Marpa had come this time with a single objective: to strike the Fire Worship Sect. He had believed the operation to be absolutely confidential, yet somehow the news had leaked. At this critical moment, Beggars' Sect Chief Fei Jin unexpectedly arrived with his men. Fei Jin's fame had long spread throughout the martial world. Though advanced in years, his martial arts were superb. As a grandmaster of his generation, his profound cultivation and immense prestige commanded universal respect.
Now, however, Marpa's disgraceful past was laid bare one incident after another before the heroes of the Central Plains, leaving him deeply humiliated. Glaring furiously, he barked, "Enough of your lecturing! Leave now, or don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
The Dharma King Loben shouted sternly, "Have you forgotten the poisonous oath you swore before your master, Guru Gyalwa, and your senior brother, the Karmapa, that you would never again invade the Central Plains?"
Instead of being shaken, Marpa burst into loud laughter.
"Loben," he said, "I did indeed swear such an oath. But I swore only that I would never again harass the followers of the Church of the East. I never said I would refrain from attacking the Fire Worship Sect."
His words left the Great Dharma King Aluosi and Dharma King Loben speechless with anger. Only then did they realize how cunning Marpa truly was. He had indeed taken an oath years ago, but its wording was far narrower than they had remembered. He had merely promised never again to persecute the followers of the Church of the East—not never to invade the Central Plains.
He crossed into Lingzhou's land,
Betraying every debt of trust.
"How have I broken my solemn oath?"
The wicked fear judgment at last.
Chief Fei Jin stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Marpa, now that you bear the title of Dharma King, why do you break your word? What value does your promise have?"
Marpa sneered.
"As a Dharma King, before the Buddha himself, my word is honest and true. I have spoken no lie. I swore not to trouble the followers of the Church of the East. I never promised not to attack the Fire Worship Sect."
Fei Jin threw back his head and laughed.
"Very well! Back then, when your master Guru Gyalwa and Dharma King Kunbu invaded the Fire Worship Sect, this old beggar wasn't afraid of them. Do you really think I'd fear you?"
Marpa had come fully prepared and remained completely unfazed.
"In that case," he replied, "allow me to exchange a few moves with the Chief of the Beggars' Sect."
Fei Jin laughed heartily.
"Not so fast. My Beggars' Sect is filled with capable men. Why should I fight personally? A mere branch chief will do. Lu Rou—step forward!"
"Yes, Chief!"
Lu Rou immediately leapt into the arena. Raising his left hand and placing his right palm against it in salute, he said respectfully,
"Dharma King Marpa, please instruct me."
Seeing that Fei Jin had sent only a branch chief to face him, Marpa's expression turned cold.
"Boy, you're hardly worthy of crossing hands with me."
After a brief thought, he assumed the young man must be an unknown nobody and not worth his effort. Glancing toward his five disciples, he ordered,
"Tsering Wangdui, go test his abilities."
Privately he mused, Fei Jin is matching an inferior piece against my strongest—a clever tactical move. Let me see how we answer it.
Marpa's five disciples were Tsering Nyima, Tashi Delek, Tashi Dorje, Damba Dozi, and Tsering Wangdui.
Relying on his master's reputation, Tsering Wangdui swaggered forward.
"A mere Beggars' Sect branch chief dares challenge my master? You filthy beggar should first ask yourself whether you're even qualified!"
Lu Rou merely cupped his fists.
"Please make your move."
Tsering Wangdui snorted.
"I'll let you attack first."
Lu Rou raised his left hand, pressed his right fist into his left palm, and said,
"Then allow me to seek your instruction!"
The instant the words left his mouth, he shot forward like an arrow. Flying low across the ground, he struck first with the technique "Opening the Gate to See the Mountain."
The two immediately exchanged blows.
Even before their palms met, the fierce force of Lu Rou's palm blast swept toward his opponent. The moment Tsering Wangdui received the attack, he knew something was terribly wrong. The incoming palm force was astonishingly powerful, sending violent tremors through both of his arms.
Realizing he faced a genuine master, he hurriedly circulated his internal energy and unleashed the Prajna Palm. Executing the move "Prajna's Origin," his twin palms surged forward like crashing tidal waves. A roaring wind accompanied the strike as his left palm swept toward Lu Rou.
Lu Rou sidestepped lightly.
The attack missed.
Without hesitation, Tsering Wangdui followed with his right palm.
Lu Rou twisted aside once more. His left hand feinted outward while his wrist flipped with lightning speed, and his right palm floated gently forward.
The two palms collided.
Bang!
Tsering Wangdui was hurled straight backward through the air before crashing heavily onto the ground.
"Ugh!"
He spat out a mouthful of blood.
The crowd stood stunned.
None had expected that this ordinary beggar could unleash such terrifying power with what appeared to be a casual strike.
Behind Lu Rou, the Four Elders of the Beggars' Sect exchanged delighted glances. Secretly they rejoiced.
The tiger-bone wine and bear-bone wine truly are miraculous!
Lu Rou had already possessed considerable skill. After drinking the two medicinal wines over the previous few days, his internal cultivation had increased by more than twenty years.
Even Lu Rou himself had never imagined that such a seemingly effortless palm strike could produce such overwhelming force.
Equally astonished, he hurried forward several steps, cupped his fists apologetically, and said,
"I struck too heavily. Please accept my sincere apologies."
Seeing the astonishing strength of this beggar, Dharma King Marpa signaled with his eyes.
At once, his remaining four disciples sprang forward and surrounded Lu Rou.
The eldest disciple, Tsering Nyima, sneered.
"What hypocritical concern!"
The second disciple, Tashi Delek, snorted.
"Like a weasel paying New Year's respects to a chicken!"
The third disciple, Tashi Dorje, shouted angrily,
"You filthy beggar! Your attack was vicious!"
The fourth disciple, Damba Dozi, seeing Tsering Wangdui lying grievously injured, roared,
"Enough talk! We'll avenge our junior brother!"
As he spoke, Tashi Delek suddenly launched himself forward, striking directly at Lu Rou's head, while at the same instant Tashi Dorje attacked from behind.
Though Lu Rou had astonished everyone in his first battle, he remained calm and did not underestimate his opponents. Raising both palms, he met their attacks head-on before suddenly pivoting aside in a swift evasive movement...