On the ninth day of June, the hillside square of Camel Mountain in Xuzhou was overflowing with excitement and activity. On this day, martial artists and heroes from every corner of the land, the various canal transport guilds, the Beggars' Sect led by Chief Fei Jin, and warriors from across the rivers and lakes all gathered together. It was truly a scene of surging momentum and gathering storms.
The assembly grounds were already packed shoulder to shoulder, bustling with noise and movement. Banners of every clan and sect fluttered proudly in the wind as they attended this grand gathering of the canal guilds, a spectacle rarely seen in many years.
At the appointed hour, a loud voice suddenly cried out, "The auspicious hour has arrived!"
Not long after, someone at the center of the grounds shouted, "The ceremony begins! Sound the firecrackers!"
At once, bells and drums thundered together. The crackling of firecrackers mingled with roaring applause, marking the opening of the great gathering of heroes.
At the very center of the Bamboo Grove Temple plaza stood the martial arts arena. The tournament platform occupied the middle of the grounds, surrounded in a circle by seats reserved for honored guests.
To the left sat the Five Great Southern Canal Guilds:
Huai'an Guild — led by Chief Gao Tai Huaiyang Guild — led by Chief Tie Xin Liangxi Guild — led by Chief Duan Zheng Jiangdong Guild — led by Chief Nie Yun Zhuozhou Guild — led by Chief Liu Bufan
To the right sat the Five Great Northern Canal Guilds:
Salt Guild — led by Chief Zeng Qiang Dockworkers' Guild — led by Chief Zhang Cheng Xingwu Guild — led by Yang Linzhong Phoenix Guild — led by Chief Qiu Feng Xuzhou Guild — led by Xu Li
Martial artists continued streaming toward the venue without end. The gathering grounds had already become a sea of humanity, with banners blotting out the sky. Most participants were leading figures and members from the northern and southern canal guilds.
At this moment, Salt Guild Chief Zeng Qiang, accompanied by Phoenix Guild Chief Qiu Feng and Xuzhou Guild Chief Xu Li, walked to the center of the arena. The square was already densely crowded, banners waving overhead like clouds.
Chief Zeng of the Salt Guild was powerfully built and robust in stature. Dressed in a blue robe, with a full moon-like face and bright eyes like morning stars, he carried himself with heroic dignity.
He spoke loudly:
"Greetings to all heroes of the martial world and brothers of the canal guilds. I am Zeng Yong, Chief of the Salt Guild. Today, I am filled with immense joy as I offer my sincerest welcome and gratitude to all of you gathered here.
It is a rare occasion for the brothers of the canal guilds to come together in such unity. I hope that through this Heroes' Assembly, the guilds may exchange ideas, set aside old grudges, resolve disputes through dialogue, and transform hostility into friendship.
Therefore, the purpose of this gathering is for the guilds to meet every three years, to befriend one another through martial arts, and in all contests to observe the principle of stopping at the proper point, deciding victory without needless harm.
First, allow me to introduce our honored guests: Beggars' Sect Chief Fei, Fang Xiong the 'Hero Among Men,' the couple Deng Ling, Chief Judge Cui of the Judge Clan, Judge's Brush Li Yan, Judge's Blade Sun Tian…"
He paused briefly before continuing:
"There are far too many distinguished guests present today to introduce each one individually, so please forgive me. Your attendance is our greatest honor.
And now, let us invite the Chief of the Beggars' Sect to deliver the opening address."
At that moment, an elderly beggar in ragged clothing walked slowly into the center of the arena.
He had a square face, sparse whiskers beneath his chin, and a tall, sturdy frame with rough hands and feet. His robe was patched countless times, though kept remarkably clean. He appeared to be over sixty years old, and on his back hung a large vermilion wine gourd.
Stepping into the center, he spoke in a booming voice:
"Greetings to all heroes and brothers of the canal guilds. I am Fei Jin, Chief of the Beggars' Sect. It is my great honor to be invited to this grand occasion.
The brothers of the canal guilds sacrifice greatly and serve the people faithfully. Their deeds inspire admiration.
All of us are people of the martial world, and conflicts are inevitable when traveling the jianghu. Thus, we train in martial arts to strengthen ourselves. Today, since the guild brothers have gathered together, why not use this opportunity to exchange skills and learn from one another?
Though contests inevitably produce winners and losers, remember this well: all members of the canal guilds are brothers.
As the ancients once said: 'A gentleman who is respectful without fault, and courteous toward others, will find that within the four seas, all men are his brothers.'
The purpose of this gathering is not victory or defeat, but to triumph without arrogance and to lose without despair.
Lastly, this old beggar sincerely wishes for the complete success of the assembly!"
As his speech ended, thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. Fei Jin then returned to his seat by the edge of the arena.
Salt Guild Chief Zeng Qiang continued loudly:
"For this tournament, we are honored to have invited the Judge Clan to serve as arbiters of the competition.
Now let us welcome Chief Judge Cui of the martial world's Judge Clan. I hear he has a matter of great significance to announce to the jianghu!"
Amid loud applause, Cui Fujun stepped forward and spoke:
"Many thanks to Chief Zeng for the invitation. The Judge Clan upholds justice within the martial world. Since we serve as arbiters for this event, we shall enforce the rules fairly and impartially. We ask all contestants to respect the judgments of the judges.
Today, however, I have another matter to announce before all under heaven.
Some time ago, Master Liaoyin fought bitterly against the Western Holy Mother and perished after exhausting his strength. Martial artists everywhere were filled with grief and outrage upon hearing the news.
When Master Wutian of the Wutian Zen Sect heard that Liaoyin had died in battle against the Western Holy Mother, he too became enraged…"
At these words, the assembled crowd was stunned into silence before whispers spread rapidly among the heroes present. After all, Master Wutian himself was hardly regarded as righteous. His Wutian Zen Sect and the Western Holy Mother's Western Holy Cult were often considered birds of a feather.
Cui Fujun continued:
"Several days ago, Master Wutian entrusted the Judge Clan with arranging a duel against the Western Holy Mother, hoping to avenge Master Liaoyin.
Our clan has since negotiated the matter with the Western Holy Cult, and both sides have agreed to the duel.
The match shall take place on the twentieth day of this month at Huangshan Palace. We hope martial artists from all corners will come to witness the battle."
This announcement shook the martial world like thunder. Everyone present burst into uproar. Inwardly, many believed that Master Wutian's true purpose was not revenge for Liaoyin, but rather to use this event to humble the Western Holy Mother and elevate the prestige of the Wutian Zen Sect before all under heaven.
Just then, the sounds of flutes, strings, drums, gongs, and chimes echoed from nearby.
A massive procession entered the arena.
Disciples marched at the front carrying long banners embroidered with the phrases:
"Master Wutian""Boundless Buddhist Power""Divine Mystical Arts""Majestic Beneath Heaven"
The procession advanced into the assembly grounds and lined themselves neatly to either side.
At the center, attendants carried in a sedan chair.
As the chair was lowered, a middle-aged monk stepped out. His appearance was compassionate and dignified.
At once, the disciples shouted in unison:
"Master Wutian, who hears suffering and delivers the distressed,Compassionate at heart, relieving all misery, both merciful and mighty!
Master Wutian, whose Buddhist power knows no bounds,Without birth and without death,Coming from nowhere, going to nowhere!"