At that moment, Law King Jiade said coldly:
"The reputation of our Nestorian Church was earned through hardship and devotion.We will not allow you to smear it with idle slander.If you seek a contest—then I shall face you myself."
Before his words had fully settled, his figure drifted lightly into the arena.
Jiade Law King cherished the Church's hard-won prestige. The Nestorian foundation of today had been built upon centuries of careful planning—especially the construction of the Great Qin Monastery beneath Mount Song. By decree, all monks of the Church were required to study here before traveling to preach the faith. They spent years reading scripture, cultivating inner skill, and training martial arts—two years at the least, ten at the most. Only upon reaching the age of twenty could they depart to spread the teachings.
Thus, when Shi Ming attempted to tarnish the Church's reputation, Jiade's anger ignited; he volunteered to step forward.
Shi Ming, recognizing Jiade's skill and authority, felt a flicker of apprehension. His mind raced.
"So even Law King Jiade is entering the field…Well then, let us not compare fists or palms again.This time, let us match blades."
He turned and shouted:"'Twin-Blade Wanderer' Hu Mao—take the field."
A burly figure answered and stepped out from the crowd.This was Hu Mao, famed throughout the martial world for his unparalleled double-blade technique. Though he had taken a cut to the arm during his fight with Wu Tong earlier that year, it was but a flesh wound. His skill with blades remained unimpaired.
Hu Mao strode forward, raising his voice:
"The twin-blade art, long lost yet still unmatched;A craft so refined, even heroes bow.Four horizontal, five vertical—the blades rejoice;I stand astride the battlefield—the Twin-Blade Wanderer!"
The Nestorian followers felt a shiver. The man's verse made clear—he possessed supreme confidence in his art.
Hu Mao continued, tone shifting:
"I have long heard of your Church's famed 'Cross Sword Method.'Yet I have never had the chance to witness it.Why not let us each display what we have learnedand test our skills today?"
Jiade Law King replied:
"Very well. Jingjing—bring the Sacred Cross Sword."
A young monk soon approached, holding a gleaming blade. Unlike ordinary swords, its hilt formed a perfect cross.
He presented it with reverence."Master, the Cross Sword."
Jiade took the sword and stepped calmly forward. His left hand formed a sword-seal; with a soft ring, the blade slid free of its scabbard.A cross-shaped gleam flashed through the air.
He said loudly:
"It is said your twin-blade technique reigns supreme under Heaven.Meeting you today is an honor.Please—make your move."
Hu Mao drew his twin blades in one fluid sweep, spinning them into twin arcs of silver light.
"Forgive my offense!"
And with that, he lunged.A storm of blade-light burst forth, violent and overwhelming.
The Duel Begins
Hu Mao opened with "Twin Blades Pierce the Heavens," his blades surging straight for Jiade's face. The attack flowed like drifting clouds—elegant yet deadly—each edge aimed at a vital point, each movement seamlessly chained.
The onlookers gasped. Even experienced fighters felt a sting of fear.
Jiade answered calmly:"A fine blade technique."He lifted his sword, channeling force through it. His step light, his wrist supple, he drew a swift diagonal cut.
Their weapons collided—lightning-fast.
Hu Mao's blades whirled left and right; Jiade blocked in a bow-stance, twisted his wrist, and thrust toward Hu Mao's rib. Hu Mao spun both blades to intercept. Jiade stepped aside, circling, sending out three straight thrusts in one breath.
Their footwork and weapon-play were intoxicating—rare marvels of the martial arts. The crowd erupted with cheers.
Hu Mao's dual blades grew fiercer—cutting, slicing, chopping, thrusting.Yin and Yang Blades.One soft, one hard.One closing, one opening.Together they surged like a storm-tide.
His attacks were brutal and unstoppable.
Jiade's Cross Sword, however, remained calm.Plain.Unadorned.Left block, right cut; parry, thrust, tap, slice; probe, deflect, strike.
He fought steadily, analyzing every flaw, seeking the key to breaking the twin blades.
Steel clashed against steel without pause.
Hu Mao unleashed "Subdue Tiger, Vanquish Dragon," then immediately "Invite Trouble at the Door."
Jiade countered with "Life Opens, Death Ends" and "The Heart Turns Toward Heaven."
A hundred exchanges passed in a blur.
Then Jiade recited loudly:
"Focus the spirit in the dantian to wield the sacred sword;Let intent lead foot and blade.Guard like steel, strike in innocence;And let your qi pierce the heavens and shake the mountains."
Most martial artists in the crowd blinked in confusion.
But the Nestorian monks lit up with delight—this was the Grand Formula of the Cross Sword, the essence of its entire Scripture.
The duel intensified.Their figures flickered like shadows.Neither yielded an inch; their strikes locked onto the other's vital points with terrifying precision.
Hu Mao landed from a leap and instantly slashed twice—two streaks of cold steel cutting through the air toward Jiade's abdomen and chest.
Jiade sidestepped, raised the Cross Sword, intercepted both blades, spun the sword, shifted his footwork, and counter-attacked with three strikes in one step, six in the next, pressing relentlessly.Hu Mao was forced to retreat repeatedly, twisting and turning, but could not shake off the entangling sword technique.
Another low hum of sword-qi approached—Hu Mao's heart clenched.He raised both blades to guard his entire body.
Jiade knew the moment had come.He struck without reservation.
He unleashed "Three Forms Become One."Sword-light burst forth—radiant as a rainbow.
A sphere of blazing sword-qi enveloped Hu Mao.
Jiade's sword moved faster and faster, the blade weaving a net as vast as rolling clouds, surging like storm-driven waves.
This was the pinnacle of the Cross Sword Method.
Hu Mao's twin blades—formidable though they were—could not withstand the storm. His defense collapsed. Panic seized him.
Jiade spun the sword in a rapid circle.A ringing clang—Hu Mao's twin blades flew from his hands.
In that moment, Jiade's sword halted cleanly at Hu Mao's throat…