At that moment, the northern wind began to blow, sweeping through the Sacred Flame Hall as a fierce battle erupted.
"Black Piece" Xie Guo flew into the fray. In the blink of an eye, Wu Tong drew his sword and immediately launched the Thirteen Strikes of Lingxiao. With a sudden move, he used the technique "Strike Where Least Expected"—a dazzling series of clanging blows followed. His long sword shimmered as it danced through the air, each thrust incredibly swift, each withdrawal clean and sharp.
Suddenly, a sword shot out like a spirit snake, aimed straight at Xie Guo's chest. The precision was uncanny—almost supernatural. Xie Guo was horrified, dodging rapidly, but he still couldn't fully escape. Forced into a desperate leap backward, he broke into a cold sweat—his confidence shattered.
Fighting alone without backup, Xie Guo had already suffered losses in just a few moves. Frowning deeply, he growled:
"What are you waiting for?! Attack together!"
"White Piece" He Qian sneered:
"You wanted to play the hero. Be a good man and take it!"
Hu Mao, the Twin Blade Assassin, said:
"I'll go first—follow up right after! Don't give him a chance to breathe!"
The other four nodded. Steel flashed—five broadswords drawn. Tension filled the air.
Wu Tong shifted into a Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams stance, understanding well that this would be a decisive moment.
Suddenly, a blade came slashing straight at him.
He dared not be careless—his precious sword flashed out, its arc like a storm of wind and thunder. Cold light whirled as the blade stirred a cutting wind. Clang! Clang! sounded throughout the hall.
Hu Mao had barely begun his assault before he was forced back by Wu Tong's furious counter—several sword thrusts nearly pierced his chest.
Xie Guo stepped in with another heavy strike, but Wu Tong twisted his wrist, unleashed several rapid blows, and pushed him back again.
Then He Qian rushed in with his long broadsword, stabbing fiercely—blade shadows swirled like a blizzard. Surrounded by flashing steel and shadow, Wu Tong was encircled by the three of them.
Meanwhile, "Silver-Hook Judge" Qin He and "Long-Browed Eyes" Wu Sheng, still smarting from earlier defeat, now sought revenge. Blades in hand, they maneuvered into position, looking for any opening to land a decisive blow.
As five men closed in around him, Wu Tong parried and countered without pause. True energy flowed steadily within him. With his sword in his right hand and fingers of his left forming a sword gesture, he said coldly:
"Gentlemen, you'd better watch yourselves."
He inhaled deeply, gathering energy into his dantian. Letting out a long, resonant roar, he shook his sword—and in the blink of an eye, man and sword became one.
The sword arced like a silver dragon in flight, piercing through the air. A brilliant streak of silver light exploded forward.
Wu Tong leapt into the air, twisting and diving with the sword, striking like a falling meteor. Cold air swept through the hall. Sword light shot out like venomous green serpents, deadly and fast as lightning.
The five men shuddered. In haste, they raised their blades to block—but the sword was too fast. Screams rang out, and blood splattered.
Xie Guo was stabbed in the thigh. Hu Mao, flustered, struck down with both sabers. Wu Tong darted left and right, deflecting the blades with clangs, then stabbed Hu Mao in the left arm.
Qin He and Wu Sheng lunged with their broadswords. Wu Tong's feet pushed off the ground—he soared into the air, and with a sudden dive, he descended like a hawk. His sword spun, releasing dozens of streaking sword shadows.
Overwhelmed, Qin He tried to parry, but couldn't retreat in time. A sword pierced his thigh, blood pouring down his leg.
Wu Sheng swung wildly, but failed to touch Wu Tong. Instead, Wu Tong's sword lashed out like snow—blindingly fast, piercing Wu Sheng's back. Wu Sheng cried out in agony as blood soaked his robes.
He Qian tried to rescue him, but Wu Tong was already moving. With eyes like lightning, he closed in, sword flashing—He Qian could barely keep up. His shoulder was struck, and in pain, he retreated, attempting a backwards somersault to escape.
But Wu Tong was relentless.
He Qian's face turned pale—he now knew they were facing a true master. He shouted:
"Retreat! Everyone retreat!"
The others echoed in fear:
"Retreat!"
The five men fled in terror, leaping and sprinting away like hunted animals.
From the side, Ling Xian'er asked:
"Brother Tong, aren't you going to chase them?"
Wu Tong replied calmly:
"The Art of War says: Do not block a returning army. Do not chase a cornered foe."
And so, he let them go.
Meanwhile, Zhao Rou, burning with righteous anger, instinctively searched for the true traitor—Dharma King Shi Ming. But he had long vanished. Knowing the situation had turned, he had quietly slipped away during the chaos.
The Baihuo Cult followers erupted in thunderous applause. Shouts and cheers filled the hall.
Blood stained the floor of the Sacred Flame Hall—evidence of the vicious battle that had just occurred.
Then, Cult Master Li Ning, flanked by his Dharma Kings, stepped forward and bowed:
"Thank you, young hero, for saving us. May I ask your name?"
Wu Tong returned the salute:
"No need for formalities. I am an old acquaintance of Dharma King Zhao Ke."
Zhao Ke furrowed his brow:
"Forgive my poor memory... May I ask your name?"
Wu Tong smiled:
"Dharma King Zhao, look a bit closer!"
Zhao Ke squinted—and then his eyes lit up:
"Ah! So it's you—Wu Tong, Hall Master of Loyalty Hall!"
Dharma King Li Rui added:
"Why are you dressed as a scholar, Hall Master Wu?"
Cult Master Li Ning was stunned:
"So it's the famed Wu Tong of Loyalty Hall! Truly, the heavens bless our cult!"
Wu Tong replied:
"It's a long story. For now, it's best to stabilize your sect."
Li Ning nodded:
"Hall Master Wu speaks the truth. Our Baihuo Cult has built a legacy in the Central Plains over a hundred years. Yet Dharma King Shi Ming, blinded by greed, nearly destroyed our name and honor."
Zhao Ke added:
"Cult Master, Dharma Kings—Hall Master Wu must have urgent matters to discuss. Let us go inside to talk."
The night wind was cold. Everyone entered the inner hall.
Once inside, after the formalities, Wu Tong analyzed the current state of the realm. With righteous indignation, he denounced An Lushan for his treachery—raising a rebellion, displacing the people, and seeking the throne for selfish gain. He spared no words condemning An's shamelessness and betrayal.
Wu Tong declared that An Lushan had now proclaimed himself emperor of the "Great Yan", indulging in wine and lust, abandoning state affairs. This decadence had corrupted the land, encouraging others to imitate him.
Even within the Baihuo Cult, Dharma Kings like Shi Ming had followed his example—betraying their own. Wu Tong's words resonated, and all Dharma Kings and the Cult Master nodded in agreement.
Then Wu Tong spoke with passion, praising the Tang Emperor, who, after bitter reflection, had issued an edict commanding Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi to lead the counteroffensive, summoning loyal forces from across the realm to suppress the rebellion.
"In these trying times, all righteous people must come together to defend the Tang dynasty," Wu Tong said.
His words stirred the hearts of all present.
The Baihuo Cult Master and Dharma Kings, blood still boiling with righteous fervor, vowed to support the Tang army when the time came to reclaim Chang'an.