Chapter 9: The Four Seas Escort Agency

“Young master, the master wants to see you.”

As usual, Ning Xiu was practicing his saber when Little Cui suddenly rushed in. He turned to look at her, his face questioning—he’d already told her not to disturb him during practice unless it was something truly urgent.

“I think it’s about the shipment of medicinal herbs headed to Lingnan County,” Little Cui whispered.

Ning Xiu nodded, handed his plain saber to her, took the towel she offered and wiped the sweat from his body, then put on the jacket she held out before heading straight for the main hall.

Upon entering, he found the entire first and second branches of the family present. At the head seat sat Ning Mingfeng, the patriarch. As soon as he saw Ning Xiu, he spoke: “Xiu’er, you’re here. Sit down. I want to hear your thoughts on the matter at hand.”

“All right, Second Brother, explain the situation to Xiu’er.”

“Yes, Father.” The second uncle stood up and began to recount everything from the beginning.

Ning Xiu, however, wasn’t really listening. His attention was completely absorbed by the “Martial God” system, for he had just noticed something new—a blood-red crystal, accompanied by a number.

“789?”

In the mobile game he’d designed, there shouldn’t have been anything like this. Still, he had his suspicions, and after a bit of exploration he confirmed them. The blood-red crystal functioned much like silver coins in the original game, while the number, he guessed, was probably linked to the bandits he’d killed in recent days.

“That’s the situation,” his second uncle concluded. “There’s really no one suitable in the household for this task, but Xiu’er needs experience anyway. I think he’s the best candidate for the job.” He paused, then continued, “Besides, ever since the Ghost-Faced Saberman started making his mark, the Black Wind Bandits have quieted down a lot. This time, the Four Seas Escort Agency is handling the transport—it should be perfectly safe. And hasn’t Xiu’er been practicing martial arts for two or three months now? There’s nothing to worry about.”

At the mention of “practicing martial arts,” Ning Mingfeng’s brow furrowed ever so slightly. In his eyes, martial artists were always looked down upon in this world—especially for someone as old as Ning Xiu, who could hardly make much progress starting so late. Still, he reasoned, at least Ning Xiu wasn’t like his other grandsons, who wasted their days seeking pleasure and causing trouble. A little self-improvement was better than nothing, so he chose to turn a blind eye.

In fact, he’d even given Ning Xiu quite a bit of help. Many of the rare and expensive ingredients that Zhang Heng used to concoct body-strengthening tonics for Ning Xiu wouldn’t have been affordable without Ning Mingfeng’s tacit approval. The saying “scholars are poor, warriors are rich” was no exaggeration. Even regular meat—the daily staple for a martial artist—was beyond the means of most families, let alone those precious herbs. This only perpetuated the vicious cycle that kept martial artists in a difficult position.

“What do you think, Xiu’er?” Ning Mingfeng asked, glancing at him.

“I’m willing to go,” Ning Xiu replied, rising slowly. “I’ve eaten and drunk my fill at home for so many years—it’s time I did something for the family.”

…

The Four Seas Escort Agency, which his second uncle had talked up to the heavens, was at best a third-rate force in the Jianghu circles of Lingnan. Their chief escort, Old Master Liu, was a well-known expert in both internal and external martial arts, having reached the second rank. His Divine Fist Technique was rumored to have been passed down by a master he’d met in his youth.

Over more than two decades of diligent training—not to mention the bones he’d left in his wake escorting cargos—he’d earned the nickname “Divine Fist Liu.” But now, age had caught up with him, and old injuries were taking their toll. He’d been forced to retire early, spending his days with his grandchildren.

The escort agency was now run by the daughter born to him late in life, though in practice the old brothers-in-arms handled most affairs. Without Liu as their stabilizing pillar, the agency’s status had plummeted and business had waned. Suddenly receiving such a lucrative commission from the Ning family, they dared not be the least bit careless.

Aside from the now-retired Liu, the escorts on this job included Second Captain Xu Da, famed for his mastery of the spear; Third Captain Liu Tao, known for his archery skills; and the current head of the agency, Liu Hui, Liu’s only daughter. All of them participated in protecting this shipment.

The Ning family’s goods didn’t amount to much—just enough to fill a single cart—but the cargo was precious, loaded with wild ginseng, fleeceflower root, and other rare medicinal herbs. The value of the shipment was no exaggeration—worth a small fortune.

If not for the Black Wind Bandits’ recent rampages making the road from Shouchun to the county seat unsafe, the Four Seas Escort Agency would never have brought out such a formidable lineup. Yet, perhaps due to the Ghost-Faced Saberman’s exploits, the first leg of the journey proved surprisingly smooth, with no trouble at all.

At the front of the group rode Liu Hui, perched atop a spirited white horse. A long sword hung at her waist in its blue scabbard. Though her youthful, delicate features still held traces of immaturity, her expression was resolute and unyielding.

She glanced back at the young man leaning against the cart. Her brow furrowed unconsciously.

Dressed in a scholar’s azure robe, the young man was none other than the Ning family’s own young master—her employer for this job, here to oversee the transport. Besides guarding against bandits, he was also there to keep an eye on the escort agency. With a load of such value, who was to say someone wouldn’t be tempted—shaving off a few ginseng roots or pilfering a couple of rare leaves? Such lack of trust was hardly flattering, and naturally Liu Hui was displeased. To her, this tagalong was nothing but dead weight, holding them back.

“Hui’er, once we pass the crossroads ahead, we’ll be entering the territory of Pine Wind Ridge,” said a middle-aged man on a yellow-brown horse at her side.

“Yes, Uncle Xu. I heard the Black Wind Bandits have almost been wiped out by that Ghost-Faced Saberman. Their chief, Feng Chu, is furious and searching everywhere for him. They shouldn’t have the time to bother with us,” Liu Hui replied.

“Let’s hope so,” Xu Da said as he glanced back at Ning Xiu. “The Ning family’s shipment is worth a fortune. It’s only natural they’d be cautious, especially since our agency has fallen on hard times. We just need to do our duty and not worry about anything else.”

As a seasoned veteran, Xu Da could see right through Liu Hui’s thoughts. He was well-liked in the agency and had watched her grow up. Since he’d spoken, Liu Hui could hardly say more.

“I understand, Uncle Xu.”