The Heroes' Assembly at Mount Lingjiu
It was said that the leader of the Zichen Sect convened a grand Heroes' Assembly on Mount Lingjiu. Heroic invitations had been sent throughout the martial world, summoning warriors to gather on the twentieth day of the sixth lunar month.
On that day, colorful banners fluttered across Mount Lingjiu. The temples and halls of the Zichen Sect were lavishly decorated with flowers and ornaments. Heroes from every corner of the realm arrived one after another. The front hall, rear hall, east and west wings of the sect headquarters were packed with martial artists. Although fewer than fifty people actually possessed the official Hero's Invitation, countless others came simply to witness the spectacle. Including all the visitors, the gathering easily numbered over a thousand.
Li Jian and Beggars' Sect Chief Fei Jin also arrived at Mount Lingjiu. At that moment the mountain was overflowing with people. Whether martial heroes or local dignitaries, everyone crowded the plaza before the main hall until there was scarcely room to move. After all, a Heroes' Assembly on Mount Lingjiu was one of the greatest events in the martial world, creating an enormous sensation even before it began.
Only those carrying a Hero's Invitation were permitted into the Heroes' Banquet. Guards carefully inspected each invitation before allowing anyone to enter. Li Jian and Fei Jin's group proceeded toward the banquet entrance, where the Zichen Sect's Four Envoys—Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Lightning—were standing guard.
Wind Envoy Lin Han and Fire Envoy Xue Hu were checking invitations.
As Li Jian and his companions approached, Lin Han's eyes lit up. Stepping forward respectfully, he said,
"Beggars' Sect Chief, Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, welcome to the Heroes' Assembly. Please, this way."
Fei Jin replied,
"Our Beggars' Sect has only one invitation. May our Four Elders enter as well?"
Lin Han answered,
"Chief Fei, please wait a moment while we consult our superiors."
Li Jian added,
"The Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness also received only one invitation. May Miss Tan accompany us?"
Lin Han respectfully replied,
"Hall Master Li, your reputation is known throughout the realm. Please allow us a moment while we seek instructions."
With a meaningful glance from Lin Han, Thunder Envoy Zhou Ming immediately ran off to report to the sect leadership.
Moments later, Azure Dragon Sage King Lin Da and White Tiger Sage King Dong Sheng hurried over and cupped their fists.
"Heroes, forgive our delayed welcome. Our Sect Leader has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Please come inside and take your seats."
Thus Li Jian's party entered the banquet hall without further difficulty.
Just then, a lean man in his sixties approached the entrance. Squinting through narrow eyes and carrying a Judge's Brush in one hand, he held a Hero's Invitation. He was the martial artist known as the Silver Hook Judge.
Two young men attempted to follow behind him but were immediately stopped.
Wind Envoy Lin Han shouted,
"You two! Without a Hero's Invitation, you may not enter!"
One of them, Qian Ge, protested,
"Those people before us didn't all have invitations either. Why were they allowed in?"
Fire Envoy Xue Hu barked,
"Those four are the Four Elders of the Beggars' Sect! And that lady is the Hall Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness's beloved companion! Who do you think you are? No invitation, no entry! Move along!"
The Heroes' Assembly was decorated with countless fluttering banners bearing the slogans:
"Gather to Defend the Dharma"
"Uphold Justice."
Inside and outside the venue, people formed an endless sea of humanity. Every hero and martial artist had gathered for the Protector of the Dharma Heroes' Assembly. For anyone who loved grand occasions, it was an event not to be missed.
As the hour of Chen arrived (around eight in the morning), a loud gong echoed across the mountain.
Four sturdy men burst into the arena. Embroidered across their backs were the characters Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Lightning. They were the Four Envoys:
Wind Envoy — Lin HanFire Envoy — Xue HuThunder Envoy — Zhou MingLightning Envoy — Fang Yu
They were followed by four women in their thirties carrying fresh flowers into the arena. They were the Four Immortal Maidens:
Fairy JiFairy HeFairy LiFairy Yao
Next came the Four Sacred Kings:
Azure Dragon Sage King — Lin DaWhite Tiger Sage King — Dong ShengVermilion Bird Sage King — Song JieBlack Tortoise Sage King — Mo Chao
Finally, four young attendants entered.
In clear voices they announced,
"The Sect Leader of the Zichen Sect has arrived!"
The Sect Leader strode into the arena in magnificent style. At once, the disciples of the Zichen Sect chanted loudly:
"Holy Zichen Sect, guide us to the Way.
Through sacred teachings we attain immortality.
Cultivate the Dao and protect all living beings.
Spread the teachings, relieve suffering,
And bless the people of the world."
The disciples continued their hymn:
"Holy Mother of the Zichen Sect,
Great in virtue and boundless in compassion;
Sincere without end,
Upholding benevolence and righteousness,
Spreading the Way across the land."
The Sect Leader stepped onto the center of the arena and addressed the gathering.
"Fellow martial artists and honored heroes,
Recently, the Martial Demon has reappeared in the jianghu. Every major sect that sought to suppress him has suffered defeat. Master Liaoyin of Shaolin, while defending the true Buddhist Dharma and speaking out in righteousness, was murdered by the Western Holy Sect.
At this turbulent moment for the martial world, our sect, acting under Heaven's mandate, has summoned heroes from every corner of the realm to gather today on Mount Lingjiu.
Together we pledge to defend the righteous path, uphold justice, oppose evil, and promote virtue.
Therefore, we hereby establish the Defenders of the Dharma Heroes' Alliance."
At that very moment, a thunderous voice echoed across the assembly.
"The Alliance Leader of the Justice Alliance has arrived!"
The crowd exchanged bewildered glances.
"This is the Defenders of the Dharma Heroes' Assembly. Why has another alliance come here?"
A large group forcefully entered the banquet grounds, brushing aside the guards stationed outside.
Sect Leader Cai Chen immediately realized that trouble had come looking for him.
The Martial Demon strode confidently into the arena, accompanied by his band of outlaws.
The members of the Justice Alliance shouted in unison:
"Long live the Justice Alliance Leader!
Wise and righteous beyond compare!
Hero among heroes!
May the Justice Alliance unite the martial world!"
Every one of these men possessed formidable martial arts. Their combined voices were so powerful that each seemed equal to ten ordinary men.
Then the Ageless Heavenly Demon stepped forward from the crowd.
His expression was cold, his eyes flashed like lightning, and his sharp gaze swept across the entire assembly.
In a ringing voice he declared,
"Our Alliance Leader commands the hearts of the world!
Heroes of the martial world, why not join the Justice Alliance?"
Sect Leader Cai Chen signaled with his eyes.
The Four Sacred Kings immediately leapt forward.
Azure Dragon Sage King Lin Da shouted,
"Ageless Heavenly Demon! Your Justice Alliance was never invited. Have you come here simply to cause trouble?"
The Ageless Heavenly Demon sneered.
"So what if we have?"
White Tiger Sage King Dong Sheng immediately stepped forward.
"Take this first!"
Before the last word had left his mouth, he had already launched himself through the air. With two swift bounds, he struck fiercely at the Ageless Heavenly Demon.
The Ageless Heavenly Demon casually swept aside the attack with one arm. As his palm moved and his body shifted in perfect harmony, he smiled and said,
"There is an old saying: 'A friend who comes from afar deserves a warm welcome.' Yet this is how your sect receives its guests?"
Dong Sheng angrily retorted,
"When an evil guest comes knocking, sometimes the only answer is to let the dogs loose!"