Borrowing a Horse

Gu Shenwei lowered his head to read as his horse walked at an easy pace. The autumn sunlight was a little too bright, so he would read a few lines, then look up and rest for a while, pondering their meaning.

He had read the slim general outline of Wu Dao Shu many times and could almost recite it backward. Still, each time he picked it up, he felt he had gained considerable insight, even though there was much he couldn't understand even on the surface. He thought he would have to find a Daoist to explain it.

One thing Gu Shenwei could be sure of was that Wu Dao Shu and the Death Sutra had definitely been written by the same person. As a general outline, it expounded the essence of both martial arts. The more he understood, the greater the benefit to his internal and external techniques.

With its help, Gu Shenwei had completely integrated the Death Sutra into his saber techniques. He no longer needed a sword. As he gently stroked the hilt of his saber, he couldn't help thinking of He Nu. He dearly wanted to know whether his martial arts had surpassed hers.

A carriage stood by the roadside ahead. Five men stood with their backs against it, watching him from far away.

Gu Shenwei put away his book and urged his horse to pick up speed.

The five men were of varying heights, but they shared two traits: they were all sturdy and young. Even the oldest was barely over thirty.

The young man in the middle casually flicked a pebble at him. Gu Shenwei caught it, reined in his horse, tossed the pebble to the ground, and looked back at the five saber-wielders.

Their sabers were tucked behind their legs, though they weren't