Judge… step forth!"
The sound of fluttering robes filled the air. Five figures drifted before the Hall of Blazing Flames.
Zhao Ke understood instantly—Shi Ming had colluded with outside masters to oppress the loyal disciples and force the sect to support the Yan regime. He had long planned to seize control of the Fire-Worship Sect.
Zhao Ke said coldly, "Shi Ming, this is an internal matter of the sect. Why bring outsiders into it?Since you and I are deadlocked over supporting Tang or Yan… let us settle it with a duel!"
Shi Ming's face reddened, then twisted into a sly grin.
"Zhao Ke, you hide your strength well. Your Flame Palm is famed throughout the Jianghu. Last year when the Lama warriors attacked our sanctuary, even the Tibetan champion Zongzan fell before you.
I, Shi Ming, would not dare embarrass myself against you alone.So I have invited a few brothers of the Jianghu—do enlighten them, won't you?"
The white-bearded elder He Qian—the "White Master"—spoke:
"Zhao Ke, with words no longer able to settle this dispute, we follow Jianghu custom—let skill determine justice."
The short, dark man Xie Guo, the "Black Master," bellowed:
"Don't say we're bullying you. We'll fight fair—one on one!"
Then the white-clad, long-browed man stepped forward—Wu Sheng, the "Long-Brow Warrior."
"I am Wu Sheng," he said in a mocking, taunting tone. "Allow me to enjoy a little exchange with you, Law King Zhao."
Zhao Ke's martial skill was extraordinary—but these men were all top-tier masters, unmatched in the Jianghu. Fortunately, they prided themselves too much to strike together. Still—four fists cannot beat ten, and even a hero cannot triumph against numbers forever.
Zhao Ke stood steady as a mountain. Though danger loomed, he felt no panic.For the sect… for the faith… if not me, then who?
A man of iron bones could not bow to villains.
Just as he prepared to answer the challenge—
A shout rang out:
"Law King Zhao, let me take the field!"
The newcomer was none other than Law King Li Rui of the Manichean Sect, Zhao Ke's sworn brother in life and death.
The two exchanged a glance—smiles passed between them, hearts in perfect accord.
And just then, like lines of heroic verse:
Within the sect the turmoil rises,The foes arrive with swagger high.We stand upright with fearless pride—For sworn-bound brothers never die.