Have Sword, Will Travel

In the early stages of the 19th century, China is in a time of turmoil and flux. Warlords and regional leaders hold immense power and wealth, and as a result, trade and merchant guilds have become essential to the functioning of the economy. One such trading magnate is Peerless Manor, whose head, Ying Ke-Feng, has built a reputation as one of the most successful and efficient escort services in the land. Each year, Peerless Manor is entrusted with a monumental task: transporting a staggering 200,000 taels of silver to the capital, a sum of money that can buy the allegiance of kings and nobles. Not only are the stakes high, but the journey itself is fraught with peril. Raiders and bandits stalk the treacherous mountain passes and roads, and even the best-armed and best-trained escort services can fall victim to their cunning plans. Ying Ke-Feng, a master swordsman and leader, has mastered the art of transporting precious cargo and has honed his skills to navigate the dangers that lie ahead. For years, he has led hundreds of men on the journey, earning their respect and loyalty with his bravery, wit, and unparalleled expertise with the sword. However, fate has other plans for Ying Ke-Feng. As he prepares for this year's journey, he is afflicted with an unfortunate infirmity that renders him unable to wield his trusty sword. His body aches with a deep, throbbing pain in his arm, and every attempt to draw the sword results in crippling agony. Panicked, Ying Ke-Feng frantically searches for a solution to his problem. He confers with his most trusted advisors and doctors, and they come up with a desperate plan: hire the services of a young, talented swordsman, Wu Bai, to accompany them on their journey. Wu Bai is a skilled and mysterious figure with a reputation for being unbeatable in combat. If anyone can protect the convoy and guarantee the safe delivery of the precious cargo, he can. Wu Bai is an enigmatic and mysterious figure, who appears out of nowhere without warning. Little is known about his past, and his background is shrouded in secrecy. Despite his air of mystery, he carries an aura of superiority, radiating an unwavering confidence that borders on arrogance. This reputation precedes him as word of his unyielding prowess in battle spreads throughout the land. Upon Wu Bai's arrival, Ying Ke-Feng is met with mixed emotions. On one hand, he desperately needs Wu Bai's expertise to guarantee the safe passage of the convoy. On the other hand, he cannot help but feel wary of this enigmatic figure whose reputation suggests an unyielding ambition to surpass his own. As Wu Bai is entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the convoy, Ying Ke-Feng begins to question his decision. Is Wu Bai a genuine expert, or a pretender to the throne? His skepticism is further exacerbated by Wu Bai's seeming lack of interest in following protocol and adhering to the norms of the escort business. Wu Bai's approach is unorthodox, relying on instinct and intuition rather than strict adherence to rules and traditions. The tensions between Ying Ke-Feng and Wu Bai create an air of uncertainty that permeates the entire convoy. Wu Bai's arrival has set in motion a chain of events that will test the mettle of both men, forcing them to confront their own limitations and confront their differences. Can Wu Bai live up to his reputation as an unbeatable swordsman, or will his lack of discipline and impulsiveness prove to be the convoy's downfall? As the convoy sets off on its perilous journey, the stakes are set. With the entire fortune of Peerless Manor riding on their success, Ying Ke-Feng and Wu Bai must navigate the treacherous landscape, fending off bandits, warlords, and rival escort services alike. The challenge ahead will prove to be not just a test of their skills but a journey of self-discovery and growth, forcing both men to confront the very core of their identities. As the mountain passes give way to treacherous valleys and the convoys winds their way through treacherous canyons, Ying Ke-Feng and Wu Bai will have to work in tandem, combining their unique skills and strengths to overcome the obstacles ahead. In the heat of battle, will they find common ground and forge an unbreakable bond, or will their differences prove to be their ultimate undoing? The fate of the convoy, and the future of Peerless Manor itself, hangs precariously in the balance, as two men from vastly different worlds embark on a journey that will change their lives forever.