Chapter 4

Xiao Yi heard a familiar voice and asked the carriage driver to stop. He jumped off the carriage and saw Yuan Fengming and Che Hai hurriedly coming from behind.

Xiao Yi was puzzled and thought to himself, what could these two be up to? He walked to the back of the carriage and reported to his master inside.

Yuan Fengming had a look of apology on her face and bowed to Qingyun Daozhang inside the carriage, saying, "There were too many people at the banquet earlier, and it wasn't convenient to explain in detail. That's why I stopped your carriage here. Please forgive me, Daozhang!"

Qingyun Daozhang glanced at the anxious Yuan Fengming and said gently, "It's fine. What is it, young lady?"

"Here... please forgive me for being forward, but could Daozhang please step to the Taiping Escort Agency to talk?" Yuan Fengming's expression was uneasy, and her voice was hesitant.

Qingyun Daozhang looked at her and nodded, "Please lead the way."

Unexpectedly, Qingyun Daozhang was so easy to talk to, and Yuan Fengming immediately replied with joy, "Alright! Thank you, Daozhang! Please follow me."

Che Hai, who was behind Yuan Fengming, also looked delighted, rubbed his hands vigorously, and shouted to the carriage driver, "Do you know the Taiping Escort Agency? Drive the carriage there."

"Hehe! Even a three-year-old in Taiping Town knows the entrance to the escort agency. Don't worry, sir," the carriage driver replied cheerfully.

Watching all this, Xiao Yi became even more curious. He sat back on the carriage, and together with the driver, they followed Yuan Fengming and Che Hai to the Taiping Escort Agency.

The Taiping Escort Agency was located at the north end of the west side of the cross street.

On both sides of the agency's gate, a pair of stone lions glared fiercely. Under the eaves of the main hall, the four golden characters "Taiping Escort Agency" were inscribed. In front of the gate stood a flagpole about ten meters high, with a red flag with golden characters and black flame borders fluttering at the top. Beside the high threshold were two stone drums and a horse post, giving the entire agency a sense of grandeur and majesty.

As the carriage stopped at the gate, Yuan Fengming and Che Hai moved forward to help Qingyun Daozhang out of the carriage. Unexpectedly, Qingyun Daozhang waved them off and nimbly jumped out of the carriage. Xiao Yi chuckled to himself, thinking, "Master only lets me help him." He felt secretly pleased.

The agency's gate was wide open, and a sturdy middle-aged man with a full beard and a commanding presence stepped out.

Yuan Fengming and Che Hai bowed to him.

"Uncle! Deputy Chief!"

It turned out this man was Yuan Fengming's uncle, the deputy chief of the escort agency, Yuan Wanwu.

Yuan Wanwu was slightly taken aback when he saw Qingyun Daozhang and Xiao Yi, then shifted his gaze to Yuan Fengming. She quickly leaned over and whispered a few words to him.

Yuan Wanwu immediately understood and quickly clasped his fists in a salute, saying loudly, "Daozhang Qingyun is a rare guest, so I was surprised and feared I might not have been courteous enough. Now that I hear what Fengming has said, I thank Daozhang in advance!"

Hearing this, it was clear that although Yuan Wanwu looked rough, he was not lacking in wit.

Qingyun Daozhang gently shook his head and said, "Deputy Chief, no need for formalities! This old Daoist was invited by Miss Yuan, and I don't know the details."

"Very well! Very well! Daozhang, please come inside for some tea," Yuan Wanwu said hurriedly.

Xiao Yi, his master, and Yuan Fengming entered the agency's living room. The living room faced a spacious courtyard, which was empty and quiet. On both sides of the courtyard were various weapons and stone locks, indicating that this courtyard was also a training ground for the agency. It was Xiao Yi's first time entering the agency, and his eyes were full of curiosity.

Yuan Wanwu led Qingyun Daozhang and his disciple to the guest seats. After Yuan Fengming served them tea, he gestured for Che Hai and Yuan Fengming to sit beside them and then clasped his fists in a salute, saying, "The matter is as follows..."

The Taiping Escort Agency, although located in the remote Taiping Town, was the largest escort agency in Siping County, with many escort agents and branches in various towns. The agency handled the transportation of valuable goods and correspondence between the towns of Siping County. In other words, the agency not only handled escort services but also functioned like a carriage service or postal service. The agency's business was thriving, and it had connections with other major escort agencies in different regions, allowing goods to be transported across the country and wealth to reach all corners of the sea. This was a common business model for escort agencies.

Last month, the agency received a job from the Qin Cheng Escort Agency in the state capital, to transport a batch of goods through Siping County. The Taiping Escort Agency only needed to safely escort the goods through Siping County and then transfer them to the Longcheng Escort Agency in Jincheng. However, three days ago, when the agency was escorting the goods through the Black Wind Pass, which was near the western part of the Taiping Mountains, an accident occurred.

The Black Wind Pass was occupied by a group of bandits, numbering about a hundred or two hundred. Led by their chief, Liu Yidao, they had been causing trouble for decades. The government had tried to suppress them several times, but Liu Yidao was cunning and deceitful. When the government forces came, the bandits would retreat into the Taiping Mountains, and when the forces left, they would reoccupy the Black Wind Pass and continue their mischief.

The Black Wind Pass was located at the intersection of several towns in Siping County and was a crucial route for merchants. The Taiping Escort Agency had never encountered any trouble when escorting goods through this area. They would usually bribe the bandits, who would then turn a blind eye and let the escort team pass. Otherwise, both sides would suffer, which was something neither wanted.

Due to the agency's thriving business, the escort agents were busy, and the chief, who hadn't gone on an escort mission for years, personally led the team. However, despite his experience, he was caught off guard.

When the escort team passed through the Black Wind Pass and the escort agents offered the bandits a bribe, hidden weapons and arrows suddenly rained down from the mountains and the roadside. The escort team was caught unprepared and suffered heavy casualties.

Yuan Wanzhang, enraged, wielded his ring-backed mountain cleaver and charged forward. Unexpectedly, a masked man suddenly appeared and struck Yuan Wanzhang in the chest. Yuan Wanzhang spat blood and fell to the ground, but before he fell, he managed to throw his cleaver. The masked man, overconfident after his initial success, didn't expect the heavy cleaver to fly at him and was struck in the waist.

Seeing their chief severely injured, the escort agents were intimidated by Yuan Wanzhang's last throw. They quickly abandoned the goods and fled, carrying their injured chief back.

When Yuan Wanzhang, covered in blood, was brought back to the agency, there was a flurry of activity. Yuan Fengming sent people to recall her uncle, Yuan Wanwu, and her senior brother, Che Hai, and had the agency's doctor treat her father. Fortunately, the doctor was skilled in treating knife wounds, and Yuan Wanzhang's life was saved, but he remained unconscious.

However, misfortunes never come singly. The cargo owner, who had fled from the Black Wind Pass, also came to the agency. The Longcheng Escort Agency also needed an explanation. The entire agency was in chaos.

When the Qianqiu Fu Wine Shop sent an invitation for the grandchild's full moon celebration, Yuan Fengming initially didn't want to go. The family was gathered, but they were at a loss. After her uncle, Yuan Wanwu, persuaded her, Yuan Fengming decided to go with Che Hai. Unexpectedly, she met Qingyun Daozhang at the banquet. She recognized him and remembered her father mentioning a remarkable person, Qingyun Daozhang, who lived in the Xuan Yuan Temple thirty miles away. Later, she witnessed Daozhang's miraculous healing, and she had high hopes that he could cure her father.

At the banquet, with many people around, Yuan Fengming couldn't speak openly, so she followed Qingyun Daozhang and his disciple and invited them to the agency. When her uncle, Yuan Wanwu, was unaware, she quickly explained the situation. Yuan Wanwu immediately understood and briefly recounted the events.

Listening to Yuan Wanwu's explanation, Xiao Yi's curiosity from the banquet was satisfied.

Yuan Wanwu said, "I didn't inform Daozhang beforehand, please forgive me. Could Daozhang please examine my brother?"

Qingyun Daozhang nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, "I can help Chief Yuan. This old Daoist has traveled widely and has some knowledge of medicine, but without personally examining Chief Yuan, I cannot make any promises."

Yuan Wanwu stood up in surprise and deeply bowed to Qingyun Daozhang.

"Thank you, Daozhang! If you are willing to help, it will be a great favor to the Yuan family and the Taiping Escort Agency. I thank you in advance!"

Qingyun Daozhang slowly stood up, raised his hand to support Yuan Wanwu, and said, "Deputy Chief, there's no need for that. Where is Chief Yuan? Can you take me to see him?"

Yuan Fengming was delighted and said sweetly, "Daozhang, please follow me."

Yuan Fengming led the way, followed by Qingyun Daozhang, Xiao Yi, Yuan Wanwu, and Che Hai, to a courtyard in the second compound. The courtyard was filled with people, all tall and strong, but anxious. When they saw Yuan Fengming's group, they quickly moved aside to clear the path.

They entered the room and saw a sturdy middle-aged man lying on a bed, with a full beard, a red face, and closed eyes. A middle-aged woman was sitting by the bed, sobbing softly. When she heard the commotion, she looked up, surprised. Among the people, besides those she knew, there was an old Daoist with gray hair and a timid young disciple.

Yuan Fengming approached the woman, gently holding her arm, and said softly, "Mother, don't be afraid! This is Daozhang Qingyun from the Xuan Yuan Temple, here to examine Father."

Yuan Fengming's mother wiped her tears, stood up, and bowed to Qingyun Daozhang, saying with a sob, "Daozhang Qingyun, it's been a long time. I'm sorry for not recognizing you. Thank you, Daozhang. I bow to you."

Qingyun Daozhang nodded and looked at the unconscious Yuan Wanzhang. He sat in a chair by the bed, extended two fingers, and gently placed them on Yuan Wanzhang's wrist, closing his eyes in silence.

Xiao Yi, carrying his sword, stood tightly behind Qingyun Daozhang, watching everything with wide eyes. Everyone in the room was silent, holding their breath. After a long time, Qingyun Daozhang opened his eyes. Everyone looked at him anxiously. Qingyun Daozhang looked around and said, "No need to worry! Chief Yuan was injured by a powerful palm strike, but he was treated in time and the medicine was appropriate. His life is no longer in danger!"

He paused and continued, "Chief Yuan's face is red and black due to a blockage in the lung meridian. His unconsciousness is due to a blockage of qi and blood in the chest, causing breathing difficulties. If not treated promptly, he might never wake up."

"Oh! What can we do? Please help, Daozhang!" Yuan Fengming's mother's tears fell, and Yuan Fengming's eyes were red. Everyone looked anxious.

Qingyun Daozhang smiled faintly and said, "Don't worry! I'm here. Please be patient."

Xiao Yi, standing behind his master, was happy for the others. After following his master for many years, he knew his master was highly skilled in medicine, not just a little knowledgeable as he claimed. His master had never kept secrets from him, and Xiao Yi had learned medicine from his master for many years. He had his own insights into Chief Yuan's condition and believed his master could cure him.

"Remove Chief Yuan's upper clothing and help him sit up," Qingyun Daozhang instructed.

Che Hai and Yuan Wanwu quickly helped, removing Yuan Wanzhang's upper clothing and helping him sit on the bed as instructed.

"Give me some space to work," Qingyun Daozhang continued.

Everyone moved back a few steps, and Xiao Yi also moved back to stand with the others.

Qingyun Daozhang placed his left hand behind his back, extended his right hand into a sword finger, and focused for a moment. Suddenly, he moved his hand like lightning, the sword finger dancing like a butterfly, quickly pressing various acupoints on Yuan Wanzhang's chest and back.

Xiao Yi watched closely, recognizing the acupoints his master was pressing, which were known to unblock meridians. He had a sense of understanding.

As Qingyun Daozhang's movements quickened, everyone saw Yuan Wanzhang's face become even redder.

Qingyun Daozhang paused, changed his sword finger to a palm, and used his inner strength to gently tap the Feishu acupoint on Yuan Wanzhang's back. Yuan Wanzhang's eyes suddenly opened, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Oh! Husband!"

"Father!"

"Brother!"

"Master!"

Everyone was surprised and delighted to see Yuan Wanzhang wake up. They quickly surrounded him, gently laid him back on the bed, and covered him with clothes.

"Cough, cough! You're all here? How long have I been unconscious?"

Yuan Wanzhang looked weakly at his family, his voice weak and intermittent.

Yuan Fengming, with joy, replied, "Father! You've been unconscious for three days, and Mother and the agency people were very worried. Fortunately, Daozhang Qingyun treated you, and you've woken up." She stepped aside to let Yuan Wanzhang see Qingyun Daozhang and Xiao Yi standing by the bed.

Qingyun Daozhang nodded at the waking Yuan Wanzhang and said, "It's good to see you awake. I've prescribed a tonic for you. With proper rest, you will recover."

"It's been a long time since I've seen you, Daozhang! Cough, cough! I owe you a great debt for saving me! Cough, cough! Many years ago, you helped me, and your kindness to the Yuan family is immense! Cough, cough... cough, cough!"

Xiao Yi guessed that Yuan Wanzhang must have been treated by his master many years ago. He decided to ask his master about it later.

"Chief Yuan, there's no need for such formalities. It's a fortunate event to be able to help you. Now that you're out of danger, focus on your recovery."

Qingyun Daozhang gave instructions, then wrote a prescription and warned Yuan's wife to avoid strong medicines, as martial injuries require slow and steady treatment. He then politely declined the agency's invitation to stay, got into the carriage with Xiao Yi, and headed back to the Xuan Yuan Temple.

It was past noon, and Xiao Yi sat at the front of the carriage, thinking about his master and the packages in the carriage. He was delighted. The wine shop owner, Mr. Wu, had sent two jars of wine, a bag of rice, salt, a ham, and half a piece of cured meat. The agency's package contained new clothes and shoes, and they had also given a hundred taels of silver. His master was a generous person who didn't seek repayment, but these were necessary for their livelihood.

Xiao Yi was happy because, for a long time, they wouldn't have to worry about food and drink.

"Ha ha!" Thinking about this, Xiao Yi couldn't help but laugh out loud...