by Jin Yong
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.
As they continued on their journey, a person on a fast galloping horse suddenly passed them from behind. Du DaJin sees that it’s a youngster of about twenty-one or twenty-two. He looks scholarly and charismatic, and as he passed said, "Thanks for letting me pass.” When he left, Du DaJin asks, "Brother Zhu, who do you think this is?” Sub-leader Zhu says, "He came from Wu Dang Mountain, so he’s probably a Wu Dang disciple. But he doesn’t have any weapons, and looks to scrawny too be a kung fu expert.”
When he finished, that youngster suddenly came back, and asks, "May I ask a question?” Du DaJin says, "What do you need to know?” That youngster looks at the flag and says, "Are you the Dragon Gate Escort Agency?” Sub-leader Zhu says, "Yes!” That youngster says, "May I ask who everyone is? And how is your Head Leader Du?” Sub-leader Zhu says, "My surname is Zhu. What’s your name? Are you a friend of our head leader?”
That youngster gets off the
horse and steps forward a bit, says, "My name is Zhang CuiShan. I’ve heard of the famous Dragon Gate Escort Agency.” When he said this, Du DaJin felt a huge shock, thinking how could the famous Fifth Hero Zhang be a young scholar? He says, "I am Du DaJin. So you are the person everyone calls ‘Silver Hook and Iron Brush’ Fifth Hero Zhang?” That youngster says with a smile, "I don’t think I’m worthy of the ‘hero’ title. But since you’re here at Wu Dang Mountain, how about going up for a visit. Today is my master’s ninetieth birthday. If you don’t have anything important to do, we would appreciate your company.”
Du DaJin sees that he’s quite sincere, and wonders, "How come the Wu Dang heroes differ so much in terms of personality?” He gets down his horse and says, "If your brothers were as nice as you, we would already be at Wu Dang now.” Zhang CuiShan says, "What? You say that you’ve met my brothers? Which ones?” Du DaJin thinks, "You really know how to put up an act.” And says, "I saw all your other brothers today.” Zhang CuiShan stutters for a moment, then asks, "You’ve also seen my third brother Yu?” Du DaJin says, "You mean Yu DaiYan? I don’t know who’s Yu DaiYan. I just saw the six of them together. So he must be there.” Zhang CuiShan says, "Six people? Which six people?” Du DaJin says, "Your brothers won’t give their names, so how would I know? Since you are the fifth hero, then they must be the rest of the seven heroes.” Zhang CuiShan seems lost in thought, and asks, "Did you really see them?” Du DaJin says, "Of course. Everyone in my agency saw them.” Zhang CuiShan says, "That doesn’t make sense. Brother Song and the others are all preparing for master’s birthday. Only I came down the mountain to find my third brother. So how could you have met them?”
Du DaJin says, "You mean, that person with a birthmark on his face isn’t Hero Song?” Zhang CuiShan says, "None of my brothers have any birthmarks on his face.”
Cold sweat rushes over Du DaJin. He says, "They said that they’re the six heroes of Wu Dang.
Two of them are even Taoists. So we.” Zhang CuiShan says, "Although our master is a Taoist, none of his students are. Did they really say that they’re the Six Heroes of Wu Dang?” Du DaJin thinks back, and realizes that those people never did openly say who they are. After a pause, he says, "Looks like these people are up to no good. We have to chase them down!” As he says this he quickly gets back on his horse, and start riding back towards Wu Dang Mountain. Zhang CuiShan rides alongside, and says, "It doesn’t matter too much if they’re simply masquerading as us. Why not just let them go?” Du DaJin says, "But what about that person? Someone asked me to escort this person to your Venerable Zhang SanFeng. These six people took him.” Zhang CuiShan says, "Who is this person you’re talking about?”
Du DaJin told Zhang CuiShan what had happened as they galloped back. Zhang CuiShan then asks, "What’s the wounded person’s name? What about his look?” Du DaJin says, "I don’t know his name, but he’s around thirty.” He then proceeds describe that person’s face. Zhang CuiShan says shockingly, "This. this is my Third Brother Yu.”
He then asks, "How did my third brother get injured? Who asked you to escort him here? Who’s the enemy?” Du DaJin cannot answer these, and does not respond. Zhang CuiShan asks again, "What do those people who took away my third brother look like?” Sub-leader Shi then describes their looks. Zhang CuiShan says, "Thank you. I shall go on ahead.”
After searching for hours, Zhang CuiShan sees a broken carriage on the side of the road. Turning around, he sees a person lying on the ground. With his heart beating fast, Zhang CuiShan races up next to the person, only to see that it’s indeed Yu DaiYan. Happy and distressed at the same time, Zhang CuiShan quickly picks him up and touches his face. Feeling warmth, he let out a sigh of relief, and then yells, "Third brother, you. what happened. I’m your fifth brother. fifth brother!” He examines Yu DaiYan, only to see all his joints crushed, and blood pouring out. Obviously, whoever hurt him did so a short while ago.
While his first thoughts were rage and revenge, Zhang CuiShan then promptly remembers that Yu DaiYan’s life is still in danger. He did not bring any medicine down the mountain, so he quickly put Yu DaiYan on his back and quickly runs up the mountain, using all his lightness kung fu ability.
Since today is their master’s ninetieth birthday, the Wu Dang’s main Purple Paradise Hall has been filled with an aura of happiness. The six disciples all gave their toast to Zhang SanFeng. The only problem was that they’re missing Yu DaiYan. So at noon, Zhang CuiShan said to his master, "Let me go down the mountain to check up on him.” Who would’ve thought that Zhang CuiShan would also disappear? It should’ve taken him at most a couple of hours to reach the old river before turning back. But it’s now nightfall, yet still no sight of him.
The dinner in the hall has long been prepared, the candles almost half burnt. Everyone feels uncomfortable. Sixth disciple Yin LiTing and seventh disciple Muo ShengGu pace in and out of the hall. Zhang SanFeng is quite aware of these two missing disciples’ temper. Yu DaiYan is calm and
composed, and can always be counted on to accomplish a task. Zhang CuiShan is smart and quick-witted, and is decisive. So if they haven’t come back yet, something important must have happened.
First disciple Song YuanQiao looks at the candles, and then says with a smile, "Master, third and fifth brother must have found some terrible things happening down the mountain. They know that the best gift to you is to do good deeds. That’s why they’re late.” Zhang SanFeng says with a smile, "I remember you saved a widow from suicide back when I was eighty. But you know, if you kids have to wait ten years in between your good deeds, people might get a bit impatient.” His five disciples laughed. Zhang SanFeng has always had a casual relationship with his students, so they joke all the time.
Zhang SongXi then says, "But you’re going to at least live till two hundred years old. So even if we just do one good deed per ten years, it’s still going to be a lot.” Muo ShengGu adds with a laugh, "I’m just afraid that we won’t be able to keep up for that long.”
Before he could finish, Song YuanQiao and Yu LianZhou looked out the hall and yelled together,
"Is that the third brother?” Zhang CuiShan says, "It’s me!” Only to see him carrying a person on the back, running into the hall with sweat all over his face, yelling, "Master, third brother.someone attacked him.” As everyone looks in shock, Zhang CuiShan stumbled a bit, and falls unconscious.
Song YuanQiao and Yu LianZhou realize that Zhang CuiShan only fell down due to exhaustion, while Yu DaiYan’s situation is much more dire. Together they pick him up, and check his vital signs. Zhang SanFeng’s heart shook upon seeing his disciple injured, and then takes out 3 ‘Tiger Life Extending Pill’ and put it in Yu DaiYan’s mouth. But Yu Dai, in his unconscious state, could not swallow them. Zhang SanFeng then applies his inner power Yu DaiYan’s Jia Che Point. After a while, Yu DaiYan’s throat finally responds, and swallows the pills.
At this point, Zhang SongXi begins to massage the muscles on his neck, while Zhang SanFeng continues apply his chi to several different important pressure points on Yu DaiYan’s body, trying to revive him.
After a while, Zhang CuiShan came about again, and asks, "Master, can you save third brother?” Zhang SanFeng only says, "Everyone eventually dies in this world.” Only to see a servant come in, saying, "There are some people outside who wants to see you, master. They say they’re from the Dragon Gate Escort Agency.” Zhang CuiShan quickly stands up, his face filled with hatred, says, "It’s them!” and quickly goes outside. Only to hear some sounds of weapons clashing outside, as Yin LiTing and Muo ShengGu quickly follows to help their fifth brother. They see Zhang CuiShan holding a burly man by the collar and then throws him down, yelling, "It’s all this old guy’s fault!”
Muo ShengGu, hearing that it’s this old man who injured his third brother, begins to step up and give him a kick, but Song YuanQiao quickly stops him. Only to hear someone outsides yelling, "Do you Wu Dang sect have any manners? I sincerely want to come and visit, yet you would treat us li
ke this?” Song YuanQiao quickly goes up to Du DaJin and unseals his pressure points. Then he says, "Don’t worry. Be a little patient, and we will sort out the truth.” This sentence came out in a serious manner backed up by a great deal of inner power. Sub-leaders Zhu and Shi thought he’s actually Zhang SanFeng, and became silent.
Song YuanQiao says, "Fifth brother. Tells what had happened. Don’t be in a hurry, but be detailed.” Zhang CuiShan stares at the Dragon Gate people a bit, and then proceeds to tell the story. Du DaJin then added what happened before he met Zhang CuiShan. Song YuanQiao can see that his kung fu is nowhere near the level of Yu DaiYan. That, plus his willingness to come to
Wu Dang, pretty much dissolves him of any possible guilt. Du DaJin finally adds at the end, "Hero Song, I’m sorry that we weren’t able to protect Hero Yu. But what do we do now with all the family members of my agency’s employees?”
Despite concentrating on healing Yu DaiYan, Zhang SanFeng heard all of Du DaJin’s words clearly, and says, "LianZhou, you take ShengGu to Lin An and protect the Dragon Gate Escort Agency.” Yu LianZhou nods, thinking, "Master really is kind. Although it’s possible that this customer Yin maybe bluffing, it’s still not a good idea to leave so many employee’s relatives alone and vulnerable.”
Zhang CuiShan says, "Look at what this Du guy did to our third brother. Why would you help him out?” Song YuanQiao says, "How can you say that, fifth brother? Do you know why Head Leader Du came in the first place?” Zhang CuiShan says, "Obviously for the gold. Do you really think it’s because he cares for third brother?” When Du DaJin hears this, his face immediately turns red.