Wu Tong declared resolutely,"As a man, one must stand between Heaven and Earth. To build merit for the nation and serve the court—how could one be content to pass through the world in obscurity?"
Wu Tong could easily have lived a life of wealth and comfort, enjoying honor and luxury without end. Yet his heart held greater ambitions. Unwilling to spend his life in mediocrity, he bade farewell to his parents, left the city of Guangzhou, and set out northward to seek his elder brother. He traveled far and wide, befriending heroes of the martial world, waiting for the moment when he might fully display his martial skill and talent.
Indeed—to live, one must be a hero among men; to die, a valiant spirit among ghosts. Only thus does one deserve to be called a true man who stands tall beneath Heaven.
Li Qian said,"My husband's martial skill is peerless, and he is well-versed in the classics and history. Today he upholds the Tang, charges through fire and blade—he is truly a hero of our age!"
Liu Yun added,"In times such as these, those with ability should act just so!"
Zhao Rou said,"Men like Jia Yong—though they possess supreme martial arts—are wasted. Their strength becomes nothing more than brute courage. What use is unmatched skill without virtue?"
When Zhao Rou mentioned Jia Yong, Ling Xian'er sighed softly."Sisters, you do not know—just days ago, Jia Yong abducted someone and extorted Royal Jelly from Princess Yuzhen. He was struck dead with a single palm by Master Quanzhi."
Li Qian asked in surprise,"Princess Yuzhen?"
Ling Xian'er replied,"Princess Yuzhen is the reigning emperor's aunt. She cultivates on Mount Hua and bears the Daoist title Wushang Zhen. It is a long story."
Liu Yun said with feeling,"Jia Yong was no good man—wolf-hearted and dog-minded. It was only fitting that he met such an end."
Zhao Rou's thoughts drifted back to the day she and Wu Tong first encountered Jia Yong at Tengwang Pavilion. A wave of emotion washed over her, tinged with melancholy."Do you remember the saying that once spread through the martial world—'Wu Tong of the South, Jia Yong of the North'?"
Back then, Southern Wu Tong and Northern Jia Yong were rival luminaries, equally renowned, neither yielding to the other.
Li Qian said,"Jia Yong's heart was twisted and his conduct corrupt. At last, retribution came upon him."
Indeed: Good and evil are always repaid in the end. Do not wait for retribution to arrive, only to grieve in vain.
Master Zhenkong said solemnly,"Just so—good is rewarded with good, evil with evil. Amitabha."
Daoist Whitebrow scoffed,"You monk recite 'Amitabha' all day long—no wonder you'll never become a Buddha."
Fearing the two would begin bickering again, Wu Tong noticed Steward Tang entering the hall and quickly said,"Steward Tang, is the evening banquet ready?"
Steward Tang replied,"Reporting to the Hall Master, the banquet is prepared."
Wu Tong smiled broadly."Then I trouble all the seniors to move to the dining hall."
Li Qian echoed politely,"Honored seniors, please proceed to the dining hall."
Wu Tong hosted a banquet in honor of the three senior heroes of the martial world. During the meal, Ling Xian'er continued recounting the events of their journey in vivid detail. All present were people of the jianghu, and conversation flowed freely.
The Two Eccentrics of Jianghu suddenly spoke of their first meeting with Wu Tong and the others years ago—it felt like yesterday. They laughed about how Zhao Rou had once disguised herself as a man, and how Liu Yun had been hopelessly smitten with her, unaware of the truth, causing endless embarrassment once it was revealed.
Time had passed swiftly. In only a few short years, Wu Tong had gone from a youth of the rivers and lakes to a renowned knight of the martial world, and further still, to a pillar relied upon by the court.
As the saying goes: Without traveling a thousand miles, how can one know a fine horse?Wu Tong had roamed the jianghu for three years, ascended into the halls of power, achieved merit after merit, and earned the deep trust of the court.
At this moment, Situ Kong—the "Madman of the West"—clapped his hands and laughed."Hall Master Wu, with four beautiful wives like immortal maidens, your life lacks nothing!"
Wu Tong felt a surge of joy. He raised his cup and said loudly,"Honored seniors, my wives and I offer you this toast. As we continue to walk the martial world, we hope for your continued guidance and care."
Master Zhenkong suddenly shouted,"This won't do—are you trying to make this old monk break his vows again?"
Wu Tong laughed."Master, take a sniff—this isn't spirits. It's grape juice."
Situ Kong laughed heartily."That's right—just grape juice. Drink!"
Daoism differs from Buddhism in that it often values the medicinal properties of alcohol, emphasizing its health-preserving effects. An ancient text once recorded: three men traveled through morning mist—one drank wine, one ate his fill, one went hungry. The hungry man died, the full man fell ill, but the one who drank wine remained healthy.
Daoist Whitebrow added,"Zhenkong, you can drink a little grape wine—it's good stuff!"
Before long, the wine lovers had finished off several jars of Wu Tong's treasured Western Regions grape wine.
In the afternoon, Wu Tong intended to rest briefly before delivering the manuscripts of Li Bai and Du Fu to Lord Zhang Gao's residence. But circumstances suddenly changed. A young eunuch arrived in haste at the gate and urgently summoned Wu Tong to the palace—the emperor requested an immediate audience.
Wu Tong therefore entrusted Ling Xian'er with delivering the documents to Lord Zhang Gao, while he himself took the Royal Jelly and headed for the palace.
The young eunuch led Wu Tong to the imperial study. Inside, the emperor said,"Hall Master Wu of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, please enter. Xiaobao may withdraw—I wish to speak with Hall Master Wu alone."
Xiaobao, the childhood name of Attendant Chen, replied respectfully,"This servant understands."
He opened the door for Wu Tong to enter the study, then quietly closed it behind him and withdrew.
Wu Tong entered and immediately knelt."Wu Tong, Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, kowtows to Your Majesty—may you live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"
The emperor said,"Rise, Hall Master Wu. Please be seated."
Noticing the porcelain bottles Wu Tong carried, the emperor asked curiously,"What have you brought to present to me?"
Wu Tong replied,"This is Royal Jelly entrusted to this official by Princess Yuzhen of Mount Hua, who cultivates under the Daoist title Wushang Zhen."
The emperor was startled."That is my aunt!"
Wu Tong presented the Royal Jelly with both hands. The emperor placed it upon the desk, took one bottle, and removed the cork. At once, a rich fragrance filled the room—refreshing, penetrating to the heart and spirit.
Wu Tong said,"Princess Yuzhen says this substance strengthens the spleen, nourishes the stomach, and supports the liver."
The emperor was greatly pleased."My aunt's kindness—how could I, her nephew, be ungrateful? I must prepare a generous gift in return."
Then his expression darkened, and he sighed."Wu Qing, do you know why I summoned you to the palace?"
Wu Tong answered,"This official does not know, but it must concern an urgent matter."
The emperor sighed deeply."I have just received word—General Li Siye has given his life for the country."
In the year 759, Li Siye and Guo Ziyi laid siege to Xiangzhou. The army was exhausted, and none of the generals achieved notable success—except Li Siye, who donned his armor and charged bravely time and again, slaying enemies beyond count, ranking first among the troops.
But during the assault on Yecheng, Li Siye—ever at the front—was struck by a stray arrow. Though bleeding heavily, he withdrew to recover. Later, upon hearing the war drums, his spirit was stirred beyond restraint. He leapt to his feet, shouting for battle, but his emotions ran too high—the wound reopened, blood flowed uncontrollably, and he died from loss of blood.