Joining the Escort Agency, Tiger Form Fist

"Your nickname is Nezha?"

Seeing Zhang Lishi's keen interest, Li Cunxiao replied:

"Yes. When I was young, my health was poor. My parents gave me this name hoping that divine beings would protect me, ensuring peace and freedom from illness or disaster."

Before Zhang Lishi could say anything, the beautiful woman beside him smiled and spoke:

"How interesting. So, Nezha playing Nezha? That's truly a good omen."

"He's just like my husband, destined to be connected with Buddhism."

The more difficult the times, the stronger the people's inclination to name their children after deities. Names like Xiao Guanyin and Zhao Bodhisattva were commonplace. Zhang Lishi's own name was taken from Vajra Warrior, hence Madam Zhang's remark about their connection.

At her words, everyone naturally chuckled. Even Old Master Zhou let out a sigh of relief, his gaze towards the young man now carrying a hint of gratitude. He thought that while this person they'd hired temporarily wasn't old, he certainly had a sharp mind. If he were to perform in a play, he'd undoubtedly be a versatile and charming character.

He just looked a bit fierce.

Seeing the atmosphere lighten, Li Cunxiao subconsciously relaxed as well, but his eyes still discreetly observed the Chief Escort of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency, not daring to let his guard down completely.

Having lived two lives, this was the first time he truly understood what it meant to be weak, that weakness itself was a sin.

Even a casual question from someone else could make him anxious, not because he had done anything wrong, but because the other person possessed an irresistible power. A single decision from them could send him to heaven or plunge him into hell.

This feeling of having no control over his own fate made him yearn even more for the power of martial arts. He resolved that as soon as he left the restaurant, he would immediately go to a martial arts school in the outer city to find a master.

However, events did not unfold as he had imagined.

At some point, Zhang Lishi stood up and walked closer, scrutinizing the young man before him.

The latter immediately felt as if he were facing a man-eating tiger, his entire body stiffening. His blood, however, surged in response, quickly turning his face a purplish-red.

A sense of crisis, like treading on a mountain of knives, enveloped his heart, exerting immense pressure every moment. A few short breaths felt as long as several hours to Li Cunxiao.

Just as he was about to collapse, Zhang Lishi suddenly withdrew his gaze. Reaching behind him, he extended a hand and patted the great dragon on his shoulder.

Before Li Cunxiao could even react, the other man had already returned to his chair.

"Good bone structure, lively Blood Essence. What's your name?"

Li Cunxiao shivered, sensing an opportunity approaching, and immediately replied:

"Li Cunxiao."

"The 'Li' from plum, and 'Cunxiao' meaning to hold filial piety in one's heart."

The senior disciple, Shi Tie, who had been silent until now, couldn't help but smile at the words.

"Your parents truly gave you a good name, Little Brother Li."

Shi Tie, already having a square face, appeared even more approachable with his gentle demeanor.

"Would you like to come to the Flying Tiger Escort Agency and work as a clerk?"

"Yes!"

Li Cunxiao was overjoyed. It was truly a case of finding something without even looking. His plan to join a martial arts school was precisely to learn martial arts. And the Flying Tiger Escort Agency was renowned throughout the inner city for its strength, not to mention the martial arts they could teach.

What did it matter if he was just a clerk? The platform was the most important thing!

Given this, why hesitate?

He immediately bowed deeply, his attitude sincere:

"This child lost his parents at a young age and relies on his younger brother. Life has been difficult. Today, I have met a benefactor, and I sincerely hope you will take us in!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lishi, his wife, and their two daughters, who wore their hair in buns, all looked exceptionally pleased. Even Shi Tie's square face softened considerably.

Everyone, regardless of who they were, enjoyed hearing kind words.

When Madam Zhang heard that Li Cunxiao had a younger brother, she instinctively touched her own daughter nestled in her arms, a hint of tenderness in her eyes.

"And your brother?"

Li Cunxiao's words were deliberately spoken for their benefit – he was joining the escort agency as a clerk, but he couldn't neglect his brother. Hearing the question, he immediately ran backstage and brought Li Muxia out.

Li Muxia had been watching the play from backstage. Seeing his elder brother's brilliant performance, he had clapped his hands over his mouth and cheered repeatedly. He hadn't expected that after the performance, his elder brother would be asked to stay. Worried, he hadn't even been able to eat his sweets. Now, he was completely bewildered, cautiously hiding behind his elder brother.

He was already a handsome boy, and backstage, the women from the opera troupe had even helped him wash up and dress. Not only did he have his hair tied in a double bun, but he was also wearing a scholar's attendant's outfit, looking exceptionally delicate.

Seeing this, Madam Zhang and her older daughters let out a soft gasp, their eyes practically overflowing with maternal affection. Beside them, Xiao Que'er, who was about the same age as Li Muxia, her eyes lit up. She ran forward and tugged at her father's sleeve:

"Dad, he's so handsome! I want him to be my scholar's attendant!"

"Improper! You're an unmarried girl..."

"Today is my birthday, Dad! You promised! Senior Disciple, say something!"

Zhang Lishi was torn between laughter and tears, but looking at the expressions of his wife and daughters, he thought, Fine, let it be a double blessing.

"In that case, Li Cunxiao, you will be a clerk at my escort agency, and your brother will come to my residence to be a companion and scholar's attendant."

There was no room for negotiation in his tone, and Li Cunxiao certainly wouldn't refuse.

If nothing else, judging by Madam Zhang and her daughters' reactions, his brother would likely not suffer any hardship at the Zhang residence.

With food and clothing guaranteed, and the opportunity to learn to read and write, it was far better than their previous precarious existence.

As Zhang Lishi finished speaking, someone quickly led the two brothers aside. After the banquet concluded, they could go to the escort agency to be registered.

Witnessing all this, Old Master Zhou naturally felt that the two brothers had gotten lucky. From being restaurant helpers, they had instantly become members of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency. Although it seemed they were just helpers and pageboys, for people from the outer city, this was already a kind of "being above others."

The actors in the opera troupe were also discussing it amongst themselves.

Li Cunxiao knew clearly that it was because his own appearance was fierce, while his younger brother was handsome and refined, which had drawn their gossip. However, these were not the things he cared about.

His gaze swept inch by inch across the faces of those gossiping people. Some simply turned their heads away in embarrassment, while others were very unnatural, their eyes conveying a sense of "Why isn't it me?"

But no matter the gaze, the Vajra Scepter in his mind showed no change. The light it emitted only reached a quarter of the way up its lotus-shaped base; the remaining portion was a dim iron-black.

"Demons are demonic, but the human heart is also demonic—envy, greed, killing, and other evil thoughts and wicked intentions."

"Is the hostility from these people not enough? Or can the malice in human hearts not be perceived until one kills to find out?"

Li Cunxiao couldn't help but ponder.

Now that he had joined the escort agency, he had a channel to learn martial arts. The only thing he needed to worry about was whether his talent for martial arts was sufficient.

Although Zhang Lishi said his roots were good, judging by his attitude, it was clearly not to the extent of being taken seriously.

Today's events had a significant element of luck.

Furthermore, after the banquet dispersed, he never saw Zhang Lishi's family again, which further confirmed Li Cunxiao's inner thoughts.

"Take these clothes. Your living quarters are in Room D-3."

"Today is the Chief Escort's daughter's birthday, so you have half a day off. Deal with any family matters promptly. You'll start work tomorrow, understand?"

Taking the clothes from the middle-aged man who looked like a shopkeeper, Li Cunxiao unfolded them. It was a white linen round-collar robe, with a large red "Tiger" character embroidered on the chest, and a thick red cloth belt.

Although the fabric and craftsmanship were far inferior to those of the escorts he had seen at the restaurant that morning, a faint sense of security bloomed in his heart.

Finally, he had a place to shelter from the wind and rain.

"Xiao Yu Zi, come here."

The middle-aged man called another young boy to lead Li Cunxiao to his accommodation and then remained silent.

From beginning to end, the other person's expression had only fluctuated slightly when he heard that Li Cunxiao was taken in out of kindness by the Chief Escort, but he had not shown any superfluous enthusiasm.

"Li Cunxiao, right? You're really lucky, getting into the escort agency without spending a single coin. My father had to pull strings everywhere back then..."

The young boy named Qin Yu was very talkative. At first, he was a bit reserved due to Li Cunxiao's appearance, but he quickly opened up:

"...You know, our escort agency's Tiger Form Fist is something even the young masters from the inner city would fight tooth and nail for, even paying money to learn!"

Li Cunxiao, who had been silent all along, suddenly perked up:

"Tiger Form Fist?"

"Brother Qin, can you tell me more about it?"