It was mid-April, when wild blossoms crowded the trees and flocks of orioles darted in confused flight. On this day, the rebel contingent was about to reach Suiyang, when a sudden commotion arose upon the official road. They saw a lone man driving a carriage approach; the horse neighed, and from the back of the carriage four men emerged, bearing a coffin. The coffin was brand-new — the lacquer seemed as though it had not yet fully dried. The four porters carried it straight down from the wagon, glanced about, and simply set the coffin right in the middle of the road. The driver, a young fellow, looked uneasy as he asked,"Is there a Beggar Sect Chief here by the name Fei Jin?"
Elder Chen Yan of the Beggar Sect, catching sight of the coffin, flared up at once."What business have you asking after our Chief?"
The young fellow said, "Then we're in the right place. I'm a hand from the coffin shop — this coffin is to be delivered to the Beggar Sect Chief."
At these words, the crowd was shaken. Two of the Four Great Elders, Qian He and Jiang Feng, immediately surged forward:"You little wretch! Tired of living, are you? Bringing a coffin to our Beggar Sect to spit bad luck at us!"
The Beggar Sect were people who lived atop knife-edges — they were not the sort to blanch at threats. Instead, Chief Fei Jin burst into laughter."Amusing! A coffin means fortune! This old beggar has been poor all his life — and someone actually sends me a coffin!"
Chen Yan barked, "Looking for death, are you? This coffin suits you better!"
The young fellow could only force a sickly smile."Please, sirs, calm your anger— this is premium nanmu burial wood, we common folks could never afford such luck."
Chen Yan's hand was already arcing toward the youth's face for a slap, when Elder Song Ren caught his wrist mid-air and asked instead,"Who ordered you to deliver this coffin here?"
Just then, two men appeared from the opposite side of the road. One of them called out in a clear, ringing voice,"Is the Beggar Sect Chief, Fei Jin, present?"
Elder Song Ren stepped forward and asked,"And what business have you two with him?"
The first man was of medium build, gaunt and expressionless. "I am Heaven's Doom, the Lone Star."The other was unnaturally tall and thin, his face drained of blood, his tone icy. "And I am Killer Wolf."
At those names, everyone stiffened. The two were infamous across the martial world— twin harbingers of death. Assassins, after all, were a grim necessity of the jianghu; those who could afford them paid dearly. These two were the most expensive, most ruthless, and most reliable killers alive. It was said their devotion to the sword bordered on madness— their eyes, blank and lifeless, betrayed no emotion, yet they slew without the faintest hesitation.
Moments earlier, when the coffin had been delivered to Chief Fei Jin, no one had known its meaning. Now, its purpose was all too clear.
At this moment Wu Tong strode forth, the Wolong Blade in his left hand. His voice rang out,"What business have you two with Chief Fei Jin of the Beggar Sect?"
"He is to be killed," said Heaven's Doom flatly.
Wu Tong asked, "How much silver were you paid — and who is buying the kill?"
"Two thousand taels," said Killer Wolf.
"One man," echoed Heaven's Doom.
Wu Tong gave a faint, derisive smile and shook his head."Too cheap by far. Have you even been paid yet?"
"A thousand in advance," said Killer Wolf.
"One man," Heaven's Doom repeated.
Killer Wolf added slowly, with a trace of morbid delight,"The price may be low — but the pleasure of killing makes up the rest."
At that moment, Zeng Qiang, deputy chief of the Salt Gang, growled,"The buyers must be Zhang Cheng of the Wharf Gang and Yang Lin-zhong of the Xingwu Gang."
Tang Fei, second-in-command of the Phoenix Gang, added,"Those two are a nest of snakes and rats — no skill of their own, so they hire blades to avenge their shame!"
Wu Tong sighed."So Zhang Cheng and Yang Lin-zhong, desperate to wash away the disgrace of kneeling that day, spent only this much? Gentlemen — pardon my frankness — take the deposit and leave while you can. Do not gamble your lives for so little."
Just then Zhao Rou stepped out from the rebel ranks and said,"Have you two ever heard this saying — When the Wolong Blade appears, no demon can stand?"
Liu Yun also stepped forth, pointing to Wu Tong."This man is Wu Tong, Lord of the Hall of Loyal Righteousness, heir to the Wolong Blade. If the two of you still fear death, leave at once."
Liu Yun had thought the names alone could cow the assassins — but neither Killer Wolf nor Heaven's Doom so much as flinched. They were the most reliable killers in the martial world; how could mere reputation drive them back? Killer Wolf even smiled faintly:"Excellent. The Wolong Blade is famed across the land. To cross blades with it today — my life will not have been in vain."
Heaven's Doom said as well, in that hollow voice,"You would not understand our solitude. Our greatest wish in this life is to duel with true masters — to savor that instant at the brink of life and death."
Li Qian spoke coldly,"He who kills shall in turn be killed. You two take pleasure in murder — Heaven will not abide such men."
Killer Wolf gave a thin, almost gentle smile."Girl, we kill for delight. Since ancient times, who has lived without dying? We became killers knowing full well we'd never see old age."
At those words, a chill crept over everyone's scalps — the murderous will rolling off them was terrifying beyond words. Wu Tong gave a short, cutting laugh."In that case there is nothing left to discuss. Today the Wolong Blade will send you both on your way to the Western Heaven — no thanks necessary."
Heaven's Doom grew visibly displeased. He could not accept that Wu Tong might truly possess some unfathomable skill. Stepping forward, he said,"And just what ability do you claim to have?"
Killer Wolf, however, let a faint smile ghost across his lips."Excellent. To meet such a foe before my death — my life is not wasted."
Their gazes met — and sparks seemed to crackle in the air.
Everyone else instinctively drew back. Two were the highest-priced, deadliest, and most trusted assassins in the world; the other was the chosen successor to the Wolong Blade under Sect Master Li Wenzhong himself. None of these three bore false fame. Wu Tong said,"Today your fates end here. The Wolong Blade — peerless under Heaven — will grant you two a clean death."
No sooner had he spoken than Heaven's Doom lunged — the thrust was like a ghost striking from the void, preternaturally swift, driven by a force beyond belief. Wu Tong merely turned his wrist upon the hilt, and the sword-force was already checked.
"Good," murmured Killer Wolf — and his blade sprang up as he swept forward. Wu Tong slipped aside, drawing the Wolong Blade as he turned, his steps shifting in fluid evasion as two killing strokes flashed past him in succession. Sword-light blossomed around his body, sealing every vital point in steel.
Then Wu Tong unleashed a move — Rousing Clouds, Summoning Rain — and the Wolong Blade came alive in his hands. In an instant the blade gleamed like a streaking rainbow. Killer Wolf pressed in from the left, Heaven's Doom from the right; every stroke they launched was a death-stroke, each one meant to cut Wu Tong down without reprieve…