Wu Tong thought to himself that since Karmapa seemed willing to call a truce, he might as well hear him out. He then said aloud,"Karmapa, if you have an idea, let's hear it!"
Karmapa's tone softened as he replied,"My proposal is simple. While King Luoben holds the scripture, I will take a brief look at it—just a moment will suffice."
Xu Sheng, the "Thunderbolt Palm," thought this was reasonable—no need to risk life and limb over a single scripture. He immediately said,"I want to see it too!"
Abbas, hearing this, added,"I want to see it as well!"
Seeing that the situation could be resolved peacefully, Wu Tong spoke up:"I've already looked at the scripture. Apart from the text, there's nothing unusual—just four large characters written in gold ink. What do you think, King Luoben? Let them have a look."
Luoben considered briefly. If it was as they said, there would be no harm in letting them see it. He replied,"Very well. I'll let the three of you examine it. I hope you will keep your word and allow the scripture to return to our sect afterward."
Karmapa turned to Abbas and Xu Sheng and said,"That's only fair. No objections, I presume?"Both nodded in agreement.
To avoid any mishap, Luoben allowed them to view the scripture one at a time. Once all three had examined it, he quickly retrieved it and tucked it back into his robes. Then he declared,"In the sacred name of the World-Honored One, I command all evil spirits to depart! Thanks to your cooperation, the scripture may now return to our sect."
Wu Tong suddenly added,"I told you—there's no real secret in it!"
But Xu Sheng exclaimed in surprise,"Other than the text, each page has a large character written on it. Read in order, they form the phrase: 'Among the Ten Great Cities.'"
Karmapa then addressed Abbas and Xu Sheng again:"There are four volumes in total, each containing a sixteen-character riddle. Without solving it, the scriptures are useless."He paused, then turned back and asked,"Do you still want it?"
Abbas reacted as if he had encountered something unholy. He quickly said,"Allah is the one true God! I want nothing to do with such scriptures!"
Xu Sheng, somewhat disappointed, said to Abbas,"Looks like this deal was a loss. Let's go find the descendants of the Persian prince instead."After signaling to Karmapa, he left with Abbas and the others.
Once they had departed, Karmapa turned back and said,"To be honest, the Tidao Chapter is in my possession. I might as well tell you the four-character clue: 'Return to My Treasure.' It's of no use to me—perhaps when fate allows, I will return it."
Luoben hurriedly expressed his thanks, and Karmapa soon took his leave as well.
At that moment, the estate master stepped forward and said,"Matters of the martial world should be settled within the martial world."After checking Li Jian's pulse, he added,"You're lucky—just a minor internal injury. But you youngster don't understand the rules of the jianghu. How could you ask a senior to strike first? Good thing this young lady saved you, or you'd be crippled—or worse!"
Li Jian reflected that, even if he had known the rules, he still wouldn't have known how to begin.
Wu Tong turned and said,"Why don't you thank Wei'er?"Li Jian nodded and turned to express his gratitude.
Wu Tong then added,"People of the jianghu follow its rules—its matters should be handled in its way, without involving innocents. If that fight had continued, you would have stepped in, and your peaceful life of retirement—admiring chrysanthemums, drinking wine, composing poetry—would have been disrupted."
The estate master laughed and said,"No matter! Since retiring, I stroll with my wife at sunset, enjoy fine moments under the moon, drink, chat, and recite poetry—what could be more pleasant? But when it comes to matters of national importance, even the smallest issue becomes significant."
Luoben then asked,"Wu Tong, could you introduce this senior to me?"
Wu Tong replied,"Oh, I almost forgot—this is Han Zhen, known as 'Loyal Heart of Crimson Blood,' once as famous as your sect's 'Celestial Envoy,' the Grand Master Aluos."
Luoben quickly said,"So it is Senior Han! I've long heard your name, like thunder in my ears, though we've never met."
Han Zhen smiled and said,"I'm no senior. I've retired to the mountains—just a jug of rough wine, contemplating life and observing the world."He then recited:
"Why do I dwell in the green mountains? I smile without reply, my heart at ease.Peach blossoms drift away with flowing streams—There is another world beyond the realm of men."
(The poem is "A Question Answered in the Mountains" by Li Bai of the Tang dynasty.)
All present were captivated, both by his words and his dignified presence.
Suddenly, Han Zhen turned to Wu Tong and said,"A true man achieves merit in distant lands—how can he remain bound to brush and ink? What should one with ambition do?"
Wu Tong answered,"If you do not enter the tiger's den, how can you catch its cub?"
The two exchanged a glance, then declared in unison,"Whoever offends the Great Tang—even from afar—shall be punished!"
Though bold and arrogant, everyone present felt this was the true spirit of a martial hero. The scene left a deep impression on Li Jian, stirring his emotions long afterward.
Luoben then said,"I won't disturb your reunion. Our sect has many matters to attend to. Thank you all for your help in returning the Tianwei Chapter. We shall meet again someday—farewell!"
With a respectful salute, he departed.
As night had fallen, the group stayed at the estate for dinner and lodging. That evening, Han Zhen used his inner energy to treat Li Jian's injuries and noted his weak internal foundation. Meanwhile, Han Zhen's wife, Yang Mi, quickly bonded with Tan Wei. Moved by her hardships, the couple decided to prepare a treasured medicinal herb—Cistanche—stewed with chicken for them.
Cistanche, known as the "desert ginseng," is a rare and highly valued medicinal plant found in desert regions.
The next morning, Li Jian awoke early. As he stretched, his joints crackled loudly, and his internal injuries seemed miraculously healed. His body felt lighter and more agile.
He went to the courtyard to practice. He soon realized that the true qi in his dantian was far more abundant than before. Guided by his mind, the energy flowed through the extraordinary and primary meridians, circulating throughout his body. Within a quarter of an hour, the cycle was complete.
He then practiced external techniques—the Sixteen Palms of Beiming.
Palm strikes thundered like waves of a vast ocean. His movements were swift and powerful, his intent guiding every strike. Wherever his palm force landed, small trees snapped instantly.
When he executed "Overturning Mountains and Seas," fallen leaves swirled like a storm, birds scattering in fright. Finally, with the move "Mountain Collapse and Tsunami," he shouted,"Strike!"
A tree before him broke clean in two.