Chapter 21

Chapter 21: The Flying Dagger Strikes

Today, Bianliang City witnessed an unprecedented event: the grand opening of the Great China Specialty Store. The shop was bustling with customers, and the air was filled with the incessant sound of haggling.

While the sales staff rushed back and forth, Duan Mingyu stood at the entrance with Xu Zuye, waiting for Cheng Zhiyuan, the Prefect of Bianzhou.

Inside the Yangwei Escort Agency, Zhang Qihou said furiously, "You bunch of good-for-nothings! It took you a full two months to track this man down."

This Zhang Qihou was the elder brother of Zhang Baobao, whom Duan Mingyu had kicked so hard he became a eunuch. Although Zhang Baobao was something of a good-for-nothing, he was still his own brother. As one of the "Twelve Zodiacs" of the Yangwei Escort Agency, Zhang Qihou possessed genuine skill. Moreover, he was a cold-blooded killer who was highly valued by the Chief Escort, Cao Hong.

After being incapacitated, Zhang Baobao had been bedridden, unable to rise, and eventually died from an infected wound. Because Zhang Baobao had been beaten while collecting protection money, Zhang Qihou could not drag Duan Mingyu to the authorities. Being a man of the underworld himself, he was more than happy to settle the matter privately.

Zhang Qihou had sent men to hunt for Duan Mingyu two months ago. However, Duan Mingyu had been holed up at home carving wooden clogs to ensure he had enough inventory for his opening, which is why his subordinates had failed to find him until now.

Once the shop opened today, Duan Mingyu had to show his face, and he was immediately spotted by Zhang Qihou’s men.

"Duan Mingyu, you dare to lay such a vicious hand on my brother? I swear I will not be a man if I do not avenge this!"

Some of the Twelve Zodiacs rarely appeared at the agency; only Zhang Qihou and He Sanhu were present today. He Sanhu’s Tiger Style Fist was so exquisite that he could easily handle three or five men at once.

He Sanhu asked the messenger, "What is this Duan Mingyu’s background? Do you know?"

The subordinate replied timidly, "Reporting to Third Master, this Duan Mingyu is the new top scholar. He has started a business, and today just happens to be his grand opening."

"Third Brother, let’s go. We shall make him wish he were dead today," Zhang Qihou said viciously.

He Sanhu was at best a high-tier enforcer; he never made decisions when faced with serious matters. Furthermore, Zhang Qihou was known for his cunning, and even the Chief Escort, Cao Hong, often sought his advice. He Sanhu had no reason to disagree. Selecting thirty capable guards from the agency, the group marched toward the Great China Specialty Store in a menacing procession.

"Mingyu, why hasn't Prefect Cheng arrived yet? Could he have remembered the date wrong?" Xu Zuye asked uneasily.

Duan Mingyu replied, "Zhiyuan’s word is impeccable. If he said he would come, he will. Let us wait a moment longer."

No sooner had he spoken than a group of people appeared, storming toward the shop in a rage. Both Xu Zuye and Duan Mingyu saw them.

"Are they here to cause trouble?" Duan Mingyu asked.

"They are from the Yangwei Escort Agency," Xu Zuye said calmly.

Duan Mingyu glanced at him suspiciously. "How can you tell?"

Xu Zuye didn’t speak, merely narrowing his eyes with a flash of ruthlessness.

"Are they looking for us?" Duan Mingyu asked.

"Likely."

"Then why are you so calm? You are an accessory to this, you know," Duan Mingyu noted.

Xu Zuye replied, "You cannot avoid the inevitable. Besides, even if you run, you can’t move the temple. If you want to continue doing business in Bianliang, you cannot flee. We must intercept them far away; if they disturb the shop, no one will ever spend a penny here again."

Duan Mingyu gritted his teeth. "Fine. I’ll go and stop them. I don’t believe they’d dare commit murder in broad daylight..."

Xu Zuye gave a bitter laugh. "You were in broad daylight when you kicked Zhang Baobao. If you go, your life will be at risk, and they will simply find a scapegoat to wash their hands of it."

"Then what do we do?"

"I will go with you."

The two looked at each other. Xu Zuye was acting strangely—composed, steady, and unperturbed.

"I have deep ties with the Yangwei Escort Agency," Xu Zuye said. "Once this is over, I will hide nothing and tell you everything."

Duan Mingyu nodded heavily. "Good!"

They walked forward shoulder to shoulder. Whatever the case, Xu Zuye would not harm him.

Pedestrians on the street had long since fled, leaving the scene cold and empty, while the shop behind them remained bustling—a stark contrast.

Zhang Qihou and He Sanhu led the pack. Seeing the two men approach, a subordinate whispered into Zhang Qihou’s ear, causing his eyes to turn sinister.

"Are you Duan Mingyu?"

Duan Mingyu didn't answer, asking instead, "Are you Zhang Qihou?"

Zhang Qihou said, "I only want to ask one thing: why did you lay such a vicious hand on my brother?"

Duan Mingyu, previously nervous, now felt steady. "Because he wanted to break my arm. Those who insult others will always be insulted in return."

He Sanhu shouted angrily, "Seventh, why waste words with him? Let’s just kill him!"

Zhang Qihou said, "Third Brother, stay calm. Duan Mingyu, you will pay a hundredfold for this."

Xu Zuye spoke up, "To think that after all these years, the Yangwei Escort Agency has become nothing but a den for lowlifes and thieves."

He Sanhu jumped up, "You old fool, you dare insult my Yangwei Escort Agency?"

Only then did people notice Xu Zuye’s presence. He carried an aura forged by years of experience—something that could neither be hidden nor ignored. His presence made Zhang Qihou feel an inexplicable sense of dread.

"I advise you not to interfere, sir, or Zhang will not let this go easily," Zhang Qihou said after a moment of thought.

Faced with this veiled threat, Xu Zuye only said one thing: "I, too, had a hand in the matter of Zhang Baobao."

Duan Mingyu cast a look of gratitude toward Xu Zuye. True character is revealed in times of trouble.

Zhang Qihou stopped talking and stepped back. "Third Brother, he is yours."

He Sanhu responded heartily, "Seventh Brother should have said that sooner. Brothers, take them!"

Duan Mingyu gripped his flying dagger. The old monk had gifted him thirty years of internal energy; though he lacked the technique to use it, he would not fall easily—and his flying dagger was a lethal trump card. Duan Mingyu took a step back. "Come then, enlighten me!"

The thirty guards were indeed skilled. As Duan Mingyu threw his dagger, aiming for the leader—He Sanhu—the latter saw a flash of light. His years of licking blood from the blade allowed him to sense the danger, and he tilted his body slightly.

"Pfft!"

The dagger buried itself into He Sanhu’s shoulder, leaving only the hilt visible. It happened in an instant, causing the guards to freeze in their tracks. With the flying dagger released, the world was his!

He Sanhu didn't make a sound, but he was furious. He realized he was facing a true master and felt a chill run down his spine.