Lu Shi was busy arranging the banquet, and there wasn't much conversation between the two.
Frankly speaking, Old Lu essentially gave Zhao Rong a pill of reassurance. With Long Ping setting an example earlier, he was also worried about Zhao Rong not grasping the deeper meaning and being fluctuating in loyalty.
As for Zhao Rong...
After Old Lu left, he pondered the preparations needed before setting off on the escort task.
Ever since he had received news from Bao Datong, he had known how perilous recent escorts had become.
On another note, he reflected on the three most famous figures of the current Hengshan Sect following Old Lu's remarks.
Mr. Moda of Xiaoxiang Night Rain, the musical virtuoso Liu Zhengfeng, and the gold-eyed crow Lu Lianrong.
The three, with their remarkable skills, had gained great renown in the jianghu: from Kaifeng in the north to Shaozhou in the south, neighboring Qujing in the west to Yanping in the east, they were recognized across this vast region.
If the three disciple brothers were united, the Hengshan Sect would surely present a different scenario.
However, in the path of developing their sect, the choices of these three were starkly different.
It was no wonder that, after Hai Sha Gang found a backer near Hengyang, they dared to secretly undermine the Hengshan Sect.
"With external enemies at the fore, we should rid ourselves of internal strife early and shift internal conflicts to external ones."
Zhao Rong felt a sense of frustration, as if he were dealing with unyielding iron, "If the disciple brothers were united, which surrounding gang would dare provoke the Five Peaks Sword Sects?"
Reform!
This sect's spirit must be reformed.
Only when old Zhou from the warehouse handed him a broom to help dust off the dirt did he realize he had been overly concerned.
With fellow jianghu colleagues visiting in a few days, everyone at the escort agency was cleaning up, wiping everywhere inside and out, refreshing everything and revitalizing the atmosphere.
Zhao Rong, seeing Old Zhou holding a feather duster and remembering how skillfully he wielded a short knife that night, couldn't help but wish to learn from him.
"Old Brother Zhou, your knife technique is fast and fierce, which I truly admire. May I ask what style it is?"
Old Zhou was amiable and approachable, hardly resembling his fierce self from the other night.
Pausing with the feather duster in his hand, he made a few slicing gestures like with a knife.
"Oh, it's quite normal you haven't seen it; this is my Zhou family's Rolling Dragon Saber Skill."
Seeing his enthusiastic interest, Old Zhou began to explain its origins:
"My grandfather was a warrior monk who later emulated earlier generations to become a monk soldier. At that time, monk soldiers were skilled with both staff and saber, like Zhi Xiang slashing pirates with his saber, Tong Xiang using a large saber to expel bandits, Yu Ran's saber slashing like thunder, and then publicly using his saber to protect the border."
He spoke excitedly, "Ever heard of Zhi Ju?"
"Monk Zhi Ju?" Zhao Rong guessed blindly.
"Exactly."
Old Zhou gave him a look that said 'you know quite a bit,'"Monk Zhi Ju was skilled with the Spring and Autumn big saber, excelling in martial arts with superior strength, often said to be the reincarnation of Duke Yuantu."
"Influenced by them, my grandfather adapted the saber techniques he learned in the temple—like the White Flower Saber and Coiling Saber Methods—to military formations, and extensively practiced and created our Zhou family's Rolling Dragon Saber Skill."
"This saber technique is straightforward without fancy maneuvers."
"Each move must incorporate both offense and defense, the saber not only aims at the opponent's vital points but also prevents injury from the opponent. It's close in style to Shaolin's various solo saber techniques and the Black Tiger Saber Skill."
"Unfortunately..."
Old Zhou showed a hint of shame, "The saber manual fell into my hands without my grandfather's swift and sharp skills, the seventy-two saber techniques have gathered dust, the glory is no more."
He caressed the feather duster as if it were a saber blade, his eyes full of sorrow.
The more Zhao Rong listened, the more awe-struck he became.
He was almost about to ask, "Was your grandfather Duke Yuantu?"
Old Zhou looked at Zhao Rong and suddenly asked, "Young Brother Rong, would you like to learn?"
"This... might be inappropriate."
Zhao Rong 'refused', "The Rolling Dragon Saber Technique is well-known and mesmerizing, but it's after all a Zhou family art. How could it be passed to someone outside the family?"
"The Zhou family's Rolling Dragon Saber is indeed a legacy passed from men to men, inside the family and not outside."
"But there are always exceptions..."
Old Zhou's gaze sharpened, "Young Brother Rong, why not consider me your adopted father, and I could make an exception to teach you the seventy-two techniques of the Rolling Dragon Saber, without betraying the ancestral teachings."
"..."
"Old Brother Zhou, you stay here; I'll go clean outside."
Zhao Rong carried the broom and without looking back, he left the warehouse.
I want to be your brother, but you want to adopt me.
Seeing his discontented look as he left, Old Zhou laughed out loud.
Soon, Old Zhou came after him, handing Zhao Rong a thin booklet.
The cover bore the traditional characters for "Wild Goose Blade."
"I was just joking; please don't take offense, Brother Rong."
"This is a saber manual I collected earlier in my life. While it may not be sophisticated, its completeness is its virtue. Brother Rong, you practice swordsmanship, and although every weapon has its unique path, they converge to the same principles. You might find it useful for reference."
Zhao Rong was about to speak words of gratitude when Zhou raised his hand to stop him.
"It is I who should be grateful to Brother Rong."
"In these years at the escort agency, I have come to regard this place as my home. Long, the chief of the agency, trusted me deeply. Once, I was careless, and the bandits almost succeeded. If I could not clear my name in time, I would rather have died."
With that, Zhou bowed to Zhao Rong with a clasped fist.
This was his way, as an ordinary warehouse manager and a man of Jianghu, of explaining his views on benevolence and righteousness in this martial world.
Zhao Rong smiled, happily put away the saber manual, and returned the gesture with a clasped fist.
Afterwards, Zhou used a feather duster to demonstrate his saber technique, sharing all his insights.
Especially the moves "Wild Goose Descending on the Slope," "Birds Fleeing into the Woods," "Wild Goose Crashing onto the Mountain," and "Flowers Hidden Under Leaves" from "Wild Goose Blade."
He was not a master, but he had practiced with a short saber for decades.
Zhao Rong, fairly new to the art of weaponry, could not compare with Zhou's years of experience and was mesmerized by the oral transmission.
At mealtime, Pu Kui and Lu Gui brought up two roasted chickens and ducks each, and Zhao Rong and Zhou moved a table in front of the warehouse so the four could sit together.
"We received news from the docks—it seems someone dressed as Wang was spotted. He crossed Tanshui by boat with an accomplice waiting on the other side."
"It really is the Jiangnan toad—troublesome to deal with."
"The thief's techniques are ruthless. Imagine if he wielded a long saber, I'm afraid more brothers would be injured."
"Luckily, Long, the chief, is foresighted. This trip southward to seek friends has brought peace of mind to all."
"..."
Zhao Rong listened in silence.
Crossing Tanshui by boat?
It seems Bao Datong was not just boasting—these folk are likely headed to Sha Corner Island, the nest of the Hai Sha Gang.
Should I inform Lu Shi about this?
Never mind.
Revealing all could unjustly implicate Bao Datong and bring misfortune upon myself by exposing the assailants who attacked with lime, and putting myself out in the open.
Moreover, it's only speculation, not proven fact; what difference does it make if the people of the escort agency believe it?
The Hengshan Sect's masters need only hold their ground; either way, they can't handle these people.
After all, Hengzhou Prefecture has been a long-standing domain of the Hengshan Sect. Zhao Rong prefers to believe that as one of the Five Peaks Sword Sects, the Hengshan Sect can handle some conspiracies at their own doorstep.
Thus, Zhao Rong only discussed the dangers with Pu Kui and his companions, reminding them to be cautious in everything.
Lu Gui then brought up the banquet planned by the escort agency and the friends who would be coming to help.
With his eloquent description of some visitors' backgrounds, Zhao Rong's confidence notably increased.
Soon, they heard noises from the entrance of the escort agency—horses neighing and hooves clattering on the ground.
"It's people from the Red Wolf Gang."
"And the vice-chairman of the Datong Commercial Association has arrived."
"There's also the steward from Xuanhe Tower."
"..."
Mostly affiliates of the Hengshan Sect, they gathered together to discuss important matters into the night.
Zhao Rong watched from the courtyard gate and saw a middle-aged man in ragged clothes among the crowd.
"It's someone from the Beggar Gang."
"Indeed."
Pu Kui whispered beside Zhao Rong, "Lu Guangcan, the Beggar Gang's leader in charge of the Hengzhou Prefecture branch, holds significant influence."
Zhao Rong thought to himself.
As the Hengshan faction takes this matter so seriously, using their connections to bring in the Beggar Gang strengthens their control of the situation further.
This is the advantage of having the Hengshan Sect as a backer for the escort agency, which has far greater renown in Jianghu than Changrui.
Yet, once targeted by the Qingcheng Sect, they were decimated without hesitation.
Zhao Rong was unaware of the specific topics discussed in the escort agency's evening meeting, but he felt much more at ease and walked home with lighter steps.
However...
When Zhao Rong returned to Zhao Family Fort and had just reached his own small courtyard,
a chill suddenly raced up his spine to the crown of his head!
...
...
...
PS: Thanks to Brother Chaoyang's great support! Much appreciated! Thanks to Daidai and Jiushu for the rewards, and thanks to the readers for their recommendation tickets~~