The two men, both masters of their respective arts, attacked and defended in seamless rhythm. Their duel was tight and furious—the blows cracked like thunder, echoing across the plaza. Spectators watched the two combatants clash like enraged lions, their ferocity unmatched.Meanwhile, among the crowd, two women separately watched with deep concern—one for Sima Lun, the other for Yin Li.
Sima Lun suddenly sprang upward, his body soaring like a great bird. With several shifts in midair, he spun and descended with a fierce shout. Hands and feet moved in a blur as he unleashed the ingenious technique Inverting Heaven and Earth. His right hand shot forward like an eagle's claw, seizing with deadly precision; his left followed instantly with a palm strike; then the right hand flicked out two fingers—Two-Finger Zen—aiming straight for Yin Li's vital points.
These strange, vicious techniques were unlike anything Yin Li had ever encountered. But since consuming the Tibetan Snow Lotus, his internal strength had grown, his reactions sharpened. With skill now honed to perfection, he slid sideways, his steps flowing with his qi, able to release or retract power at will. With two swift shifts he evaded the palm attacks and the finger strikes.
Stone-Breaking Demon Palm Yin Li countered with Erecting the Monument. His palm force surged sharply; each strike fell with the weight of a stone stele, a tidal wave of crushing momentum. Every punch, every palm shook Sima Lun's organs, sending flashes of gold dancing before his eyes. Alarmed, Sima Lun quickly executed Autumn Leaves in Flight, hoping to dissolve Yin Li's assault. His body fluttered and drifted like late-autumn leaves.
But Yin Li pressed in with unstoppable momentum. His figure flickered close, and he unleashed Stele Before the Tomb—a sudden, devastating strike that drew gasps from the crowd.
Sima Lun hurriedly responded with Reversing Heaven's Rotation, the very technique that saved him in their previous duel. With a sharp whistle, he reversed defense into offense, launching fierce counterattacks. Their fists and palms collided one after another, neither yielding an inch.
Both men centered themselves, drawing in their qi for a decisive clash.
Palm met palm—each impact resounding like rolling thunder.
Yin Li's strike shot straight toward Sima Lun's chest. Though Sima Lun redirected it with a brilliant outward parry—quick as lightning and executed with impeccable timing—Yin Li had already anticipated it. His power far exceeded what it had been half a year ago. Striking after the opponent moved, but faster than thought itself, Yin Li's hand swept sideways and landed squarely upon Sima Lun's abdomen.
A loud crack rang out.
The Black-Eating King staggered backward, unable to keep his footing. Blood spurted from his mouth.From the crowd erupted shouts:
"That's it!""The winner is decided!"
Sima Lun, stars flashing before his eyes, collapsed to the ground—gravely injured.
Chief Magistrate Cui leapt forward and proclaimed loudly:
"The contest has its conclusion—Stone-Breaking Demon Palm Yin Li is the victor!"
Yin Li spoke in a clear voice:
"Brothers of the Jianghu, Sima Lun struck me once half a year ago. Today I return him that one strike. From this moment, our grudges are settled—no more hatred between us!"
The spectators erupted into enthusiastic applause.
Wu Tong stepped into the arena, clasped his fists, and congratulated him:
"Congratulations, Senior Yin! To spare your opponent even in victory—your magnanimity inspires admiration."
Yin Li replied,"There was never deep hatred between us. Ending it here is only fitting."
By now, Gao Siyao—the Jade Guanyin—and the Three Devils of the Black Wind had rushed to Sima Lun's side, lifting him up. Yet Gao Siyao cast a flirtatious glance toward Yin Li.
"Yin Li," she said, voice dripping sweetly, "your skill is extraordinary. It seems you'll soon dazzle the Jianghu once more."
At that moment, another woman of stunning grace strode up to Yin Li. With a cold voice she said:
"Brother Li, ignore this shameless woman. Your vengeance is settled—we're leaving."
Gao Siyao froze for a moment, her face paling—the newcomer was Orchid-Hand Jiang Xiu.Just moments earlier, seeing Sima Lun defeated and Yin Li stronger than ever, Gao Siyao had toyed with the idea of returning to Yin Li's side. But the appearance of Jiang Xiu was like a bucket of cold water poured squarely over her head.
Jiang Xiu, renowned for beauty as refined as orchids, had struck Yin Li like a heavenly vision when they first met. Gao Siyao had noticed it then but chose not to expose it. Now rage surged through her.
"So it's you, fox spirit!" she snapped. "And who gave you the right to call him 'Brother Li'? Hmph!"
Jiang Xiu, who had long been irked by Gao Siyao's seductive glances toward Yin Li, flared in anger:
"You're the one who flits from man to man! You see Brother Li regain his former strength and suddenly want to crawl back? Let me tell you—Brother Li and I are already married. So give up whatever schemes you're plotting!"
Gao Siyao reeled as if struck by lightning. Though she had spent many years with Yin Li, he had never once mentioned marriage. Her anger boiled over; she pointed at Yin Li, shouting through tears:
"Yin Li! You heartless wretch! I stayed with you almost ten years and you never once said you'd marry me! Yet in just half a year you've run off with this shameless woman and even married her? Yin Li! You ungrateful beast! Why don't you say something!?"
Though Gao Siyao had deceived Yin Li in the past—stealing his money and spurring the fight with Sima Lun—her words now were entirely true. Yin Li could not refute them.
He sighed helplessly."Affairs of men and women… we each have our own paths now. Why torment yourself over this?"