Chapter 109: The Hidden Dart

Ultimately, Yang Xing and Yang Jie found themselves at odds and parted on unfriendly terms.

When Yang Xing returned home, a letter from the Hongyun Escort Agency arrived in his hands.

It was a letter personally written by Su Jiangfeng.

Since the incident at Seven Wolves Village, the Hongyun Escort Agency had gradually returned to normal operations.

Yang Xing seldom took on escort missions for the agency.

Only when there was an important convoy would Su Jiangfeng write to him.

“Phew!” After reading the letter, Yang Xing lit a fire striker and burned the letter to ashes.

“Mother, I’ll be escorting a convoy tomorrow, so I won’t be eating at home these next few days.”

...

The next day dawned clear and bright.

Inside the main hall of the Hongyun Escort Agency.

When Yang Xing entered, he saw Su Jiangfeng seated prominently at the head of the room, beside him sat a gaunt, pale-faced middle-aged man.

“Escort Leader Tan, this is Yang Xing, the escort leader of our Hongyun Escort Agency,” Su Jiangfeng quickly stood and looked at Yang Xing. “This is Tan Donghe, the escort leader of the Sanhe Escort Agency.”

Sanhe Escort Agency!?

The Sanhe Escort Agency was renowned throughout Hezhong Prefecture, boasting three elite escort leaders, all masters of Dan Energy. Tan Donghe was one of the three, famously known in the martial world as the Iron Palm.

Tan Donghe cupped his fists and smiled, “I’ve long heard of Escort Leader Yang’s reputation for wiping out Seven Wolves Village; it’s an honor to finally meet you.”

Yang Xing returned the gesture, “You flatter me, Escort Leader Tan; your name carries far and wide.”

The massacre at Seven Wolves Village hadn’t caused much of a stir, especially not to a Dan Energy expert like Tan Donghe.

Tan Donghe chuckled, “There’s no need for mutual flattery between us. Let’s have Chief Escort Su explain the details.”

Su Jiangfeng nodded, “Escort Leader Yang, this time we’re cooperating with Escort Leader Tan to transport a covert convoy.”

Escort missions are divided into two types: overt and covert.

Overt convoys are further categorized into Martial Convoys and Benevolent Convoys.

Martial Convoys typically transport non-valuable goods, posing little danger, and serve to bolster the agency’s reputation.

Benevolent Convoys handle matters politely and with civility, avoiding violence unless reason fails and force becomes necessary.

The last convoy robbed by Seven Wolves Village was a Benevolent Convoy.

Covert convoys, on the other hand, transport highly valuable items. To protect themselves and their cargo, agencies disguise and conceal the shipment as much as possible, aiming to avoid attracting attention.

That Sanhe Escort Agency was transporting a covert convoy under the name of Hongyun Escort Agency clearly indicated the cargo’s extraordinary importance.

Yang Xing asked, “What is the cargo?”

Su Jiangfeng spoke with deliberate gravity, “Silver payroll.”

...

“Silver payroll!?” Yang Xing’s heart stirred.

Su Jiangfeng nodded, “The cargo is officially listed as porcelain and cotton, but in reality, it contains government silver payroll.”

Tan Donghe added, “The escorts and guards are primarily from our Sanhe Escort Agency.”

The implication was clear: Hongyun Escort Agency provided a nominal presence, while Sanhe Escort Agency handled everything else.

“I understand,” Yang Xing nodded.

Tan Donghe smiled, “No time to waste; let’s prepare and depart.”

“Thud—!” Outside the agency, two sturdy escorts lifted three large elmwood chests onto the escort wagon. The chests were secured with two large locks; one key was given to Yang Xing, the other to Escort Leader Ma Laoliu.

At that moment, Asan produced an escort banner, planting it atop the wagon. The wind unfurled it, revealing the bold characters “Hongyun.”

Ma Laoliu waved his hand, “Brothers, let’s set off!”

The convoy, fourteen strong, slowly departed the city gates. Aside from Yang Xing, Ma Laoliu, and Asan, the rest were experts from Sanhe Escort Agency.

Among them were Tang Bo, a practitioner of Sanhe Hand technique; Lv Yan, a master of Eight Directions Hammer; along with seven covert energy specialists, plus Dan Energy expert Tan Donghe, a testament to Sanhe Escort Agency’s might.

Soon, they reached the outskirts of the prefectural city without incident.

Yang Xing had not undertaken many escort missions, especially not covert ones.

Along the way, he and Tan Donghe chatted intermittently.

Tan Donghe was a seasoned escort leader with years of experience traveling the land.

The sun blazed overhead, turning the earth into a scorching furnace.

Outside the city, countless ragged tents sheltered refugees.

“Fengle Prefecture has suffered a severe drought this year, barren lands stretching endlessly, no harvest, misery everywhere, the people destitute,” Tan Donghe frowned. “These people have fled from afar to escape famine. The government supposedly distributes relief porridge daily, but it’s mostly for show.”

Hearing this, Asan whispered in disbelief, “Fengle Prefecture is hundreds of miles from Hezhong Prefecture…”

“Thankfully, it’s summer. If it were winter, they wouldn’t have made it this far,” Tan Donghe remarked, glancing around. “We should press on.”

With a covert convoy, their actions were deliberately low-key.

There had been previous incidents of bandits hiding among refugees; Tan Donghe was cautious, fearing any misstep.

The convoy made no unnecessary stops, continuing toward Yancheng.

By evening, the group arrived at a small village.

This would be their resting place for the night.

The village was quiet and sparsely populated; despite it being mealtime, no smoke rose from chimneys.

...

“Another fifty miles ahead lies the next town. This is the best spot to rest,” Tan Donghe said with a smile. “I’ll take Brother Yang to Old Hou’s place. His granddaughter-in-law cooks the most authentic dishes. We’ll depart early tomorrow.”

Yang Xing nodded; after all, Tan Donghe was far more familiar with the route.

Before long, they reached a courtyard.

“Old Hou! Come out quickly, business has arrived!” Tang Bo of the Sanhe Escort Agency called out.

Soon, an elderly man with white hair and a hunched back appeared.

Old Hou glanced at Tan Donghe in surprise for a long moment. “You… you are Master Tan?”

Tan Donghe dismounted his horse, smiling, “Old Hou, it’s only been a year; have you forgotten me?”

“Truly Master Tan! Please come in, please!” Old Hou sighed, “I must be losing my mind, almost didn’t recognize you.”

Tan Donghe waved off the apology, “Old mind or not, we’re about the same age.”

Old Hou chuckled nervously, “My life is cheap; how could I compare with Master Tan?”

Yang Xing observed the two, inwardly astonished.

Judging by appearance alone, there was a generational gap between them; it was hard to imagine they were the same age.

They entered the small courtyard, parking the escort wagon inside.

Yang Xing and Tan Donghe sat down, while Old Hou hurriedly fetched porcelain bowls to pour water. In his haste, one bowl slipped and crashed to the ground.

“Sorry to disturb you, gentlemen,” Old Hou quickly bent to pick it up. “My eyesight is failing…”

Yang Xing glanced at Asan.

Asan understood immediately and stepped forward, “Leave it to me.”

Old Hou whispered, “No, no, young sir, please sit.”

Tan Donghe looked around, “Over the past year, it seems the household goods have dwindled.”

Old Hou paused mid-motion. “Cui’er is gone.”

...