Fang Lin was one of the four chief escorts of the Zhao Family’s Weiyuan Escort Agency, a seasoned veteran who commanded respect without raising his voice.
The young men became more reserved, their earlier excitement about venturing out gradually fading as they listened to Chief Escort Fang’s instructions.
“The usual rules apply: the old lead the new. Each veteran escorts a newcomer. For a smooth escort mission, all newcomers must follow the veterans.
In case of emergencies, don’t panic or act rashly. Do exactly as the veteran does!
This escort route isn’t far, about ten days round trip, heading to Dragon Spring Town. Everyone participating is not allowed to quit midway or reveal any information to passersby. Violators will be severely punished!”
It had to be said, this Chief Escort Fang was extremely responsible. Even though the youths were just out to gain some worldly experience by tagging along, he treated them strictly as real escorts.
Better to be strict than lax.
Li Pingcan was lost among the tall youths, carefully listening to the escort agency’s rules.
This escort route was not difficult; most of the path was official roads, and the cargo was just a caravan’s goods, nothing rare or eye-catching.
But it wasn’t without danger, as the path passed through the Black Mountain Old Forest, where ferocious beasts might lurk.
Chief Escort Fang spoke plainly and succinctly; all the youths understood and began looking for their assigned “escort masters” to chat and get acquainted.
“Li Pingfu and Li Pingcan, you two brothers come with me,”
Fang Lin suddenly softened from his earlier stern demeanor, looking warmly at Li Pingfu, showing a close attitude.
The chief escort of Weiyuan Escort Agency, Zhao Huafeng, had high hopes for this young man, so Fang Lin naturally did not treat him lightly.
Besides, Li Pingfu was only twenty years old but already catching up to Fang Lin’s martial realm—a promising future indeed.
Rumor had it that the Bee Alliance, who had previously clashed with these youths, had vanished without a trace... Truly a group of talented young elites.
“I’ve long heard that our Flat Peach Town has produced a talented youth. If you don’t mind, just call me Uncle Fang.”
Li Pingfu cupped his fists, thanking him: “Uncle Fang, I’ll trouble you to take care of us this time.”
Li Pingcan lifted his head, unable to help it since everyone here was taller than him, and said, “Thank you, Uncle Fang.”
He wasn’t overly worried, having made many preparations.
Little Black as a scout was standard; killer bees accompanied them; he listened closely to the earth veins along the way. He also carried antidote pills bought from the black market, beast repellent, and a unique secret recipe medicine called Seven-Leaf Purple-Gold Treasure Herb.
His close-combat strength was not weak—his Oak Stick Technique could turn branches into sharp blades, and he had Primal Savagery.
For ranged attacks, he had perfected the combined Thorn Stone Throwing Technique, able to withstand even small beast swarms.
He didn’t have to use these skills, but he couldn’t be without them.
All this was in pursuit of an immortal destiny.
They set out for Dragon Spring Lake.
The Weiyuan Escort Agency’s setup this time included five horses and two carriages, surrounded by a group of escort warriors.
The lead horse was a beautiful chestnut, muscular and tall, obviously expensive—Fang Lin’s mount.
From horseback, one could see farther, spotting dangers first and alerting the group.
Near the village, the official road was smooth and flat. After twenty or thirty miles, the vegetation on both sides grew lush and dense, and people became sparse.
“Neigh, neigh, neigh!”
The chestnut horse suddenly neighed, flicking its tail left and right in discontent.
Li Pingcan listened to the horse’s murmurs as he walked; it believed it should be galloping on a grassland rather than plodding along like an old man pushing a cart, so it was quite unhappy.
“Feihong is probably hungry; I’ll feed you the best grass later,” Fang Lin comforted the horse.
Li Pingcan shook his head secretly. This master and horse had zero tacit understanding.
He looked at the group; the youth named Xie Xiaodao no longer exhibited his usual restless habit of constantly twirling his throwing knives, instead standing straight and steady like a pine tree as he marched forward.
Chief Escort Fang wasn’t good at taming horses but was skilled at training newcomers with the old-leads-new system. The youths, who had been proud after dealing with the Bee Alliance, quietly settled into the escort team without their previous restlessness.
‘Big Brother must have noticed their problems and planned this training.’
People can’t be taught by words alone, but experience teaches swiftly.
He listened intently as Big Brother chatted with Chief Escort Fang.
“Escort work pays well with a good monthly wage, but many are unwilling to do it,” Fang Lin sighed. “Do you know why?”
“Usually, escort routes are long, half a month or even a month with no return home, often separated from family, and it’s quite dangerous,” Li Pingfu responded empathetically.
This escort route was relatively close. If it was a month-long trip, he wouldn’t want to do it either.
These peaceful years had no wars, and natural disasters were managed by celestial officials. Anyone willing to endure hardship could survive, but escorting was a life-risking job.
“Do you know where the danger lies?”
“There are bandits, ferocious beasts, and treasure beasts.”
“Haha, you’re right. Besides those, there are local bullies in the mountains.”
Fang Lin pointed to the distant mountains. “Beyond the border of Peach Blossom South Mountain lies the boundary between Yunshui County and Qingshan County. Escorting within Yunshui County is safe. But beyond that is Qingshan County’s territory, where the ‘Dragon-Tiger Stronghold’ nests. To pass through, either you must be tough and ruthless or pay money to smooth things over.”
“Dragon-Tiger Stronghold? A bandit camp?” Li Pingfu asked curiously. “Don’t celestial officials manage that?”
Fang Lin didn’t answer, only revealing a meaningful smile. “Actually, Yunshui County has similar strongholds, collectively called ‘One Martial, Two Strongholds, Three Gangs.’”
The so-called “One Martial” was the Martial Alliance, a huge force formed by the union of major martial arts schools. Only those who had reached the Divine Execution Realm could join. They cooperated somewhat with the government, had the broadest network, and reliable intelligence.
The “Two Strongholds” were bandit camps originally evolved from mountain residents, entrenched in wilderness areas.
The “Three Gangs” were various small factions, the most numerous, usually engaged in illegal and chaotic activities, considered “troublemakers” by both chivalrous circles and the government.
So why these gangs had not been wiped out was worth pondering.
Where there are people, there is strife.
Li Pingcan pondered deeply. According to Chief Escort Fang, their family running a martial arts school was indeed the right path.
Li Pingfu respectfully cupped his fists. “Thanks for the guidance, Uncle Fang.”
Without a systematic understanding, a boy from a farming background would struggle to see through these complicated relations.
“Speaking of escort dangers, the greatest threat isn’t even ‘people.’”
Fang Lin’s expression suddenly turned serious. “Remember, never enter the black mountain forest! If you hear strange voices calling your name, don’t respond!”
“That’s an evil spirit!”
Fang Lin took a deep breath, his eyes reflecting lingering terror from past memories. “Once, a brother of mine was possessed by an evil spirit. He killed his entire family and then wielded a knife to attack others. In the end, it took an immortal’s intervention to subdue him.”
Li Pingfu nodded solemnly.
Li Pingcan’s expression also grew heavy.
Such obviously terrifying and mysterious things were to be avoided by ordinary people at all costs!
Even as a druid, it was difficult for him to deal with such supernatural, mysterious forces.
Suddenly, Li Pingcan recalled the Soul Summoning Talisman that Li Wang had begged from a celestial official five years ago.
If it could summon souls to haunt, surely there were immortal methods to repel and break evil spirits as well!