Watching the four men, including the Jiangnan Freaks, flee in utter defeat, "Western Madman" Situ Kong clapped his hands and burst into laughter.
"Ha! So the two old foxes ran away! Weren't they the ones preaching, 'A true man may be killed but never humiliated'? Weren't they saying that even outlaws of the jianghu would never apologize or admit fault because it was a matter of principle? And now? The moment they couldn't win, they turned tail and fled! The Jiangnan Freaks have truly disgraced themselves!"
Tan Wei smiled and said, "I really thought the Jiangnan Freaks were heroes of extraordinary spirit. Who would've guessed they'd choose the best strategy of the thirty-six — running away!"
At that moment, Madam Li Jing, the wife of the Huai'an Sect leader, untied her daughter's bonds and approached with her. Bowing respectfully, she said, "Thanks to the righteous intervention of you three heroes, my daughter and I were saved. We offer our deepest gratitude for your life-saving kindness."
As the mother and daughter bent their knees to kneel, Tan Wei quickly reached out with both hands to stop them.
"To uphold justice and aid the weak has always been the creed of the Zhongyi Hall. Madam and Miss Gao, please rise."
After standing, Li Jing said, "I am Li Jing, wife of Gao Tianming, leader of the Huai'an Sect. This is my daughter, Gao Manqing. Today we came to the temple to burn incense and pray for my husband's success at the upcoming Canal Heroes Assembly in Xuzhou. Who could have expected we would encounter such villains here?"
Situ Kong laughed loudly.
"Madam, you were truly fortunate. You happened to meet the greatest young hero in the world today, who personally drove off the Jiangnan Freaks with his palms!"
Li Jing bowed toward the elderly man before her.
"May I ask this senior's honored name? Please forgive my ignorance."
Tan Wei's bright eyes darted mischievously as she suppressed a smile.
"Madam is about to be greatly surprised. This elder is none other than the famed eccentric master of the martial world — 'Western Madman' Situ Kong!"
Li Jing gasped in astonishment.
"So it is truly Senior Situ! I was blind and failed to recognize Mount Tai itself. To meet your true face today is my great fortune!"
Indeed:
In the vast jianghu,Who knows where heroes hide?
Situ Kong was one of the supreme masters of the martial world, a figure rarely seen by ordinary people. Yet upon hearing such praise, he actually looked embarrassed.
"What great senior? I'm just a useless old man!"
Tan Wei teased him with a grin.
"Senior Situ, your fame is known throughout the world, and yet you still act shy!"
Then, in a dramatically elevated tone, she recited:
"The Eastern Maverick roams in wild abandon,The Western Madman soars in lofty madness.Though few have seen their true appearances,The two stand equal beneath heaven."
The Eastern Maverick and Western Madman were both legendary reclusive masters, famed across the jianghu for their unfathomable martial arts. The martial world had even composed this doggerel verse in their honor, proof enough of their extraordinary abilities.
Li Jian also chimed in.
"Senior Situ's martial arts are peerless — unmatched in the past and unsurpassed in the future!"
Situ Kong was delighted beyond measure.
"People in the jianghu love exaggerating. Most of those rumors are nonsense! Madam, you flatter me. The true number one under heaven is the Hall Master of Zhongyi Hall standing before you!"
Li Jing replied earnestly, "Your saving grace shall forever remain engraved upon my heart. Why not accompany me back to the Huai'an Sect? We would gladly prepare a banquet to thank you properly for your kindness."
Thus:
"In disaster I encountered noble friends,Peerless heroes beyond compare.With heartfelt gratitude I invite you,A welcoming feast to cleanse the dust of travel."
Li Jian and the others gladly accepted the invitation and accompanied her to the Huai'an Sect.
The Huai'an Sect was headquartered in Huai'an, strategically situated along major waterways. Thanks to the prosperity of river transport, merchant ships crowded the canals, traders gathered in abundance, and Huai'an flourished as a bustling center of commerce.
The sect's grand estate was magnificent and imposing, with an enormous front courtyard. Yet at this moment it was filled with noise and commotion. From within came the sounds of fierce combat — gusting palms, shouted battle cries, and the leaps and movements of fighters. A heavy aura of tension hung in the air.
The two young men currently fighting in the courtyard were Tie Xiong, son of Tie Xin, leader of the Huaiyang Sect, and Zhang Hao, son of Zhang Cheng, leader of the Dockworkers' Guild.
Tie Xiong was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in a dark robe that gave him a bold and heroic appearance. Zhang Hao was similarly tall, wearing a white embroidered satin robe that immediately revealed his wealthy background.
Tie Xiong raised his left arm and struck out with his right palm. Zhang Hao did not dodge; instead, he met the attack head-on. Their palms collided with a loud bang. Both youths staggered violently and retreated several steps before regaining their footing.
Tie Xiong snarled angrily, "Zhang Hao! You know perfectly well that I love Manqing, yet you still dared to secretly come here and propose marriage! Did you think the Huaiyang Sect wouldn't hear about it?"
Zhang Hao smirked.
"The young mistress of the Huai'an Sect is so beautiful — why shouldn't I come propose? A graceful and virtuous lady is sought after by gentlemen. Men should marry when grown, and women should wed when of age. Isn't that perfectly natural? Yet here you are causing trouble. The groom certainly isn't going to be you!"
Earlier that day, Zhang Cheng of the Dockworkers' Guild had indeed come to propose marriage. Upon hearing this, Tie Xiong had hurriedly begged his father, Tie Xin, to rush over as well, terrified that someone else might win the woman he loved.
Now, hearing Zhang Hao mock him, his anger erupted.
"You think you're worthy of the Huai'an Sect's daughter? A toad dreaming of swan meat! Why don't you look in a mirror first?"
Zhang Hao's face darkened instantly.
"If I'm a toad, then what are you — the handsome Pan An reborn? Stop flattering yourself. We're about the same. Enough talk — let our palms decide!"
With that, he leapt forward, rushing in and throwing a fierce punch toward Tie Xiong's face. Confident that his martial arts exceeded Tie Xiong's, the strike came swift and ruthless.
Tie Xiong laughed loudly. Twisting slightly aside, he avoided the attack with ease. His sleeves swept upward as he countered with a returning strike. Spinning around, he suddenly launched a backfist toward Zhang Hao's face.
Zhang Hao was startled and hurriedly raised an arm to block. Shifting sideways, he answered with another punch of his own.
In the blink of an eye, the two were once again locked in fierce combat.
Punches and kicks flew relentlessly between them. Truly:
"Fists that strike fierce tigers of the southern mountains,Feet that kick flood dragons of the northern seas."
It was a battle between dragon and tiger.
Just as the two youths fought with increasing ferocity, a thunderous voice suddenly rang out:
"Both of you, stop at once!"
Though the voice belonged to a middle-aged woman, it boomed like a great bell. Hearing the command, Tie Xiong and Zhang Hao were both startled and immediately leapt backward apart from each other…