Lone Star turned and departed, but Cold Moon strode forward like an arrow loosed from the bow.
Seeing this, Li Jian clasped his fists and said respectfully,"Senior's bearing commands my deepest admiration."
Cold Moon, seeing his humility and courtesy, had originally intended to seize the initiative—but now could not help but respond in kind:
"Young hero, both your character and your martial skill have won my respect. I, too, have created a set of palm techniques, called 'One Jug and a Half', consisting of sixteen moves. I ask you not to withhold your guidance."
Li Jian replied modestly,"My abilities are far inferior to those of you two seniors. To create one's own martial art is to reach the heights of mastery—your insight is beyond my reach. I can only admire."
Cold Moon said,"Young hero, you are a rare talent of the age. Our skills would only invite your laughter. Let us treat this as a friendly exchange—stopping at the proper point."
His meaning was clear. Victory or defeat no longer mattered. There was no deep enmity between them. In Jianghu, testing one another's skills was only natural—it was the way of fellowship among wanderers.
Li Jian nodded, bringing left palm to right fist."Very well—Senior, please!"
Cold Moon held a wine jug in hand. He took a drink, then advanced slowly.
"The first move—Before the Cup, Beneath the Moon!"
His arms swayed—his left hand curved like a cup, his right swinging the jug. Having drunk, his body swayed left and right like a drunken man. His hands rotated, and in an instant he staggered three steps to the left, then five steps to the right, reciting:
"I raise my cup and drink alone,Gazing at courtyard branches to soothe my face."
Li Jian's brows lifted slightly. Already in stance, he laughed aloud and replied:
"I lean by the southern window in idle pride,Finding ease within this narrow space."
Cold Moon suddenly struck with a palm through the air, shouting,"I raise my cup to invite the bright moon!"
His body swayed drunkenly as he advanced.
The two immediately exchanged palm strikes.
Li Jian swung his right arm, striking out, his left palm following in a chopping motion. Cold Moon raised his arm to parry, yet his steps were unsteady, swaying like a drunkard. Suddenly he spun and declared:
"Drunkenly Lifting the Jug, Strength of a Thousand Pounds!"
His palm traced an arc through the air, unpredictable in direction. His right hand extended—slow at first, then swift—feinting east, striking west, while his left palm waited for the moment. Suddenly, he thrust forward with overwhelming force, like thunder and lightning.
"Excellent move!" Li Jian exclaimed.
His body shifted swiftly, stance firm. With calm precision, he deflected the strike, turning and weaving, stepping and countering. The two engaged in rapid offense and defense, each displaying supreme skill.
Cold Moon's movements resembled a drunken man.
Suddenly he stepped forward, flicking his wrist, and shouted:
"Drunken Toss of the Cup, Linked Kicks!"
With a drunken motion, he tossed the jug—right hand throwing, left hand catching in one smooth motion. His drunken steps surged forward like lightning.
Li Jian's figure flashed, dodging continuously. With a sudden push from both feet, he leapt backward, agile and precise.
The two faced one another—Cold Moon launching a series of rapid kicks, left and right in succession, while Li Jian retreated, evading and dismantling each attack.
Cold Moon cried out,"Immortal's Toast, Throat-Seizing Lock!"
He flung the wine jug outward. His index and middle fingers curled like hooks, striking directly at the throat—this was a deadly move, vicious and precise.
Li Jian waved his hands in rapid defense, blocking strike after strike.
Cold Moon followed immediately with both hands, shouting:"Three Cups in Respect!"
In the world of wine, one must endure both "three cups in respect" and "three cups in penalty." This move, Immortal's Toast, was in fact three linked techniques—each a throat-locking attack, vicious and relentless.
Cold Moon pressed forward with unceasing attacks.
Li Jian, meanwhile, shifted his stance and evaded, using one move from the Northern Underworld Palm, called Calm Seas Without Waves. Rising and falling, darting east and west, he avoided each strike with simple yet perfectly timed movements.
After several more exchanges, Li Jian struck out with a palm.
Cold Moon suddenly crouched and retreated, shouting:"Single Lifted Toast, Breaking at the Waist!"
In an instant, his upper body raised one hand while his lower body swept forward with a knee strike.
Li Jian was momentarily startled—but remained composed. Raising both arms, he pressed down the knee with his right palm while deflecting the incoming strike with his left, then leapt backward.
The two fought fiercely—advancing and retreating in rapid succession.
Cold Moon continued:
"Moonlit Breeze, Flowers Strike the Senses!"
His palm techniques shifted abruptly, sinking low, striking again and again. Then he added:
"A Jug of Clouded Wine Gazing at the Autumn Moon!"
With a sudden lift of his arm, he gathered force and struck straight toward the central point.
The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps, wave after wave.
Yet the two fighters did not slow in the slightest—their movements only grew faster.
Cold Moon shouted:"To Drink Face to Face Is the Way of Heroes!"
He extended his body and attacked directly.
At that moment, Li Jian seemed to realize something.
Suddenly, his own body began to sway like a drunken man.
His steps became unsteady, swaying left and right. With a sudden turn, the two now resembled drunken companions exchanging cups. What appeared simple was in fact an extremely difficult martial technique, requiring deep inner strength and precise control.
Their hands never ceased moving—like passing cups of wine, yet each motion concealed deadly intent.
Li Jian suddenly called out:
"Drunkenly Lifting the Jug, Strength of a Thousand Pounds!"
His palm traced a curved arc, slow then swift, feinting one direction while striking another. His left palm followed, waiting for the precise moment.
At once, the two struck simultaneously.
Pa!
A sharp sound echoed.
Both men swayed slightly.
In the vast arena, over a thousand eyes were fixed upon them. None but the greatest masters could tell who had gained the upper hand.
Yet Li Jian stood as though nothing had happened, while Cold Moon's face turned pale—the outcome was clear.
Li Jian immediately clasped his hands respectfully.
"Senior's martial art, One Jug and a Half, embodies both the form and spirit of drunkenness. It is truly unparalleled. To exchange moves with you today is my great fortune."
Though courteous, his admiration was sincere.
Cold Moon, inwardly, was equally astonished.
This youth executes the move 'Drunkenly Lifting the Jug' with such subtlety—my years of effort have not been in vain!
He circulated his energy several times. Soon, his qi and blood flowed smoothly again—he was completely uninjured.
This only deepened his shock.
He has reached perfection in both striking and withdrawing force… He spared me entirely.
Cold Moon smiled faintly.
"Young hero, your martial skill is indeed profound. Today, I concede defeat willingly and wholeheartedly."
Li Jian laughed.
"My thanks to both seniors for your instruction today. Another day, let us sit together, raise our cups, and drink to our hearts' content!"
Cold Moon burst into laughter.
"To share the same path is less than to forget each other in Jianghu!"
A surge of heroism rose in Li Jian's heart.
Looking up at the star-filled sky, slightly flushed with wine, he declared loudly:
"Though a thousand gold be spent, it shall return again!Heroes and fair maidens—let our passion be drunk!"
Lone Star smiled faintly, raised his jug, and poured wine into the heavens.
"In drifting confusion, something yet remains—Within wine lies a deeper meaning."
The three men looked at one another—and burst into laughter.
Heroic spirit surged through the field.
What had begun as a life-and-death contest had, in the end, transformed into a tale of kindred spirits.
The gathered heroes were deeply moved. Many in Jianghu gazed on with admiration, sighing that this battle was not only a clash of supreme skill—but also the meeting of true heroes.