Cui Fujun was secretly growing anxious. The martial arts contest had already been carefully arranged, yet the two masters had begun fighting ahead of schedule. He had already been troubled over how to bring the matter to a proper close, but now that the pair had provoked conflict with the old man, the situation became even more impossible to control.
What worried him most, however, was this: if the grand tournament at Huangshan Palace could no longer proceed, what would happen to the ticket business?
The old man possessed peerless martial arts—how could he possibly let the matter rest so easily?
Suddenly, two flashes of cold lightning burst from his eyes. Instantly, he leapt into the air. His movement was swift as the wind as he soared forward through the sky. Both palms shot out with meteoric speed, his strikes fierce enough to stir roaring gusts of air, carrying overwhelming force toward the vital points of the two opponents.
In that instant, facing such a formidable enemy, both the Western Holy Mother and Venerable Wutian found themselves utterly unable to discern the old man's martial lineage. Who exactly was he?
Before their thoughts could settle, the enemy's palm force was already pressing down upon them like crashing waves. Feeling the terrifying pressure of the incoming strikes, the two dared not hesitate. There was no other choice but to meet force with force.
At once, both rapidly circulated their internal energy to defend themselves.
With twin cries, the two received the attacks head-on.
In the blink of an eye, all three unleashed the full extent of their lifelong martial arts. Fierce exchanges erupted one after another, strange techniques and supreme skills flowing endlessly. After more than ten moves, the Western Holy Mother and Venerable Wutian joined forces to surround the old man.
Yet the elder calmly received their attacks with alternating hands. Suddenly crouching low, he flipped his wrists and drove his palms downward. His movements came and went like flashes of lightning—striking, grabbing, shifting endlessly with profound and mysterious transformations.
He bent his waist, extended an arm, and two loud smacking sounds rang out as palms collided.
Then he pivoted again—another two explosive clashes echoed through the arena.
The next instant, both the Western Holy Mother and Venerable Wutian were blasted backward by the shock force. Their bodies tilted violently as they were hurled several feet through the air.
After landing, neither could steady themselves immediately. Dizzy and disoriented, they nearly collapsed to the ground, staggering backward five consecutive steps before finally regaining balance.
Just then, someone suddenly stepped out from the edge of the arena and shouted loudly:
"Senior, your martial arts are unmatched! This junior admires you greatly! Might you be the legendary 'Eastern Madman,' Senior Duanmu Song?"
The gathered heroes were utterly stunned.
Though appearances could indeed be deceiving, even now none of them dared believe that the old man before them was truly the famed "Eastern Madman" Duanmu Song!
This man possessed supreme martial arts and stood equally renowned alongside the "Western Maniac," Situ Kong.
At that moment, two men emerged from the crowd—it was the pair from the Judge Clan.
Judge Brush Li Yan chanted aloud:
"The Eastern Madman harbors boundless spirit,
The Western Maniac's heroic thoughts soar free.
None recognize their true faces,
Yet both stand peerless in the world."
Li Yan's flattering praise greatly pleased the old man.
Indeed, the elder was none other than the "Eastern Madman," Duanmu Song.
A smile appeared upon his face as he nodded approvingly. The members of the Judge Clan continued pouring praise upon him, extolling his unmatched martial prowess.
At the same time, Judge Blade Sun Tian quickly stepped forward and added:
"Both the Eastern Madman and the Western Maniac are towering figures of the jianghu, their martial arts mysterious and renowned throughout the world. We beg Senior's magnanimity. The Western Holy Mother and Venerable Wutian unintentionally offended you today. The two are already scheduled to duel on the twentieth of this month at Huangshan Palace. Their behavior today was discourteous indeed—we humbly ask your forgiveness."
Duanmu Song was greatly pleased by these words.
Casting a cold glance toward the Western Holy Mother and Venerable Wutian, he said deeply:
"Ignorant juniors. This sovereign shall spare you both—for now."
At this moment, both the Western Holy Mother and Venerable Wutian had pale faces. The situation had entirely slipped beyond their control. After hearing the old man's rebuke, neither dared answer back, fearing they might provoke this terrifying expert once again.
Recalling their earlier arrogance, both felt deep regret.
Meanwhile, the three members of the Judge Clan respectfully bowed and proclaimed loudly:
"Senior's heavenly mercy shall never be forgotten by us juniors!"
Duanmu Song's actions in disciplining the Western Holy Mother and Venerable Wutian were not meant as a deliberate display of skill, yet he had stopped at precisely the right moment. Naturally, he won thunderous applause from the assembled heroes, fully displaying the bearing of a true grandmaster.
Had the three members of the Judge Clan not stepped forward with sweet words and lavish praise, constantly flattering the "Eastern Madman" Duanmu Song, matters today might have spiraled completely out of control.
The Western Holy Mother and Venerable Wutian had offended Duanmu Song gravely. Enraged, he might very well have seriously crippled the two.
Fortunately, the Judge Clan trio possessed years of experience wandering the jianghu and understood human nature well. Hearing their endless compliments, Duanmu Song's mood brightened considerably, and he wisely chose to let the matter rest.
Otherwise, why would he ever have given face to the Judge Clan?
Duanmu Song then declared:
"I came here today hoping to witness the elegance of the great heroes of this age. Yet what did I find instead? A pack of frauds chasing hollow fame!"
"These people proclaim themselves champions of justice and incarnations of chivalry. In my eyes, they are merely boasters seeking reputation and empty glory."
"In those years, when the Western Maniac and I drank wine and crossed fists together—that was what true heroes looked like!"
As memories of his youthful glory resurfaced, he could not help sighing deeply with emotion.
Indeed:
Since ancient times, beauties lament growing old,
And heroes can only mourn their whitening hair.
The glory of the past is gone forever;
Spring and autumn pass, urging men toward age,
Leaving only helpless sighs behind.
"Godfather, why have you come here?!"
The crowd turned and saw a middle-aged woman approaching. To everyone's astonishment, she was none other than Qiu Feng, leader of the Phoenix Clan.
The "Eastern Madman" Duanmu Song turned his head and burst into laughter.
"My little Feng'er, are you unwilling to let your godfather come here?"
Before Qiu Feng could answer, another voice rang out:
"Duanmu, after causing such chaos here and intimidating the Western Holy Mother and Venerable Wutian with your peerless martial arts, I fear none of the transport clans will dare participate in today's competition anymore!"
Duanmu Song looked toward the speaker.
Who else could it be but the Western Maniac, Situ Kong?
Immediately, Duanmu Song laughed heartily, standing tall and proud as he replied with booming energy:
"Since that boy Wu Tong of the Loyalist Hall refuses to manage affairs, and you yourself would not step forward to discipline those two, they turned this entire gathering into utter chaos! I simply could not stand by and watch."
"So I had no choice but to come down personally and help restore some order to the jianghu. Besides, the new hall master of the Loyalist Hall is still wet behind the ears. It would not be suitable for him to forcefully intervene in such matters. Wouldn't you agree?"
Both the Eastern Madman and the Western Maniac were extraordinary heroes possessing unmatched skills. In their youth, they had journeyed through the jianghu side by side, sharing life and hardship together, and thus their friendship ran exceedingly deep.
Situ Kong laughed loudly.
"We should have simply watched the show. Who told you to meddle in other people's business?"
But upon hearing this, Duanmu Song immediately cursed aloud:
"If they wish to flaunt their power normally, I care not! But they should at least choose the proper occasion!"
"They already agreed to settle matters at Huangshan Palace. Why insist on showing off here today? Their actions were utterly overbearing and disrespectful!"
"If I had not taught them a lesson today, then in the future, relying on their martial arts alone, they would only become even more tyrannical and rampage through the martial world unchecked!"
Indeed:
Beyond every man stands another greater still.
Beyond every heaven lies another sky.
No matter how strong one may be,
there is always someone stronger yet.