When the funeral procession—led by Peach Blossom and the other three attendants—had escorted the Western Holy Mother away, Wu Tong stepped forward and barked in a deep voice:
"You three—why have you not bound your own hands and stretched out your necks for judgment?"
The Western Holy Lord, Cai Ji, spat back furiously:
"Wu Tong, what is this farce? What kind of hero behaves like this?If you've any courage at all, put down that Crouching Dragon Blade and face the three of us in a death duel!"
The Sun–Moon Saint King, You De, added coldly:
"Your name is said to echo across the Jianghu. Why not fight bare-handed if you dare?"
Wu Tong heard them out without the slightest change of expression.
"Very well," he said lightly. "If it's a duel you want, I shall oblige you. Come."
He handed the Crouching Dragon Blade to Ling Xian'er, tapped his foot, and dropped into the center of the field. His gaze swept over the crowd like a cold knife.
"Followers of the Western Sect—prepare yourselves. You'll soon be collecting the corpses of your Holy Lord and your Saint Kings."
The Heaven–Earth Saint King, Su Song, chuckled with tragic bravado:
"Life and death are fated. Early or late—what difference does it make?"
You De of the Sun–Moon Saint King echoed him:
"We who live in the Jianghu lick blood from the blade every day. This moment was always bound to come. Nothing to make a fuss about."
Liu Yun snapped:
"Heaven above, earth below—yet you have committed crimes that neither heaven nor earth can tolerate!"
But Cai Ji burst into forced laughter, trying desperately to maintain the bearing of a leader:
"Twenty years from now, I shall be a hero once again!"
Afraid of death, he used the old saying to comfort himself, hoping for rebirth and another life to complete what he failed to finish in this one.
Wu Tong walked toward him slowly, his voice like cold steel:
"There is no next life to await, nor a past life to return to.Yesterday cannot be retrieved. Tomorrow can never be caught.What a man truly possesses—is only today."
You De leaned close to his two companions and muttered anxiously:
"One-on-one we've no chance. How about… all three of us together?"
But Wu Tong merely snorted.
"You think I don't know? Save the trouble. Come together—Wu shall send the three of you to the Western Paradise at once!"
His tone was pure heroic arrogance. Cai Ji, enraged, shouted:
"You want to play the hero? We're not buying it!We'll come at you together!"
Liu Yun, impatient, cried:
"Enough babbling—fight!"
The three men's faces twisted in fury. Cold light flashed in their eyes, and with a sudden roar, all three leapt forth. Sharp wind howled as their silhouettes streaked toward Wu Tong, unleashing vicious attacks from every direction.
Wu Tong slipped aside in mid-strike and suddenly executed "Strolling on Floating Clouds."His movements were unhurried, feet light as wind, palms drifting as though casually extended—yet each gesture carried the effortless elegance of a man taking a quiet walk through a courtyard. After a few exchanges, Wu Tong barked:
"Wu acts today on behalf of Heaven, lending you three a hand on your journey—to the Western Paradise!"
Su Song cursed:
"Bullshit!"
Cai Ji raged:
"Bastard! You'll pay with your life today!"
You De snarled:
"You think killing us will be easy?"
But Wu Tong did not stop attacking.
"A nest of snakes and rats—today Heaven decrees your extermination!"
The four clashed with blinding speed. Cai Ji and his companions, like cornered rats, had no path left but death; forced to fight to the end, they unleashed everything they had. You De struck from the left, Su Song from the right, while Cai Ji attacked straight down the center, their moves ruthless, lethal, and desperate.
Wu Tong surged forward, intercepting them with a roar. Years of life-and-death battles had honed his skill to perfection. He launched "Palm Within the Fist," his twin fists crossing as palm-force burst forth with explosive power. The three attackers froze a heartbeat—his technique, fist laced with palm force, hit like thunder rolling down a mountainside. They stumbled back at once, scrambling to evade.
But Wu Tong inhaled deeply; his palms opened and closed with the rhythm of breath, inner energy surging like the roaring seas.
He bent forward suddenly, releasing a palm strike like a tidal wave—wind roared, sand flew, earth trembled.
The three men turned pale and dared not receive the strike head-on, hastily withdrawing. Wu Tong, however, stepped in and struck again. One palm met Cai Ji's left hand—another shot straight forward. Cai Ji attempted to block, but Wu Tong's palm was slippery as a serpent and swift beyond thought.
A crack echoed.Cai Ji flew several zhang backward.
You De and Su Song charged in, but Wu Tong's form blurred like shifting shadows—one instant here, the next elsewhere. Two more crashing impacts sounded, and both Saint Kings were hurled away.
All three were now gravely wounded.
A harsh mountain wind swept through the Chahe Valley, carrying the smell of blood. Sunset bled across the sky; lone geese cut across the crimson dusk.
Wu Tong said grimly:
"Nigemet, bind these three."
Nigemet obeyed at once, ordering the tribal soldiers to tie the three men. Before long he returned:
"Master Wu, all three are secured."
Wu Tong nodded.
"Bring the three hall-masters who abducted the village women.We will execute them here—according to law, as a warning to all."
Soon, six tribal soldiers lined up the three hall-masters alongside Cai Ji, You De, and Su Song.
Wu Tong commanded:
"Face the West. Kneel."
A soldier kicked them forward; all six fell to their knees. Terrified beyond measure, they looked as pale as death.
Liu Yun turned toward the Western Sect followers and proclaimed:
"Followers of the Western Sect—hear this!By order of the Ruler of the Uyghurs, the Righteous Brotherhood acts as Heaven's inspectors.Today, the six ringleaders of your crimes shall be executed!"
The Western Sect's disciples collapsed to the ground, bowing and shouting:
"Spare us, great masters—mercy!"Their cries were pitiful beyond words.
Ling Xian'er softened her tone slightly:
"Master Wu of the Righteous Brotherhood has granted you mercy today, sparing you from collective punishment.He hopes that you will abandon evil and walk the path of righteousness.Look well upon the fate of these six—and reflect."