Although the three fought fiercely and traded blows in equal measure, neither side could tell who held the advantage. Fei Jing, chief of the Beggars' Gang, reckoned that with Wu Tong's skill at hand they need not worry — the "Wolong" (Crouching Dragon) blade technique was famed across the land. Since this affair had been taken up by Wu Tong, and since Wu Tong was an expert with the blade, handing it over to him was the best solution; it eased Fei Jing's mind.
Suddenly Wu Tong's right wrist flashed. His swift knife opened out and he struck three blows in rapid succession — truly as quick as lightning, hissing through the air. Everyone involuntarily gasped. The killer known as "Killing-Breaking Wolf" answered with his long sword; his strokes were fierce and seemingly disorderly, while the other, "Heaven-doom Lone Star," used simple, direct strikes — no wasted motion — astonishing in their speed and unerring accuracy. Every slash, thrust, and chop was both brutal and precise. The two swordsmen's blades danced like flashes of silver, circling Wu Tong and darting for openings until watchers' eyes blurred.
Zeng Qiang, deputy chief of the Salt Gang, and Tang Fei, second-in-command of the Phoenix Gang, exchanged a look of amazement. In the space of a few heartbeats Wu Tong had exchanged dozens of moves with the two; every move they made he read as though it were written on his palm. Though they poured out another thirty or so attacks in that instant, to Wu Tong their techniques still paled in comparison to Xie Feng's ferocious "Blood-lust Blade." At that moment both Heaven-doom Lone Star and Killing-Breaking Wolf struck in rapid succession — three thrusts each — while Wu Tong responded with six blades of his own. The three moved at impossible speed, offense meeting offense; there was no parrying, no defensive postures, only attack.
In an instant more than ten exchanges had been made. The onlookers gaped. Zeng Qiang thought: "If those two killers target me, I won't be able to hold them for long." Tang Fei thought: "These three are so skilled, yet the two are not gaining the upper hand despite their numbers." Then, as if sensing victory, Wu Tong's blade slowed and a flaw appeared. Seeing this, Heaven-doom Lone Star and Killing-Breaking Wolf were elated; their wrists flicked and they lunged for Wu Tong's middle. Lone Star's sword hissed — a single, lightning-quick thrust straight for Wu Tong's chest, like a thunderbolt. At the same moment Killing-Breaking Wolf's long sword aimed for the same point. Little did they know this was all part of the Wolong blade's "feint to seize" — a trap to draw the enemy in, and a deadly technique indeed.
But in that flash of steel and thunder, Wu Tong suddenly lifted his blade to deflect the thrusts, his body a blur. He stepped aside and, with a violent flick of his right wrist, struck. Caught off guard, Heaven-doom Lone Star and Killing-Breaking Wolf staggered back too late. In a blink Wu Tong sent two lightning-fast cuts through the air. Two agonized cries rang out; both assailants fell. Wu Tong sheathed his knife without pause and stood upright.
He looked at them and said in a low voice, "Coffin shop boy!"
"Yes, sir — I'm here!" the young coffin shop assistant answered.
Wu Tong glanced sideways at the youth and said coldly, "Wrap them up."
The lad was quick. "I'll take care of the arrangements," he replied.
At that moment Liu Yun hurried forward, pointing at the coffin by the roadside. "This coffin will do nicely," she said.
Ling Xian'er asked, "Do you know where they're going?"
"Probably to the buyer," the fellow replied. The youth's quick eyes showed he had handled such matters before. A signal from him and the four pallbearers lifted the two fallen men and set them into the coffin.
Zeng Qiang loudly called, "Don't deliver them to the Xingwu Gang!" Not long after the youth finished his work and bowed to Wu Tong: "Sir, the job's done. If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way." With that he mounted his cart, cracked the whip, and the dust rose as he pulled off. Fei Jing laughed heartily and said, "See? Fortune follows the coffin! That coffin shop will do a booming trade."
✶ ✶ ✶
They rode on that morning for a little over two watches before sighting Suiyang city. A row of tall trees loomed ahead and everyone brightened; they paused to rest. A north wind blew sharp as a knife, cutting the skin and whipping the soldiers' garments. This was a dangerous moment for the righteous army: supplies had to get into the city, yet Suiyang was surrounded by Yan forces. How to enter the city was the pressing question.
"Senior Fei," Wu Tong said, "Suiyang is near. How shall we get in?"
Fei Jing, the drunken beggar, replied, "We'll just ride straight into the city. We'll raise our banner and enter openly. We'll need your Wolong blade. Four of us will bring up the rear. If enemy scouts harry us, we'll charge and cut through — no need for ceremony. The Tang army will surely dispatch troops to meet us; General Nan Jiyun is a fine horse archer, deadly at a hundred paces, and General Lei Wanchun will lead the city garrison. The enemy won't dare a direct battle."
"Then let us enter Suiyang," Wu Tong said.
The righteous army reformed and marched fast, guarding ten wagons loaded with provisions. Before long the sound of horses reached them. A small unit of Yan cavalry — scouts — had spotted the column. Four mounted sentries rode up and cried, "Halt!" The four elders Qian He, Song Ren, Chen Yan, and Jiang Feng shot forward in answer. With a single bound each they leapt and struck; the four Yan scouts had no time to cry out before they fell, and their horses were taken. Wu Tong and his companions were already mounted. Fei Jing shouted, "Ride! The Yan will soon send men to search!"
The righteous army hurried toward Suiyang with the provisions, but as expected the Yan army noticed the missing sentries and sent a large force in pursuit. Hoofbeats thundered behind them. Fei Jing called out, "Those with horses will cover the rear!"
More scouts on horseback galloped up. Wu Tong peered ahead and said calmly, "Don't panic. They're only ten or so. We'll charge, seize their mounts, and make sure everyone has a horse."
Fei Jing admired Wu Tong's composure and quick thinking. "Right — let's do it."