by Jin Yong
That old man stays silent for a while, then says, "Hey, let’s make a deal. You help save my life, and I’ll give you half of this saber’s powers.” Yu DaiYan laughs, and says, "Is that how you think of us Wu Dang sect? We don’t help others for any rewards. Besides, I don’t have the antidote to your poison. You still have to ask the Sea Sand sect for it.” That old mans says, "I stole this saber from them. Why would they save me?” Yu DaiYan says, "If you give them back their saber, why would they care to kill you?”
That old man says, "Your kung fu is incredible. I’m sure you can steal some from them.” Yu DaiYan says, "First, I have something important to do, and don’t have time for such a thing. Besides, you stole their saber. So it’s your fault to begin with. Why should I help you steal the antidote? Old man, I suggest you hurry and go ask for the antidote now, before it’s too late.”
Seeing that he’s about to leave, that old man says in a hurry, "Ok. Let me ask you something else. How did you feel when you carried me?” Yu DaiYan says, "I thought it was kind of strange. You look small and skinny, yet you seemingly weigh over two hundred pounds. But I’m not sure why.”
That old man put down the Dragon Saber, and says, "Now lift me.” Yu DaiYan picks him up, and feels like he’s only lifting about eighty pounds of weight. He thinks, "Wow, this saber is over a hundred pounds. That is quite strange.” After putting the old man back down again, he says, "This saber is pretty heavy.”
The old man asks, "Is your surname Yu or Zhang?” Yu DaiYan says, "My name is Yu DaiYan. How do you know?” The old man says, "I know that First Hero Song is over forty years old. Your sixth and seventh brother Yin and Muo are still less than twenty. The rest of the four Wu Dang heroes all have surnames of Yu or Zhang. Everyone knows that. I’m grateful to meet the great Third Hero Yu today.” Although he’s fairly young, Yu DaiYan is quite experienced in the ways of the martial world. He knows that this old man only says such praises because he wants a favor. With a feeling of repulsiveness, he says, "And you are?” The old man says, "My name is De Cheng. Everyone calls me Hai Dong Qing.” Hai Dong Qing is a type of eagle, famous for its viciousness and predatory skills. Yu DaiYan says, "Nice to meet you.” Then proceeds to look up at the sky, trying to figure out the time.
The old man realizes that he needs to try some other trick for this person to help him. So he says, "You don’t realize the meaning behind these words, they’re...” When he says this, Yu DaiYan’s expression suddenly changes changes. He immediately blows out the candle and whispers, "Someone’s here.”
De Cheng’s inner power is not nearly as good as Yu DaiYan, so he did not notice anything. Only after a while does he hear footsteps coming from the front. He says, "Let’s sneak out the back.” Yu DaiYan says, "They have people in the back too. Besides, it’s the Sea Sand Sect. This is your opportunity to exchange for the antidote.” The old man clutches onto him tightly, yells, "Third Hero Yu, you can’t leave me. You can’t.”
At this time, someone kicked down the door as Yu DaiYan quickly hides behind a Buddha statue. When De Cheng let out a small ‘ah’ sound, tens of darts came out straight at him, prompting him to fall down. Only to hear more sounds of hidden weapons being released, all containing the poisoned salts. After a while, Yu DaiYan hears the roof shaking, as salt begins to pour down through the cracks. Realizing that the salts will eventually touch him, Yu DaiYan quickly smashes a hole into the Buddha next to him, and crawls into the hole.
Yu DaiYan then hears someone in the Sea Sand sect says, "There are no more sounds. They’re probably all unconscious.” Another person says, "That youngster’s footsteps are very light. It’s better to wait a while longer.” "I’m just afraid that he may have escaped.” Then someone yells loudly, "Get out of here and surrender.”
At this momentm Yu DaiYan hears many horses gallop on the outside. Then someone from outside yells, "The sun and moon’s lights shine, the Eagle King spreads its wings.” This made the Sea Sand sect quiet. After a while, someone yells, "It’s the Heavenly Eagle sect. Let’s get out of here.” When he finishes, the galloping sounds stopped. Then someone whispers, "Too late.”
Several people then enter the temple. One person asks, "Do you know who we are?” Several members of the Sea Sand Sect answers, "Yes. You are friends from the Heavenly Eagle sect.” That person says, "This is Heaven City Branch’s Leader Li of our Heavenly Eagle sect. You’re lucky to see him today. Leader Li asks you where the Dragon Saber is. If you’re nice enough to answer correctly, he just might be kind enough to let you keep your life.” Only to hear a Sea Sand member points to De Cheng, and says, "He. he took it. We’re just about to take it back.”
That person from the Heavenly Eagle asks De Cheng, "Where is it?” De Cheng does not respond, instead simply falls to the ground.
That person from the Heavenly Eagle says, "Search him.” Yu DaiYan hears some people making ruffling noises, and then someone saying, "This person has nothing on him.” The leader of the Sea Sand group says, "But... but it really is him who stole the Dragon Saber. We...” Yu DaiYan wonders, "Wait a minute. Where did the Dragon Saber go? Didn’t De Cheng have it on him?”
This Branch Leader Li does not say anything, but his subordinate says, "If you want to stay alive, then tell the truth.” After a moment of silence, someone begins to yell, "You came right after we entered the temple. How could we have time to grab the saber beforehand? If you don’t believe us, then we’re going to die anyway. So we might as well go down fighting. You bunch of bullies, we.” He suddenly stops talking, obviously dead. Another person says, "I saw a middle-aged man with pretty good lightness kung fu with him. I bet that man has it, and escaped.” Branch Leader Li says, "Search them.” Yu DaiYan again hears ruffling sounds, and then hears Branch Leader Li says, "He’s probably right. Let’s go search for that man.”
Yu DaiYan wants to wait till the Sea Sand people left too before getting out. But after a long time, he still could not hear any footsteps. He takes a peek outside, only to see the members of the Sea Sand sect standing still, as if their pressure points have been sealed.
He jumps out, takes a torch, and begins to examine their faces, only to see their faces gray and without life. He wonders, "Who are these Heavenly Eagle people anyway? How come I’ve never heard of them? They’re obviously quite powerful, or these people won’t be so afraid of them. Humph, they certainly deserve their fate.” He then goes over and pushes the Hua Meng Point of one of the person to unseal his pressure point. Yet the person still remains still. Yu DaiYan then puts his finger by that person’s nose, and realizes that this person’s dead already. He thinks,
"Wow. They could seal their Death points without making any sound. That is a very evil kung fu indeed.” But seeing how these people are very powerful, and he’s just by himself, Yu DaiYan knows that he can’t fight them. He decides to report this to his master, and have him choose how to handle the Heavenly Eagle sect.
Seeing poisoned salt all around him, Yu DaiYan decides to burn this place and the surrounding area, so no innocents will be killed. As he went out, he sees a strange body. Yu DaiYan then picks it up to examine further. He finds that the body is very heavy. From a hole in the back, he pulls out the Dragon Saber. Apparently, De Cheng hid the Dragon Saber into one of the Sea Sand members before dying. The Heavenly Eagle sect people must not have noticed as they checked the bodies.
Yu DaiYan thinks, "This saber has caused many problems in the world. I really should give it to the master, so he can decide what to do with it.” With a throw of his torch, he burns down the temple.
As the fire is burning, Yu DaiYan examines the saber closely. He finds that the saber doesn’t look like it’s made of iron or gold, and can’t figure out just what kind of metal it’s made of. The fact that it can withstand so much heat is also quite strange. He thinks, "How can one use this sword in battle considering that it’s so heavy?”
Yu DaiYan then wraps up the saber and puts it on the back of his shoulders, then continues on his jour
ney. After an hour or so, he arrives at the edge of a river. Seeing a flicker of fire on the river from afar, he yells, "Can I get a ride across the river?” The person on the boat didn’t seem to hear. So he yells again, this time with his inner power. The boat then quickly comes over. When it reaches the edge, someone on the boat yells, "Do you want to go across the river?” Yu DaiYan says happily, "Yes. Thank your.” That fisherman says, "Then get on.”
As he steps onto the boat, it immediately sinks down a bit. That fisherman asks with surprise,
"What are you carrying that’s so heavy?” Yu DaiYan says, "Oh, nothing. I’m just a heavy person, that’s all.”
When they reach the middle of the river, he suddenly sees a big boat coming over. An eagle flag appears in the front. Yu DaiYan immediately remembers the Heavenly Eagle sect, and begins to prepare himself for any danger.
Suddenly, the fisherman jumps into the water and quickly swims away. Yu DaiYan is left on his own, as the big ship rams into his small boat. Seeing that the boat is about to sink, Yu DaiYan jumps onto the big ship using his ‘Cloud Stairs’ lightness kung fu.
On the big ship, he looks around, seeing no one. An iron chain locks the door to the main cabin.
He quickly breaks it down with his palm, and enters the cabin.
Only to hear someone inside say, "Third Hero Yu of Wu Dang. Great ‘Cloud Stairs’ and ‘Mountain Cracking Palm’ you just displayed. Leave your Dragon Saber with me, and I’ll safely take you across the river.” Yu DaiYan thinks, "How does he know who I am?” That person then says, "You must be wondering how I know your identity. It’s quite easy, actually. Other than the top fighters of Wu Dang, no one can utilize those two moves with such gracefulness.”
Yu DaiYan says, "Can I meet you? And what about your name?” That person says, "We Heavenly Eagle sect is neither friend nor foe of Wu Dang. No need for such pleasantries. Just leave your Dragon Saber here, and I’ll take you across safely.” Yu DaiYan says, "Is this saber yours?” That person says, "No. But whoever has it can control the martial world. Who wouldn’t want it?” Yu DaiYan says, "If it’s not yours, then there’s no need for me to give it to you.” That person then says something else. But Yu DaiYan can’t hear. He steps a bit closer, asking, "What did you say?”
Suddenly, a large wave rocks the boat. As he’s regaining his balance, Yu DaiYan felt as if being bitten by mosquitoes on the leg and chest. He does not take notice, instead says, "You have killed ruthlessly for this saber. I don’t like your way of doing things.” That person says, "We are always ruthless towards those who are evil, but we are kind towards those who are good. As long as Hero Yu leaves the Dragon Saber, I will give you the antidote for the ‘Mosquito Needle’.”
When he hears the words ‘Mosquito Needle’, Yu DaiYan immediately reaches for the places where he thought he was bitten by mosquitoes. He instantly feels week and numb. Then Yu DaiYan realizes, "He tricked me to get closer to him, so he could have a chance to hit me with these needles. Looks like the only way to get the antidote is to grab him.” He takes a deep breath, and rushes forward.
His right palm shoots out, matching the palm of the other person. This palm contains all his power, and sent the other person backward. However, he also feels a bit of pain on his palm after that exchange. For his opponent once again deceives him, by coating his palm with a type of hidden weapon, one that poisoned Yu DaiYan as they matched palms. After coughing a bit, that person says, "Your power really is amazing. But my ‘Seven Star Needle’ is also quite deadly. Looks like it’s a tie.”
Yu DaiYan quickly takes a ‘Heaven Heart Antidote’, but realizes that this can only delay the effects of the poison. He then tries to attack the enemy with his saber, but his attacks were easily parried.
Then he heard that person say, "Do you want your life or the saber?” Yu DaiYan says, "Fine. I’ll give it to you.” And throws the saber down. That person happily picks up the saber and begins to examine it. Yu DaiYan says, "Now where’s my antidote?” That person laughs, "You really are stupid. Why did you give me the saber before I gave you the antidote?” Yu DaiYan says, "A man
should remain true to his words. You promised me the antidote.” That person says, "When you had the saber, I was afraid of you. After all, even if you can’t beat me, at least you may throw the saber away. But now that I have saber, why should I still care about you?”
Yu DaiYan feels much rage coming up from his chest, thinking that Wu Dang and Heavenly Eagle Sect has never had problems before, plus this person’s kung fu is quite powerful in the martial world. Why would he not keep his word? Yu DaiYan normally is quite hard to trick. But in such an unusual place, after getting poisoned twice, his mind obviously did not work as well. After gathering himself, Yu DaiYan asks, "May I ask your name?”
That person says, "I’m just a nobody in the Heavenly Eagle sect. If Wu Dang wants to take revenge, then obviously they should look for our leader. Besides, I Dubt Zhang SanFeng can figure out who killed you anyway.” Yu DaiYan could only feel as if his hands are being bitten by thousands of ants, thinks, "Even though I die today, I’ll take you with me.” With a scream, he rushes up and attacks with his right palm. That person instinctively tries to block with the Dragon Saber, but forgot that the saber is extremely heavy. Instead of blocking, it actually pulled down his body. In a few seconds, Yu DaiYan’s palm lands on his chest, pushing him into the water.
Yu DaiYan thinks, "Although you have obtained your precious saber, but now you’ve died along with it.” Suddenly, he sees a white rope thrown down into the water, grabbing the waist of that person. Only to see a skinny green-robed person on the edge of the ship, pulling on the rope. Unfortunately, by this time, the poison has taken over his body, and he passes out.
When Yu DaiYan regained consciousness, he sees a small flag in a vase by the side, the flag shows a small fish swimming against the current. He thinks, "This must be Lin An city’s Dragon Gate Escort Agency. What happened to me?” His mind is still muddy, so he does not try to think any more. He only feels as if someone’s carrying him on a stretcher, into the middle of a big hall. When he tried to move, he realizes that he can’t.
Only to hear two people converse, the first person in a booming voice, says, "You are?” The other person says, "Don’t bother asking. I just want to know if you’re going to take this delivery.” Yu DaiYan thinks, "This second voice has a high pitch. It’s seemingly that of a woman!”
The man with the booming voice says, "You think we don’t have enough business here? If you won’t give me your name, then you can take your business elsewhere.” The person with the woman’s voice says, "But the Dragon Gate Escort Agency is the only decent one around. I don’t care for the others. However, if you can’t make a decision, get your boss out here.” The man with the booming voice says in an irritated voice, "I’m the boss. And right now, I have some other business to attend to. Please leave.”
That person with the woman’s voice says, "Oh. so you’re Multi-Armed Bear Du DaJin...” After a pause, continues, "Escort Leader Du, nice to meet you. My surname is Yin.” Du DaJin feels a little better with her praise, and says, "What do you need?” The customer named Yin says, "I need to first make sure that you can handle my delivery. Because it’s very important.”
Du DaJin says angrily, "I’ve delivered types of treasure in my twenty years here. Never have there been any problems.” Yu DaiYan has also heard of this person, knows that he’s a non-monk disciple of Shaolin. Du DaJin is proficient with both the fist and the saber, but he’s most famous for his steel darts. He can simultaneously fire forty-nine darts at the same time, which is how he got the nickname ‘Multi-Armed Bear’. It’s just that Shaolin and Wu Dang are not really close, which is why they have not yet met each other.
The person named Yin says, "If it weren’t for your fame, why would I come? I have a delivery for
you to make, and it comes with three conditions.”
Du DaJin says, "We don’t accept any deliveries that require to
o much hassle. We don’t accept any deliveries we don’t know the background of. We don’t accept any deliveries that’s worth less than fifty thousand taels of silver.” He didn’t listen to the customer’s three conditions, and instead named three conditions of his own.
That person named Yin says, "I’m sorry. But by my delivery will require some hassle. Its background is also quite muddy. As for its worth, well, that’s hard to say. Plus I also have three conditions. One, you must personally lead the escort. Two, you must take the package to the Xiang Yang city without any rest, so it will arrive in ten days. Three, should there be any problems, humph, I will kill every single person in your Dragon Gate Escort Agency.”
Only to hear a loud ‘Peng!’ sound, which must be Du DaJin hitting the table, who yells, "Had you want to ridicule someone, you should not have picked my Dragon Gate Escort Agency. If it weren’t for the fact that you look way too small and skinny, I would pummel you right here!”
The person named Yin chuckles, and then throws something heavy on the table, says, "This is two thousand taels of gold. It’s the fee for this delivery.” Yu DaiYan thinks in shock, "What? That’s tens of thousands taels of silver. Normally it takes several years to make this much money for an escort agency.” Only to hear Du DaJin breathing heavily, obviously staring at such amazing amount of wealth. After a while, he says, "Mr. Yin, what would you like us to escort?”
That person named Yin says, "First tell me if you’re going to agree to my three conditions.” Du DaJin says, "Since you are offering so much money, I’ll risk my life this time to make sure it safely arrives. So where are the items you want to deliver?” That person named Yin says, "The package I want you to deliver is the gentleman on this stretcher.” This really surprised Du DaJin and especially Yu DaiYan himself. Yu DaiYan can’t help but yell, "Me...me...?” Yet for some reason, no words can leave his mouth no matter how hard he tries. Only to hear Du DaJin say, "This. this person?”
