The Duel of the Maidens: Tan Wei vs. Qin Hong
The air whistled with the force of their palms as the atmosphere grew increasingly heavy. Qin Hong (Elegant Third Madam) launched a ferocious assault, her steps blurring as she executed a double strike aimed directly at Tan Wei's lower abdomen. These were killing blows, delivered with no mercy—a life-or-death crisis that unfolded in the blink of an eye.
Standing nearby, Li Jian felt his heart tighten, breaking into a cold sweat for Tan Wei. Recognizing the lethal intent, Tan Wei knew there was no room for error. She retreated two rapid steps, her right arm vibrating as she unleashed the technique "Boiling Seas and Overturning Waves." Her internal energy surged out like a colossal tidal wave, sweeping toward her opponent. Seeing her react so swiftly, Li Jian finally let out a long breath of relief, thinking, "Thank goodness her reflexes are sharp, or that blow would have been catastrophic."
The two women moved like the wind, a blur of fists and feet. Qin Hong maintained a chilling sneer, her palm strikes as fast as lightning and her movement ghostly and erratic. Tan Wei, though startled by the woman's ruthlessness, refused to back down.
"Little girl," Qin Hong mocked during a clash of palms, "you have some skill, but you stick your nose where it doesn't belong!"
"The Four Fiends of the Gale must have eaten a leopard's heart to gain such nerve," Tan Wei countered, parrying a blow. "To dare offend the Beggars' Gang, the greatest sect under heaven!"
Qin Hong laughed scornfully. "The Beggars' Gang? They are nothing but a pack of professional paupers. Begging until they're old—what real talent could they possibly have?"
This insult enraged the Beggars' Gang disciples watching the fight. Shouts of "Vile woman!" and "You're nothing but a harlot from a brothel!" erupted from the crowd. Furious at the verbal abuse, Qin Hong snarled, "Anyone who speaks again, I shall kill!"
She suddenly flew toward the Beggars' Gang crowd to strike, but Tan Wei was faster. Tan Wei intercepted her with a mid-air strike to the waist, forcing Qin Hong to twist away. After several more rapid exchanges, Qin Hong attempted a deceptive slice, but Tan Wei gathered her inner Qi and shifted right. As Qin Hong's palm struck empty air, Tan Wei countered with three rapid thrusts. Qin Hong tried to retreat, but a sudden impact hit her shoulder like the blow of an axe. With a sharp "Crack!", she was sent staggering back several yards before collapsing onto the ground.
The Fury of the Money Slave: Li Jian vs. Qian Ming
"Sister, retreat!" a voice boomed.
A shadow flickered as the second brother, Qian Ming (the "Money Slave"), appeared by Qin Hong's side. "This girl has talent; let me test her!" Before his voice finished echoing, he was airborne, launching a heavy palm strike.
Tan Wei attempted to parry, but Qian Ming shifted his strike mid-trajectory. This was his signature "Half-Step Palm"—a style that defied logic by changing direction at the last second. He lunged toward Tan Wei's abdomen with terrifying speed. Caught off guard by the sudden change in rhythm, Tan Wei scrambled to reposition. Qian Ming, sensing his advantage, pressed the attack relentlessly. His "Half-Step" style was a kaleidoscopic nightmare of shifting angles, leaving Tan Wei breathless and struggling to dodge.
Just as a heavy blow was about to land, a shout rang out: "Wei-mei, get back!"
Li Jian blurred into motion, stepping in front of Tan Wei to intercept the palm. The two men collided with a bone-shaking jar, both recoiling from the impact.
Qian Ming, the most hot-tempered of the four, roared, "So you really are the Master of Zhongyi Hall? You might have some backbone after all! I have dreamt of avenging the palm strike Wu Tong dealt me years ago every single day. Today, you've delivered yourself to my door!"
Li Jian replied coldly, "Evil men fear others, but they do not fear Heaven; good men are bullied by others, but Heaven does not bully them! Years ago, had Master Wu Tong not been merciful, you would have lost your lives. To seek revenge instead of repent is truly laughable!"
"Brat! Do you have even half of Wu Tong's skill?" Qian Ming leapt into the air, his palm energy erupting like an invisible blade. Li Jian snorted, flipped his wrist, and met the attack.
BOOM!
The collision echoed like thunder, sending sand and stones flying. Qian Ming closed in instantly, unleashing a flurry of three consecutive strikes. Li Jian parried them with lightning speed. Seeing no success, Qian Ming switched his style to the "Half-Step Claw," his hand hooking like a raptor's talon toward Li Jian's chest.
Li Jian evaded the claws and counter-attacked with two upward-slanting strikes. Qian Ming, agile as an eagle, leapt high and dived down with both claws extended in a ferocious, unrelenting assault. Li Jian had never seen such a bizarre style and was forced to focus entirely on defense.
Suddenly, Qian Ming let out a piercing, shrill laugh. He vaulted into the air, coiling his body like a bow, and dove claw-first. "Boy, give me your life!"
At that exact moment, Li Jian raised his right hand, executing the move "Utterly Carefree." His body became a blur—shifting left, right, forward, and back—until he suddenly appeared inside Qian Ming's guard.
"SMACK!"
The sound was solid and heavy. Unable to dodge, Qian Ming took the full force of Li Jian's palm to his chest. The massive internal energy surged through him, wreaking havoc on his Qi and blood. Agony lanced through his heart. Staggering back like a drunkard, his legs finally gave way, and he slumped to the ground, unable to stand.