Ding takes up residence in a small village, assumes the name of Zhang, works for another man as a mason/statue carver and is considered odd because he was seen with a fine sword when he arrived and never socialises.
Every house and shop in town is damaged except for the masonry, the leader of the attack having taken one look at "Zhang" and left quietly.
Rumours start that "Zhang" is in league with them and he prepares to leave but is summoned by the village leader and asked to work on a monument.
The father of the eighteen year old arrives with his sword fighting students and demands that Ding be handed over for revenge.
The stranger says he was almost fooled into not discovering "Zhang's" identity as Ding Menghao and challenges him to a duel, revealing himself as Qiu Yixing, The Fastest Sword of the North.
Liu Qing has been kidnapped and Qiu denies involvement but says he knows how to find her and will tell Ding if he agrees to fight.
Remembering the monk's words Ding draws the fighter into a smaller space where he is knocked down as Qiu prepares his final thrust.
The next day a rider arrives to challenge Ding but is told that he is too late and is directed to the funeral of the two Fastest Swords who killed each other.