Huangshan Palace was a place of peerless stillness—ancient, austere, and serenely secluded, a refuge standing apart from the mundane world. Daoist temples were, by nature, sanctuaries for those who had renounced worldly ties, places of quiet cultivation hidden deep among the mountains. Here the air was tranquil and refined, forests stretching endlessly in layered shade.
At dawn the following day, Wu Tong and Liu Yun rose early and set out along the mountain trail. They climbed as the path wound and twisted, scenery unfolding at every turn. Plum blossoms scented the air as they walked. Before them spread clouds and peaks, mist and mountains like scenes from a painted scroll, as though they had stepped into an immortal realm. The two gazed upon the surrounding ranges, taking in the breathtaking beauty, their spirits unburdened and hearts refreshed.
After descending the mountain, they shared a simple breakfast of morning porridge. Then they clasped fists in farewell to the others. Only Sidian Situ Kong insisted on accompanying them, loudly proclaiming that he would personally protect Wu Tong. His boisterous declaration sent everyone into peals of laughter.
That day was the eighth day of the second lunar month. From early morning, Ruiguang Temple had already gathered a large crowd of devotees who came to pay homage. The monks within were bustling about, preparing to receive worshippers for Śākyamuni Buddha's Nirvana Day. Just then, a large group arrived outside the temple gates. Needless to say, they were all men of the greenwood—brigands and outlaws. It was Wei Fu, deputy leader of the Flying Sand Gang, leading his men to provoke trouble.
One of them shouted loudly,"Business seems good for you monks—so many people coming to burn incense and make offerings!"
Several temple monks grabbed their wooden staffs and shouted back,"Today is Śākyamuni Buddha's Nirvana Day! Do not cause trouble here. Take another step forward and don't blame us for being merciless!"
Wei Fu sneered,"I came precisely to cause trouble—so what?"
He was around forty years of age, tall and powerfully built. As the deputy leader of the Flying Sand Gang, Wei Fu swaggered forward arrogantly. The monks retreated step by step, shouting warnings,"Don't come any closer!"
Wei Fu advanced with his men and said mockingly,"I insist on going forward. What can you do about it?"
One monk, unable to endure any longer, swung his staff downward with tremendous force, like a landslide splitting the earth, striking straight toward Wei Fu's head. In that instant—swift as lightning—Wei Fu raised his left hand. With a sharp crack, the wooden staff snapped in two.
Wei Fu glared fiercely and barked,"Don't be blind to what's good for you. Call your abbot out here!"
A leading monk replied angrily,"You think you can see the abbot just because you want to? Today is the Buddha's Nirvana Day—he has no time for you!"
Wei Fu sneered,"If he won't come out, then we'll beat you monks until he does!"With a pause, he cast a sharp glance at his men and growled,"Move!"
The gang members roared and surged forward like wolves and tigers, charging straight at the ten monk-guards of Ruiguang Temple. The monks raised their wooden staffs, each staff whistling through the air as they braced for battle. With a series of furious shouts, the two sides collided.
Though the monks fought with staffs in hand, the Flying Sand Gang abandoned their weapons altogether, charging in barehanded. In less than half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the outcome was decided. All ten monks were struck down. They lay scattered on the ground, cries of pain rising on all sides.
Wei Fu laughed loudly and called out,"Abbot?"
At that moment, the Abbot of Ruiguang Temple, Daoist Xuanzhen, Qiu Biao, deputy leader of the Flying Eagle Gang, along with Wang Yun and Qiu Ting, emerged from the main hall.
The abbot clasped his hands together and intoned,"Amitābha. This old monk is the abbot of Ruiguang Temple, Dharma name Liaofan. May I ask, benefactor, why you have assaulted the monks of this temple without cause?"
Wei Fu's expression darkened."I am Wei Fu, deputy leader of the Flying Sand Gang. Some days ago, our gang informed your temple that you are to pay a monthly protection fee of one hundred taels, the same as you do to the Flying Eagle Gang. The deadline has arrived. By order of our leader, I am here today to collect it."
Abbot Liaofan replied calmly,"Our temple has already hired the Flying Eagle Gang as guards. We have no silver left to pay further fees. I ask the benefactor not to trouble this temple further."
Wei Fu's face hardened."Master Liaofan, don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. If the Flying Eagle Gang can serve as guards, why can't the Flying Sand Gang do the same? What—is it not allowed?"He spat angrily,"Stinking monk, aren't you clearly denying my Flying Sand Gang any face?"
At this moment, Qiu Biao strode forward and said sternly,"Wei Fu, are you deliberately looking for trouble? Though there have been grievances between our two gangs, there's no need to drag Ruiguang Temple into this."
Suddenly, several figures flashed into view. One landed lightly and said,"So what if we're looking for trouble with the Flying Eagle Gang?"
The speaker was none other than Thunder-Hand Ge Long. With him were his son Ge Tian, the Wine-and-Meat Monk, and Heaven-Cripple and Earth-Lame.
Qiu Ting said disdainfully,"What? You've brought reinforcements?"
Qiu Biao exclaimed,"Thunder-Hand Ge Long? What does this have to do with you?"
Ge Long laughed coldly."Deputy Leader Qiu, you have sharp eyes. I am indeed Thunder-Hand Ge Long."
Wang Yun said firmly,"Senior, if you intend to provoke the Flying Eagle Gang, you may be underestimating us."
Wei Fu said in a low voice,"Ge Long, this man is Wang Yun, son-in-law of Flying Eagle Gang Leader Qiu Bao. His skill is not to be taken lightly."
Ge Long sneered."Today we have superior numbers. With the Wine-and-Meat Monk and Heaven-Cripple and Earth-Lame aiding us, we won't allow him to run rampant!"
(Ge Long, of course, did not bother counting his useless son among their strength.)
Seeing the opposing side's overwhelming numbers, Qiu Ting knew these fiends were no easy adversaries, yet she still spoke with disdain:"Those who roam the martial world relying on numbers—how can they be called heroes?"
Heaven-Cripple and Earth-Lame laughed coldly."We've always fought together—and we've never claimed to be heroes!"
The Wine-and-Meat Monk stepped forward and said heavily,"Wang Yun, I've heard you personally killed Master Weiyan of Fahua Temple and the Four Senior Disciples. Is this true?"
Wang Yun's face remained expressionless."That's right. A family annihilated—such hatred cannot share the same sky. I endured ten years of training solely to avenge that massacre!"
The Wine-and-Meat Monk advanced, eyes filled with malice as he scrutinized Wang Yun from head to toe."Very good. You may avenge your family—that is only just. But Master Weiyan and I shared a deep bond. Today, I must also avenge him."
To everyone's surprise, Wang Yun nodded in agreement."That is only proper. Senior avenging Master Weiyan follows the ways of human sentiment. I, Wang Yun, have little talent—only by giving my all can I avoid disgracing what I have learned."
The Wine-and-Meat Monk laughed grimly."Then we'll follow the rules of the martial world—one-on-one! No weapons. If you die from a single palm strike, you'll have only yourself to blame!"
Qiu Ting's face turned pale."Brother Yun, be careful!"
Wang Yun gazed at her with deep affection."Life and death are decreed by fate. Don't worry."
His figure flashed. With elegant speed, he stepped into the field, clasped his hands, and said calmly,"Please."