When Wang Chongyang caught up with the stout youth, he saw Xiao Ziru's team fleeing in the distance. He surmised that Shi Weigeng's main contingent, which had been delayed, might have been attacked ahead. Wang Chongyang exerted himself, leaping onto the steep mountain slope and疾驰ing with his body tilted. In less than two incense sticks' time, he had overtaken Xiao's team and plunged into the dense forest of variously colored maple trees.
As Wang Chongyang emerged from the woods, the scene before him caused him to slow his pace—Lin Chaoying was being besieged by Meng Hanguang, the island master of Niudao Gang, Dai Yinxiang, the leader of Baye Gang, Zhen Zhengguang, Jie Wushan, and several brothers of the Wei Wu Alliance, with the "Tiger Ice Formation" poised to strike. Xiao Ziru and Wan Xilan, who had just arrived, joined the fray, while Shi Weigeng watched from the side, his hands clasped behind his back. Not far from them, Fang Lianzheng was facing Wu Nanying, and further away, amidst four apricot trees, the sounds of shouting and whipping could be faintly heard.
During the Jin army's siege of the founding duke's mansion, Niudao Gang had lost two senior members, and the nephew of Baye Gang leader Zhen, who led a group there, was still missing. Shi Weigeng, attributing the incident to Mao Ya's planning, invited the two gangs to assist. Zhen Zhengguang's ultimate skill, the "Eight Pernicious Hands of Field Destruction," emulated the characteristics of eight types of field pests, embodying destructive and insidious power that had established his reputation and instilled fear for a century. Zhen Zhengguang's "Thrips File Palm," like a thrip scraping leaves, specialized in nullifying and dispelling sword attacks. Combined with his swift evasion footwork, the "Night Moth Steps," and the "Red Mite Finger Flick" that could break protective energy, he became the main force intercepting Lin Chaoying's advance to rendezvous.
Wan Xilan watched intently as the approaching Wang Chongyang, worried he might impulsively go to the aid of that demonic woman, thus ruining his reputation, slowly drew nearer.
Le Fu, pursuing vigorously, saw Sun Bole rush past her like an arrow. Recalling what she had heard him investigate along the way, she looked at Wang Chongyang's silhouette glimpsed through the tree gaps in the distance, praying he wouldn't act foolishly out of infatuation.
Sun Bole had apprehended Xiao Ziru's assistant along the way and, through "threats and inducements," forced him to reveal the truth: Chong Yuwu had informed Xiao Ziru that Mao Ya was blind, and he had overheard Wu Nanying's plan to divide their forces. Xiao Ziru had secretly notified Shi Weigeng, who then invited experts from the "Lao Da Zen Monastery" and other sects to lie in wait on the western route, while he himself went east to intercept Lin Chaoying. This was the reason Wang Chongyang had been left at the original location. Sun Bole, consumed by fury and extreme anxiety, burst into the dense forest. Upon seeing Wang Chongyang, he grabbed his hand and said, "Quick! Go save her." However, Wang Chongyang grabbed his forearm in return. Staring into his eyes, Wang Chongyang understood his intentions. In an instant, anger surged to his head, and he cursed, "Don't even compare yourself to Mao Ya; even I, Sun Bole, have given more! You, Wang Shixiong, are the person least worthy of Lin Chaoying in this world!" With the "Seemingly Non-Existent Hand" technique, he broke free and, regardless of the consequences, plunged into the battle.
Wan Xilan and Le Fu, having overheard and witnessed this, both felt an inexplicable wave of disappointment and heartbreak.
"Sun Bole, you actually harbor the Jin regime's lackeys and that demonic woman! Do you wish to become a traitor to the nation?" Jie Wushan shouted. The other members of the Wei Wu Alliance also accused him of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country, completely ruining his reputation. Sun Bole remained silent, desperately blocking for Lin Chaoying and attempting to disrupt the enemy's formation. Lin Chaoying, however, was being steadily pushed back by Zhen Zhengguang and adopted a defensive stance. Zhen Zhengguang saw an opening on her left flank, crouched down, and lashed out with a rapid grab, using his "Aphid Soft Claw" to sever tendons and rupture veins. Lin Chaoying sneered, finally able to draw the insects out of their holes, and employed "Flower Meeting Rain Tribulation" in conjunction with "Four Steps Along the Curve." She moved like the wind, her sword descending like rain, while the enemy, like flowers in a garden, had nowhere to hide. Zhen Zhengguang, unable to execute his "Night Moth Steps" in time, was immediately struck by swords on his right thigh, hip, waist, and shoulder.
Still wondering why the Jin lord Yong would strike at his trusted retainers, he reasoned that decapitating this demon would double his prestige in officialdom and the martial world. Now, with the unexpected defection of Sun Bole, would Wang Chongyang and the demonic woman "join swords" again? Shi Weigeng frowned, hastily devising a countermeasure, when suddenly a palm strike came from above, hitting his head and all sides. He quickly countered with the Shaolin Prajnaparamita Palm's "Benevolent Crossing of the Dharma," drawing large and small arcs in mid-air with his palms to clear the attack.
Chong Yuwu, failing in his attack, landed and immediately shouted, "You running dog of Jin lord Yong, using the hands of Song patriots to help him eliminate his rivals!" Shi Weigeng sneered, "You're using the killing move 'Five Peaks Electric Shock' from the Dark Swordsman's martial arts. Who exactly is the Jin dog's lackey?" Chong Yuwu retorted, "What's wrong with using barbarians to control barbarians? It's not like you betraying your benefactors! I promoted you, and you plotted to seize power, and your good brother Meng Tiankai suffered even worse betrayal!"
Already troubled, Shi Weigeng became agitated by this lunatic's slander and said, "Absurd! It was you who incited people to surrender to the Jin, leading to your wanted status by the authorities. That fool Meng Tiankai was tricked by you and became a traitor..." Chong Yuwu interjected, "The lifelong love of the fool Meng Tiankai was snatched by you, abused, and then discarded like a worn-out shoe. You even committed adultery with women from the gang." Shi Weigeng, seeing Lin Chaoying about to break through the defense, angrily retorted, "Nonsense! Fang Qiu and I were already in love, it was Meng Tiankai who interfered..."
Chong Yuwu said, "So you knew of his unrequited affection all along, and used it to manipulate and control him. No wonder you call Meng Tiankai a fool."
Shi Weigeng sensed something was wrong and quickly defended himself, but a dark shadow had already extended its claws towards his nape. Le Fu rushed forward, blocking with a palm strike, like surging waves, striking repeatedly. Although the movements of this palm technique were simple, they contained the principles of Yin and Yang, and the derivations of the Eight Trigrams. Unfortunately, her skill was not yet perfected. The dark shadow, with several agile, monkey-like twists and turns, dodged Le Fu and, from an unexpected angle, lunged with five outstretched fingers towards Shi Weigeng's chest. A pregnant woman flashed out, shielding Shi Weigeng with her outstretched arms and saying, "Tian, it's only because my heart was not firm. If you want revenge, find me. Please spare my husband, okay?"
Staring at Fang Qiu's expression, Meng Tiankai clasped his hands together in front of his chest, constantly scratching his shoulders, only making a "huhu" sound.
Le Fu saw tears welling up in his eyes and her heart sank further. She took out the small celadon-glazed porcelain bottle from her怀 and said, "Tian Kai, this is a medicinal powder concocted by my cousin. It can detoxify the 'Warrior in the Palm' poison. If you take it quickly, you'll return to normal." After stepping forward and pressing it into Meng Tiankai's hand, he pushed her away. Meng Tiankai silently stared at Fang Qiu, pulled out the wooden stopper, and sprinkled the powder onto the ground, a pungent white mist drifting upwards.
Fang Lianzheng ran up behind Meng Tiankai and asked, "Brother Meng, are you using 'Crying Ape Green Concealment'?" Just then, Chong Yuwu used "Lightning Shocking Star Dispersion" to launch another surprise attack on Shi Weigeng. Le Fu intercepted him and engaged him in combat. Meng Tiankai turned around in anger, hurled the porcelain bottle at Fang Lianzheng, and then leaped forward. Shi Weigeng passionately shouted to all present, "Fellow Song patriots, this is the decisive battle between loyalty and treachery, good and evil! Please, with your conscience, annihilate these Jin dogs and demons brought by Chong Yuwu!" After speaking, he glanced at Wang Chongyang, who was standing in the distance.