Thunder Hand Ge Long struck first, unleashing a chain of twin palms. The wind howled and thunder rumbled as the blows drove straight toward Situ Kong's chest.
Situ Kong's expression did not change in the slightest. He shifted his stance, spun his body, and slipped past the attack. His horse stance slid, and his left palm cut out diagonally, striking back at Ge Long in the same breath.
Ge Long's attack missed. Shocked and furious, he had never expected Situ Kong's counter to be so fast. He stamped hard, twisted sideways, and sprang a full zhang away, narrowly evading the blow.
Fortunately, Heaven-Cripple and Earth-Defect rushed in from both sides to reinforce him. Situ Kong smoothly withdrew his strike and changed form; otherwise, Ge Long would have suffered a humiliating defeat in a single exchange.
A trace of astonishment crossed Ge Long's face as he involuntarily sucked in a cold breath.
Situ Kong advanced head-on, his shift-and-swap footwork flowing freely across the field. His body spun like a windmill, rising and falling unpredictably. Both palms suddenly traced arcs in the air, then thrust forward together—two fearsome gales of inner force blasting out with thunderous momentum.
Heaven-Cripple and Earth-Defect dared not meet the strike head-on. They dodged hastily.Boom! Boom!Where the gales struck, two pits a full foot deep were blown into the stone of the square.
Two figures leapt in quick succession—Wei Fu and Ge Long renewed the assault. Four men now attacked Situ Kong together, their offense fierce as a torrential storm, striking toward the thirty-six vital acupoints across his body.
Sand and stones flew. Onlookers scattered in alarm as the violent palm winds lashed their clothes with snapping force. Figures blurred and flashed; in the chaos, Situ Kong's movements were peerless. His advances and withdrawals, his receiving and sending of force, were exquisite to the extreme.
In the blink of an eye—amid leaps and landings—the five had already exchanged nearly thirty moves.
Suddenly, Situ Kong vaulted ten zhang away. He surveyed the scene, nodded, and burst into loud laughter.
Seeing him face four top-tier fighters with such wild confidence, the crowd was stunned. This must be a hidden master, they thought—otherwise how could he possess such depth?
Situ Kong praised them cheerfully:
"You four truly have fine kung fu. I admire it greatly. I've had a splendid warm-up—stretched my bones and loosened my sinews. Now you'd better be careful."
The four were furious yet uneasy. The danger before them was unmistakable—this old man was no empty boaster.
As his words ended, Situ Kong's body shuddered. His palms drew arcs in midair; his aura surged skyward. Sleeves billowed. Gasps rippled through the square.
Ge Long and the others exchanged looks, faces clouded with dread, each involuntarily drawing in a sharp breath. The onlookers held their breath as well.
"Take this!" Situ Kong shouted.
His martial skill was nothing short of transcendent. A terrifying long whistle tore the air as his figure burst forth, faster than birds in flight—like a startled swan, like lightning and thunder combined—bearing down on Ge Long and the others with ruthless force. His cultivation had reached the pinnacle.
His hands moved like ghosts and demons.
Ge Long bore the brunt. He raised his palms to block—barely deflecting one strike—bang!—the next palm slammed into his abdomen.
Wei Fu chopped a palm toward him—only to hit empty air. Situ Kong's leg shot out, kicking squarely into Wei Fu's back. With a scream, Wei Fu was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground.
Heaven-Cripple and Earth-Defect rushed in to assist. Situ Kong spun sharply; amid the tangle of attack and defense—bang, bang!—both were blasted away, each struck by a palm. Half-paralyzed, staggering, they finally collapsed.
Situ Kong clapped his hands together, delighted.
"Today was great fun. No one ruined my mood!"
Liu Yun laughed like chiming silver bells and stepped lightly into the arena.
"Well? Scared now?" she said brightly. "This senior's martial arts are peerless. If he truly wished it, he could crush the four of you like ants."
Wei Fu gritted his teeth through the pain.
"Who… exactly is he?"
"You guess," Liu Yun replied.
Ge Long ventured hoarsely,"Could it be 'Tiger Among Men' Shi Yong?"
Situ Kong teased,"Do I look that young?"
Heaven-Cripple and Earth-Defect, injured and spitting blood, struggled to their feet. Seeing the old man's mad demeanor yet utterly restrained gaze—inner power concealed to the absolute peak—realization struck.
Heaven-Cripple exclaimed,"Could it be… 'West Pinnacle' Situ Kong?!"
"You've got sharp eyes," Liu Yun said. "This senior is indeed 'West Pinnacle' Situ Kong!"
The square erupted. Whispered exclamations spread like wildfire. West Pinnacle Situ Kong!—a legendary elder of the martial world, famed beyond measure, with martial skill to match.
Situ Kong said coldly,
"Out of respect for Hall Master Wu Tong, I spare your miserable lives today. Now get lost."
Liu Yun added loudly,
"With West Pinnacle's status, fighting you lot today already sullies his reputation. Hmph—consider it a great blessing that each of you survived even a single palm or kick."
Qiu Biao, deputy leader of the Flying Eagle Sect, showed no mercy. He stepped forward and addressed Wei Fu:
"The grudges between our two sects have nothing to do with Ruiguang Temple. If you seek trouble, the Flying Eagle Sect will receive you anytime."
Wei Fu, humiliated and seething, snarled,
"Today's debt will be repaid another day! Let's go!"
With a sharp gesture, he led his men—along with Ge Long, Heaven-Cripple, Earth-Defect, and the Wine-and-Meat Monk—away in disgrace.
Thus:
Peerless skill revealed,A startled swan streaks like a rainbow.Silver-bell laughter rings—Who would guess an old hero so grand?
Wang Yun and Qiu Ting stepped forward and bowed.
"We have witnessed your divine skill, Senior. Our admiration knows no bounds."
Qiu Biao added with a laugh,
"These thieves' petty tricks were truly laughable!"
Situ Kong replied modestly,
"You flatter me."
Wu Tong said,
"Today's matter ends perfectly. Senior Situ displayed unmatched might. Deputy Leader Qiu—shall we find an inn and celebrate?"
Qiu Biao laughed heartily.
"Of course! Let us raise our cups to heroes! Come!"
And so, after bidding farewell to Abbot Liaofan of Ruiguang Temple, the group departed together for an inn—to drink, to celebrate, and to savor victory.