At that moment, the Nestorian faithful were already cheering thunderously.Twin-Blade Wanderer Hu Mao, having been defeated, felt a chill when he saw the sword tip pointed at his throat.
Just then, Jiade Law King's sword withdrew in a flash, sheathing itself with astonishing speed. Jiade said calmly:
"Today's contest is but a friendly match of arms—let harmony prevail."
Hu Mao could only retreat in frustration and shame.
As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy; then move against them."Seeing that the advantage clearly lay with his own side, Aruos Law King relaxed considerably and said with open mockery:
"Shi Ming, our Church has treated you with courtesy, yet you insist on provoking trouble. You have now lost two bouts in a row and gained nothing for your troubles. Truly discourteous of us—to let you come all this way for nothing."
Shi Ming, however, seemed to be waiting for reinforcements, his mind working behind a calm smile. He laughed loudly:
"No need to rush. Your Church's fame is well deserved—surely you do not fear heroes under Heaven coming to seek instruction? Now that we are all here, why not learn a bit more of your exalted arts, so this trip will not be in vain?"
His intentions were inscrutable; he hid daggers behind a fan of pleasantries. Aruos Law King had no idea what scheme he was hatching, but answered boldly:
"Soldiers come and we send generals; floods rise and we raise earthworks. Our Church does not know fear."
Shi Ming smiled:
"Very well. I have long heard that Aruos Law King's palm techniques are unmatched in the Church, and that your martial skill stands peerless among your brethren.Since Law King Jiade has already displayed his sword, if Aruos Law King would now demonstrate his art before the heroes of the realm, we would truly feast our eyes.Only then could we say this visit was worthwhile.What say you, Law King?"
Aruos, wary that Shi Ming might be plotting something deeper, replied:
"Very well. But once you have had your fill of 'instruction,' if there is nothing further, you would do well to depart at once. We still have pressing matters and cannot entertain you at length.Since you insist on a contest—whom will you send?"
Shi Ming chuckled:
"Aruos Law King's skill is profound. If we sent only one man against you, it would seem we belittled you in front of all under Heaven.Old Immortal Mo, Iron-Palm Ruffian, Yin-Yang Hands—it is your turn."
Three figures dropped into the arena. The crowd stiffened. These three were all formidable figures of the martial world. Even Aruos, facing one against three, might not be their match.
Just then, three more figures descended.It was Wu Tong and his two companions, now back in their original garb.
Shi Ming stared. They looked extremely familiar.
"Who are you three, and why have you come?"
Zhao Rou stepped forward with deliberate leisure and declared loudly:
"Listen well.A man whose words reach Heaven, versed in letters and rites,One who does not change his surname when seated, nor his name when he walks—this is Wu Tong, Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness!When darkness falls, he becomes a herald of light."
The crowd buzzed at once.
Wu Tong… Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness…
Those who did not know his name quickly learned it from those who did.
Shi Ming focused his gaze—Was this not the very fellow who had ruined his plans that night?
He snarled:
"You again! Come to ruin my affairs once more!We'll settle our score later—now step aside!"
Wu Tong instead bowed toward Aruos Law King:
"Law King Aruos, this man has disrupted your assembly time and again.Your Church has shown forbearance, yet he presses harder at every step, stirring up trouble without end.This cannot be tolerated.Since you are here to hold the line, allow me to fight in your stead."
Shi Ming barked:
"You brat—don't think that just because your martial arts are strong you can do as you please.Old Immortal Mo, Iron-Palm Ruffian, Yin-Yang Hands—attack!"
The three acknowledged and stepped out.
Wu Tong said coldly:
"Seniors, it's been a long time.At your age, why not retire to the mountains?"
Old Immortal Mo, Iron-Palm Ruffian Elder Chuanbei, and Yin-Yang Hands Uncle Anpu were all old acquaintances of Wu Tong.Enemies meeting again—their eyes burned red.
Yin-Yang Hands Anpu snorted:
"Wu Tong, to fall into my hands today will not be like last time!"
Wu Tong taunted:
"The three of you are already advanced in years—are you not afraid of capsizing in the gutter?"
Old Immortal Mo said in a low, sinister voice:
"Shi Ming Law King, the hottest name in the Jianghu these days is this boy, I'd wager."
Iron-Palm Ruffian Chuanbei scoffed:
"Wu Tong? Hmph! In my eyes he's nothing but bluster."
Shi Ming shouted:
"Enough talk—attack!"
Yin-Yang Hands Uncle Anpu suddenly leaped forward:
"Take my palm!"
Before the words even faded, he flipped in midair, body rolling once in the sky, then dropped down with a palm aimed straight at Wu Tong's crown. The palm force was savage beyond measure.
The onlookers were caught off guard by the sudden assault.
Wu Tong's steps shifted rapidly beneath him; he turned and slipped aside. Anpu's first strike hit empty air, but his second palm followed immediately. Wu Tong raised a hand to block.
Anpu's right palm then drove for Wu Tong's chest. Wu Tong gathered his strength and struck out with his own.
Bang!
Two waves of palm-force collided.
Yin-Yang Hands Anpu was knocked backward, flying through the air before landing and staggering several more steps.
Iron-Palm Ruffian Chuanbei shouted:
"The Iron-Palm Ruffian is here—do not be so arrogant!"
He gathered his strength, twisted his waist, and launched a mighty iron palm strike. A ferocious blast of force roared toward Wu Tong.
Seeing this, Wu Tong suddenly used "Shifting Stars, Exchanging Positions."His body turned and flowed away like water, his movement unpredictable. The finesse of his evasion drew gasps of admiration.
Old Immortal Mo's thoughts flashed. He shot in and shouted:
"Let's trap him with the formation!"
Yin-Yang Hands replied:
"Three Talents Formation!"
The Three Talents are Heaven, Earth, and Man.The Heavenly Stems represent the Way of Heaven;the Earthly Branches represent the Way of the Earth;the hidden stems represent the Way of Man.
Destiny is formed from the interplay of these three.Man can learn from Heaven and Earth;the Way of Man can commune with the Way of Heaven and the Way of Earth.By modeling oneself on Heaven to correct the self,respecting time and position,knowing what is constant and understanding change,one can open things, accomplish tasks, build merit, change fate,and thus fulfill the great doctrine of the Way of the Three Talents.
Laozi's idea that "the Three give birth to all things" is in essence the notion that the Three Talents give rise to all creation.
The Appended Phrases of the Book of Changes says:
"Thus is established the Way of Heaven, called Yin and Yang;established the Way of Earth, called Soft and Hard;established the Way of Man, called Benevolence and Righteousness.Combining the Three Talents and doubling them,therefore the Changes are formed with six lines to make a hexagram."
The three men were each formidable figures of the martial world.Now, with their formation unfurled, they shifted between two attacking and one defending, then one attacking and two defending, their coordination flawless. Attackers focused solely on offense, defenders solely on defense, without the need to divide attention.
At times they advanced in attack while the defender retreated;at times all pressed forward together.
Wu Tong had barely stabilized his footing when he found himself momentarily at a loss, surrounded with no clear way out.
All four moved ceaselessly—attack and defense interwoven, each with his own calculations.
The trio had originally prepared this formation to deal with Aruos Law King.Who could have foreseen Wu Tong's sudden appearance, throwing their plans into disarray? Forced by circumstance, they resolved to use the same array to trap him instead.
Their thought was simple:this formation favored defense over offense,strong in holding, weaker in killing.
Even if Wu Tong's skill were unmatched,they could hold him for a day and a night without deciding victory,leaving him unable to break the formation at all.