With several great leaps, the fiend Yuan Rong descended into the arena. The moment the onlookers caught sight of him, a chill ran through the ranks. He wore dark garments; his stature was towering, but more terrifying still was his face—ferocious, brutal, layered with thick flesh. As the old saying goes: "A man with fleshless cheeks cannot be trusted; one with thick jowls is surely fierce."Small wonder the martial world called him "Fiend-God Yuan Rong."
He had long heard that among the younger generation of the Nestorian Church, the monk Roben was renowned as its foremost martial genius—one who, on the day he faced Shaolin's elder monks, Masters Yuanguang and Yuantong, fought them to a standstill and shook the entire wulin. Now Yuan Rong bared his teeth and growled:
"Word is the Nestorian Church produced an unmatched prodigy these past years. Last year the Lama Sect challenged you to a duel—yet your Church utterly crushed them!"
At this, the Two Southern Freaks of Jiangnan—Zhu Feng and Zhou Jie—stepped forward from behind Shi Ming. Zhu Feng said:
"This monk is indeed the one who sent the Lama Sect's Marpa flying with a single palm strike, and who battled the Tibetan national preceptor, Master Geleba!"
Zhou Jie added, "Do not underestimate Nestorian monks."
Roben clasped his hands respectfully."Roben of the Nestorian Church, Dharma-name Jingkong, humbly greets the two seniors."
Yuan Rong only snorted."You ignorant brat! Law King Shi Ming is here today to bestow enlightenment. Instead of kneeling to receive instruction, you dare to challenge him? If I do not humble you properly, I would not deserve the name Fiend-God!"
With a sudden rise of wind, his figure shot forward like lightning. Roben sidestepped without hesitation and sent out a palm strike at once. Yuan Rong had not expected such speed. Their palms collided with a thunderous crack.
Yuan Rong grunted and staggered back three or four steps."Not bad, little monk! You've got some skill."
But Roben bowed courteously."Thank you for the instruction, Senior."
These words—humble and sincere—only inflamed Yuan Rong's fury.
"You little wretch! Come here and die!"His roar crashed like thunder, sending tremors through the hearts of the Nestorian followers. Many began to worry for Roben.
Roben looked bewildered."Has this humble monk offended you, Senior? Why must you seek my life?"
That single palm exchange had humiliated Yuan Rong. I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice, he thought angrily. Rage swallowed all reason.
"Enough of your babbling! If I don't teach you a proper lesson today, how shall I vent my hatred?!"
He lunged forward, palm descending toward Roben's skull with ruthless force. Roben slid aside and answered with a swift counter: "From Whence Comes the Guest?"—a technique both fast and precise. Yuan Rong missed his first strike and immediately followed with a second, even faster and fiercer.
"Let me beat some sense into you!" he snarled.
Roben parried while chanting calmly:
"The heavens above hold us in awe,The earth below remembers universal peace.The true nature of humankind relies upon harmony,And the Threefold Father, the Holy One, protects all…"
Yuan Rong grew even more enraged."Stop chanting! Your damned sutras make my skin crawl!"
Yet neither man stopped exchanging blows—hands, feet, and bodies moved relentlessly while their voices clashed in midair.
Roben said,"Senior's karmic afflictions are heavy. Allow this humble monk to chant more for your purification:The heavens above hold us in awe…"
Yuan Rong's temper exploded. After more than thirty rounds, his anger reached its peak. He pressed the attack ruthlessly.
Roben, however, remained composed. His wrist dipped, his body spun, stabilizing the rhythm. Then he answered with another technique—"A Guest Must Be Welcomed"—a move that advanced through retreat.
Their battle grew increasingly intense. Each exchange made the onlookers gasp.
Yuan Rong growled,"What use is chanting? Don't blame me for striking mercilessly!"
Roben centered his breath in the dantian and replied,"If one chants with sincerity, the gods themselves come to one's aid!"
No sooner had he spoken than Yuan Rong unleashed a pair of powerful palm strikes—his killing move. Roben retreated half a step and used "Heart Empty, Way Empty." Their chests passed dangerously close in a flurry of movement. Roben launched two consecutive palm strikes—swift beyond imagination.
Yuan Rong suddenly found himself unable to counter. Panic flickered across his face. His body slipped sideways in desperation, but too late—Roben's palm landed squarely on his chest with a resounding crack.
Yuan Rong reeled backward like a drunk, staggering and unsteady. Gasps erupted from the crowd.
Roben did not pursue. He stopped instantly, hands withdrawn, and bowed:
"This humble monk begs forgiveness for the offense."
Then he traced a cross over his own chest in blessing.
The outcome was clear. The surrounding Nestorian followers erupted in thunderous applause. Roben smiled modestly, clasped his fists, and bowed to all.
Patriarch Luo Ke, witnessing Roben's prowess, beamed with pride."Brethren, I have always taught that earnest chanting brings both blessing and wisdom. Young Roben trains diligently in martial arts, yet never neglects his devotion—hence today's achievement."
At that moment, robes fluttered as the Two Southern Freaks descended into the arena.Shi Ming, standing outside, was secretly distressed. To lose the first bout so miserably—how can I disrupt this assembly now?
Feigning righteousness, he shouted,"Though young, this monk's strikes are vicious—how can he be so ruthless?!"
Inside, Shi Ming was deeply troubled. Yuan Rong, regaining his breath but full of resentment, snarled:
"Enough talk! The three of us will kill him together!"
Zhao Ke Law King barked,"Shi Ming! Do not slander the Nestorian monks. They act openly and honorably!"
Zhu Feng and Zhou Jie added,"If the boy refuses to respect his elders, then we three owe the martial world no apology. Let us fight him together and see what he truly can do!"
Such behavior hardly befitted heroes of the wulin; it lowered their own status.Aruos Law King knew this well. Yet he only laughed aloud and proclaimed:
"Since the three of you ignore seniority and propriety, Roben—there is no need for restraint. Opportunities like this are rare.Prove your martial arts without holding back!"