Hu Yu, chieftain of Niutou Mountain, would not tolerate such arrogance. His eyes flared as he glared at Wu Tong and barked,
"Who the hell are you?"
Before his words had even settled, he snatched a saber from a nearby bandit and leapt forward. In a flash—his blade descended, aimed straight for Wu Tong's head.
Yet—
The saber stopped midair.
It hung there, motionless.
A gasp rippled through both sides. All eyes widened in disbelief.
Wu Tong thought coldly, We meet for the first time, with neither grudge nor cause—yet he strikes to kill without question. Ruthless beyond measure.
Hu Yu strained to pull his blade free—but it would not budge. Forced to abandon it, he leapt back in shock.
Seeing him falter, Qiang Jiang and Ruo Hu were about to step in, but instead shouted,"Brothers! Kill him!"
The bandits surged forward, blades in hand, surrounding Wu Tong—yet none dared step closer.
Wu Tong calmly unslung the Wolong Saber from his back and stepped forward. His gaze swept across them as he spoke in a clear, steady voice:
"Who wishes to test my blade?"
The bandits hesitated.
Wu Tong's tone turned cold."Stand aside. I only want the lives of these three. Do not throw yourselves onto my blade."
A few reckless bandits lunged forward anyway.
Wu Tong moved like a phantom—dodging in an instant. His left leg shot upward, striking midair like lightning.
A muffled groan—
The attacker was sent flying backward.
Wu Tong turned, striking out with both palms—swift as the wind. Two more bandits screamed as they were blasted away, crashing to the ground, unconscious—whether dead or alive, none could tell.
The Tang soldiers erupted in cheers.
The bandits, on the other hand, turned pale as death. They knew disaster had come.
Wu Tong stood still, cold as frost. His voice rang out:
"You three have tyrannized this land for far too long—even daring to rob the imperial army. I am Wu Tong, Master of the Hall of Loyalty. Today—I act in the name of Heaven."
At these words, the bandits were struck with terror. Murmurs spread rapidly—panic rising like wildfire.
We've run into a demon today… stepping forward is certain death.
The three chieftains finally realized the gravity of their situation. Their hearts churned like buckets in a well.
Hu Yu's face changed instantly. His fierce expression softened into forced humility as he cupped his hands:
"So… it is Master Wu Tong. I was blind to greatness—please forgive my offense!"
Wu Tong replied coldly,"Save it. Weren't you the one who tried to split my skull just now?"
Hu Yu forced a smile."We are all men of the jianghu. Since fate has brought us together, why be so serious? Leave a line of mercy today, so we may meet again in peace. Surely there has been some misunderstanding—why speak of life and death?"
Wu Tong had no desire to slaughter lightly. But these men had long terrorized the region, earning the hatred of the people.
And just moments ago, Hu Yu had tried to take his life without hesitation.
Such men… are beyond redemption.
Wu Tong's voice deepened:
"When Heaven sees Hu Yu, sun and moon lose their light.When Earth sees Hu Yu, grass and trees wither.When men see Hu Yu—nine out of ten perish.
Such 'glorious deeds'—truly astonishing.
As the saying goes: good is repaid with good, evil with evil.If Heaven does not send frost, the pine cannot outlast the weeds.
Draw your blades."
Qiang Jiang and Ruo Hu trembled, their legs weakening. They exchanged glances and hurriedly pleaded:
"This robbery was Hu Yu's idea—it has nothing to do with us! Spare us, hero!"
Wu Tong's voice thundered:
"You chose the outlaw's path—plundering, killing, harming the innocent, living in arrogance and cruelty. Now you speak of innocence?
A blade awaits whether you face it or flee.
A true man stands by his deeds—enough talk. Take up your weapons. I will send you on your way to the Yellow Springs."
He continued coldly:
"To know past causes, look at present suffering.To know future results, look at present deeds.Even across countless ages, karma never fades—When conditions meet, the consequences return."
The two men shuddered.
Hu Yu saw their hesitation and shouted:
"Enough! Whether we advance or retreat, it's death either way! Together—attack!"
He tossed them two sabers.
They caught them midair.
Qiang Jiang forced a laugh."I've heard your blade is unmatched. Today—I shall see it for myself."
Ruo Hu added,"Don't fear! We'll carve three holes into him!"
Thinking three against one gave them advantage, Qiang Jiang sneered,"You think victory is certain? The outcome is yet unknown!"
Hu Yu barked,"Stop talking—attack!"
The three leapt forward—but upon landing, none dared strike first.
Wu Tong raised his saber horizontally.
"Do not fear," he said coldly. "My blade is swift—you three may keep each other company on the road to the underworld."
Suddenly—
They attacked together.
A flash of steel—
Three strokes.
Before their screams could fully form, they were cut short.
Even those accustomed to bloodshed stood stunned.
Such blade work—peerless, terrifying, merciless.
There was no second man in the world capable of such mastery.
Wu Tong lowered his blade slightly, then pointed it toward the remaining bandits and shouted:
"Make way!"
Terrified, the bandits immediately cleared the road.
The Tang troops passed through without hindrance.
After traveling several miles, they came upon a grove of pine trees and stopped to rest.
At noon, the soldiers prepared a meal.
Yang Gang approached Wu Tong and Ling Xian'er, cupping his hands respectfully.
"My thanks to Master Wu and Madam for your aid."
They returned the gesture.
"No need for courtesy," Wu Tong replied.
Yang Gang said earnestly,"I had heard the court praise you as a man of unmatched loyalty and skill—but I did not believe it. Only today, seeing your prowess, do I realize my own ignorance."
He sighed."I have been like a frog in a well—blind to the vastness of the world."
He continued, humbled:"Today, I was outmatched even by bandits. Had it not been for you both, I would not be standing here."
His admiration deepened as he looked at them.
"How can the light of a firefly compete with the brilliance of the moon?"
After a pause, he added,"My aged mother, worried for my safety, went to the temple to draw a fortune. She said it was auspicious and told me to set out with a smile—but I cannot read. Might you help me?"
Ling Xian'er accepted the slip.
Wu Tong nodded."Please, read it."
Yang Gang nodded.
Ling Xian'er recited:
"Bandits gather in the hills, fierce and cruel;The innocent suffer needless fear.Yet the master sets out smiling—No weapons needed, the thieves will disappear."
Yang Gang's face lit up with joy."No wonder my mother said it was a good omen!"
Wu Tong smiled faintly—but his eyes reddened.
He thought of his own parents, far away beyond reach.
A quiet sorrow stirred within him.
Seeing Yang Gang, now in his forties, he sighed softly:
"To have such blessings… is your mother's virtue, accumulated over a lifetime. As sons, we must cherish and care for our parents while we can."
Yang Gang, though unaware of the full reason, felt the weight of his words and nodded solemnly:
"Your words are true. I will remember them."
Wu Tong lowered his gaze.
Thinking of how he had failed to serve his own parents well—
his heart filled with deep regret.