Chapter - 25 Brilliance of a Blade Refined a Hundred Times (6)

That person named Yin says, "Correct. You can change horses and carriages along the way, but not the people escorting. In ten days, you must deliver this person to the master of Wu Dang, the Venerable Zhang SanFeng." Du DaJin says, "Wu Dang sect? The problem is, Shaolin and Wu Dang are not very… how can I say this…" That person named Yin says, "This person is gravely injured. So it's imperative that he's delivered as soon as possible. What's with the indecisiveness? Are you going to accept this deal or not?" Du DaJin says, "Fine. We'll accept it."

That person named Yin chuckles and says, "Good! Today's the 29th day of the third month. If he's not safely at Wu Dang Mountain by the 9th of next month, I'll make sure that no one in this escort agency will remain alive!" only to hear several 'swoosh' sounds, as several needles shot out, destroying all vases holding the agency's flags in all parts of the room. Even Du DaJin let out a shocking 'ahhh'. The person named Yin then yells, "Let's go", and leaves with the people carrying the stretcher.

After that person left, Du DaJin gathers himself and walks up to Yu DaiYan, asks, "Are you a member of the Wu Dang sect?" Yu DaiYan can't answer, but can see that this gentleman looks very muscular and strong, thinking his outer fighting skills must be quite formidable. Du DaJin asks again, "I never would've thought that this small, scholarly person has such incredible kung fu. Do you know which sect he belongs to?" Yu DaiYan closes his eyes and ignores him.

Du DaJin's name is quite sound, and his forte is with hidden weapons. Yet he couldn't possibly destroy tens of vases using paper-thin needles. Besides, he has never seen anything quite so strange as someone giving two thousands taels of gold to deliver a live person. Du DaJin wraps up the gold and orders his servants to take Yu DaiYan to the guest room. He then gathers up his best men and prepares for the trip. By nightfall, they left the escort agency.

While in the carriage, Yu DaiYan thinks, "After wandering in the martial world for so many years, I've never cared much for escort agencies. Who would've thought that they would be the people in charge of my life right now?" He then thinks, "I wonder who this friend named Yin is. She sounds like a woman. That Du DaJin says she's very scholarly, yet her kung fu is certainly very good, and her way of doing things really is quite extraordinary. Too bad I didn't get to see her, or say thanks. If we ever meet again, I'll make sure to repay her kindness."

A row of horses quickly moves west. Other than leaders Du, Zhu, and Shi, everyone else is a young, energetic lad. They all picked the best horses, and changed them frequently on the road, just as their customer Yin ordered. When he left the escort agency, Du DaJin expected many people to block their paths. Yet for some reason, their trip was very smooth. In nine days, they're already at the bottom of the Wu Dang Mountain. Although it's been a long, arduous journey, everyone is glad that they're not going to miss the ten-day deadline.

Du DaJin says, "Brother Zhu, these past years the Wu Dang sect's name has become quite sound. Although still not as sound as us Shaolin, but quite famous nonetheless. Look at the steepness of the mountain. You know the saying that the environment makes the person. Perhaps they really are quite good." Sub-leader Zhu says, "But these rumors of their accomplishments aren't reliable. Besides, they've only been around for a few years. How can they possibly compete with us Shaolin?" Sub-leader Shi says, "He's right. We've never really seen their kung fu. Compared to us, they're probably nothing."

After traveling some more, sub-leader Zhu asks, "What are we going to say to Zhang SanFeng when we see him?" Du DaJin says, "Although we're from a different sect, he is after all almost ninety. So it doesn't matter if we go up and kowtow a few times." As they're talking, Du DaJin wonders, "Who is this person inside? Is he a Wu Dang disciple, a friend of Wu Dang, or an enemy?"

While he's thinking, six people on horsebacks surrounded their group. Du DaJin thinks, "Could we possibly have problems now that we're under the Wu Dang Mountain?" He whispers to sub-leader Zhu, "Watch the main carriage." Then he went up to meet the strangers, says, "This is the Dragon Gate Escort Agency in the city of Lin An. Sorry we did not send a greeting beforehand."

Du DaJin sees that two of the people dressed as Taoists while the other four have on normal clothing. They all look very composed and gallant, with weapons attached to their sides. Du DaJin wonders, "Could this be six of the seven Wu Dang heroes?" He says, "May I ask who your names are?"

A person with a large birthmark on the face responds coldly, "What are you doing on Wu Dang Mountain?" Du DaJin says, "We're here to send a injured person to your master, Venerable Zhang SanFeng." That person asks, "Who is the injured person?" Du DaJin says, "I don't know. A person named Yin asked me to make this delivery. I know of nothing else. We don't ask our customers for their reasons." That person says, "A customer named Yin? What kind of person is he?" Du DaJin says, "He's a handsome and scholarly fellow, whose projectile weapon skills are incredible." That person then asks, "So you've fought him?" Du DaJin says, "No. No. He just…" Before he could finish, a short person among the strangers cut him off, asks, "Where the Dragon Saber?"

Du DaJin says in bewilderment, "What Dragon Saber? Is it the mythical one everyone's talking about?" That short guy immediately goes up to the carriage and looks inside. Du DaJin looks at his lightness kung fu, thinking, "This resembles Shaolin's kung fu. Humph. Wu Dang claims that their kung fu skills are unique, but looks like they still cannot deviate from their Shaolin roots." Now that he's certain these are Wu Dang disciples, Du DaJin says, "Are you the famous Wu Dang heroes? Who is First Hero Song?" The man with the birthmark says, "Oh, you're too flattering."

The short man says, "His injury is severe. Let's get him back quickly." That man with the birthmark says to Du DaJin, "Thank you for escorting our friend here." Du DaJin says, "You are welcome." That person than says, "He needs to see our master quickly. We'll take it from here." Du DaJin says, "Sure. In that case, I'll give him to you." That person says, "Thank you." and throws a gold nugget at Du DaJin. "Just a little reward for you." As he says this, those six people left with the carriage.

Du DaJin looks at the nugget, and finds five fingerprints on it. He thinks, "Wow. These Wu Dang heroes really do possess some great kung fu. I bet only my martial uncles who knows the 'Golden Steel Finger' can make such a mark." Sub-leader Zhu says, "These Wu Dang people really are arrogant. We spent all this time coming here, and they don't even ask us to go up for a rest."

Du DaJin has the same feelings, except he didn't bother to say it. Instead he says, "Well, at least we save some time. Besides, it would be awkward for us Shaolin disciples to visit Wu Dang. Let's just leave."

On their way back, Du DaJin feels more and more unsettled, seeing how the Wu Dang heroes didn't even bother to leave their name. But everyone else feels only joy, knowing that they just made a ton of money, since Du DaJin has always been extravagant when splitting their earnings.