Lu Feiqing galloped westwards, braving strong windswhich whipped his face. Passing through Black GoldGorge, he noticed the blood spilled during theprevious day's battle had already been washed away bythe rain. He covered about twenty miles in one stretchand arrived at a small market fair. Although the skywas growing dark, he was impatient to continue on hisway but his horse was exhausted. As he considered whatto do, he saw a Muslim at the edge of the fair leadingtwo large, well-fed horses and looking around as ifwaiting for someone.

　　Lu went over and asked if he could buy one of them.

　　The Muslim shook his head. Lu reached into his clothbundle and took out a large silver ingot, but theMuslim shook his head again. Anxious and impatient, Luturned the bundle upside down and six or seven moresilver ingots fell out: he offered them all. TheMuslim waved his hand to indicate the horse wasdefinitely not for sale, and Lu dejectedly began toput the ingots back into his bundle. As he did so, theMuslim glimpsed a dart amongst the ingots, which hepicked up and examined closely. It was the dart HuoQingtong had thrown at Lu after he followed her to theMuslim camp site. He asked where the dart came from.

　　In a flash of inspiration, Lu said Huo Qingtong washis friend and that she had given the dart to him. TheMuslim nodded, placed the dart back in Lu's hand andpassed over the reins of one of the horses. Delighted,Lu pulled out an ingot of silver again, but the Muslimwaved his hand in refusal and walked away.

　　"I would never have guessed that such a flower of agirl would have such great influence among theMuslims," Lu thought.

　　He rode off, and in the next town, came across moreMuslims. He pulled out the dart and was immediatelyable to trade his mount for another strong horse.

　　Lu continued to change horses the whole way and,eating dry provisions as he rode, he covered twohundred miles in a day and a night. Towards evening onthe second day, he arrived at Anxi. Lu was a man ofgreat strength, but he was getting on in years, andgalloping for so long without rest had exhausted him.

　　As soon as he entered the city, he took out the redflower Wen had given him and stuck it in his lapel.

　　Only a few steps later, two men in short jacketsappeared in front of him, saluted and invited him toaccompany them to a restaurant. Once there, one of themen sat with him while the other excused himself andleft. Lu's companion was extremely courteous, andordered food and wine without asking any questions.

　　After three cups of wine, another man hurried in, cameover to them and saluted with his fists. Lu quicklystood up and returned the salute. The man, aged aboutthirty, wore an ordinary gown. He asked Lu for hisname and Lu told him.

　　"So you are Master Lu of the Wudang School," the mansaid. "We have often heard our Third Brother Zhaospeak of you. I have great admiration for you. Ourmeeting today is very auspicious.""What is your honourable name?" Lu asked.

　　"My name is Wei.""Please take a seat, sir," Lu's first companion said.

　　He saluted both Lu and Wei, and then left.

　　"Our Society's Young Helmsman and many of our brothersare here in Anxi," said Wei. "If we had known you werecoming, they would certainly have all been here togreet you. In a moment, if you don't mind, we will goand everyone can pay their respects to you."They left the restaurant and rode out of the city.

　　"You have met our Fourth Brother Wen Tailai and hiswife," Wei said.

　　"Yes. How did you know?""The flower you are wearing is Brother Wen's. It hasfour green leaves."Lu was surprised at how openly Wei talked about theirsociety's secret signs, treating him not in theslightest like an outsider.

　　After a while, they arrived at an imposing Taoistmonastery surrounded by tall, ancient trees. Over themain gate was a wooden tablet inscribed with fourlarge characters: "Jade Nothingness Taoist Monastery".

　　Two Taoist priests standing in front of the monasterybowed respectfully. Wei invited Lu inside, and a youngapprentice priest brought tea. Wei whispered in hisear, and the apprentice nodded and went inside. Lu wasjust about to raise his cup when he heard someone inthe inner hall shout: "Brother Lu! I've been worriedto death about you..." It was Lu's old comrade, ZhaoBanshan.

　　Zhao's questions came thick and fast. "Where have youbeen all these years? What brings you here?"Lu brushed the questions aside. "There is an urgentmatter to be discussed first. Your honourablesociety's Brother Wen is in serious trouble."He outlined the predicament of Wen and his wife. Evenbefore he had finished, Wei ran inside to report.

　　While he was still talking, Lu heard Wei arguingloudly with someone in the courtyard.

　　"Why are you holding me back?" the other shouted. "Imust go to help Brother Wen now!""You're too impatient," Wei replied. "It must bediscussed by everyone first, and then it is up to theYoung Helmsman to decide who goes." The othercontinued to protest.

　　Taking Lu by the hand, Zhao walked into the courtyard,and Lu saw the hunchback who had severed the tail ofYuanzhi's horse.

　　Wei gave the hunchback a push. "Go and pay yourrespects to Master Lu," he said. The hunchback walkedover and stared dumbly at him for a moment. Lu knewthe hunchback remembered his face and, uneasy at thethought of how Yuanzhi had laughed at him that day, hewas about to apologise when the hunchback said:

　　"You have ridden more than two hundred miles in anight and a day to report on behalf of Brother Wen. I,Hunchback Zhang Jin, thank you!" He knelt down, andkowtowed to Lu four times, his head banging on theflagstones.

　　Lu wanted to stop him but it was already too late, soall he could do was to kneel down and return thegesture.

　　The hunchback stood up. "I am leaving now," heannounced. As he passed through the circu............