Setting Out on an Escort Run

In March, on an early spring morning, the thin mist had yet to disperse.

The sky had only begun to pale like a fish's belly, and everything remained shrouded in haze.

Jiang Qinghe passed through streets and alleys still sunk in sleep, making his way toward the Yongxing Escort Agency.

When he arrived, he saw that the gates stood wide open, while inside, the place was already bustling with activity.

Beneath the Escort Agency's great banner, some thirty Escorts had gathered together.

All wore light-brown long robes and light-brown belts, with a short blade hanging at each person's waist.

At that moment, Gong Jie stood before the gathered Escorts alongside two middle-aged men.

One of them was Gong Jun. He still wore that neat brown fighting outfit, a stiff cowhide belt around his waist, standing tall and trim.

The other was around forty, with a sharp, capable face and a neat short mustache. He was none other than Chief Escort Gong Yongxing.

Though he was as short and sturdily built as Gong Jie, there was an imposing air in his brow that commanded respect without anger.

Like Gong Jun, he wore a brown fighting outfit, though its color was somewhat darker than that of the ordinary Escorts.

Gong Yongxing swept his gaze over the crowd and gave a light cough.

"Brothers, quiet down!"

He rubbed his palms together lightly, producing a dry rasp like wood striking stone. Clearly, his external martial arts had reached a considerable level.

"Most of you here are veterans. Of course, there are a few newcomers, so I'll briefly go over the rules for an escort run again!"

"First, our destination for this journey is the city. One way alone is two days farther than our usual trips to neighboring counties. No one is permitted to leave the group without authorization!"

"Second, if there is an important or urgent matter, explain it clearly to Gong Jun first and let him decide."

"Third..."

After reeling off a string of rules, Gong Jie, standing behind Gong Yongxing, spotted Jiang Qinghe some distance away and hurriedly waved to him.

Understanding, Jiang Qinghe walked over.

Gong Jun saw him as well and greeted him warmly.

"Qinghe! This trip, you'll be with A-Jie. Look after each other. If anything comes up, come find me anytime!"

Hearing this, Jiang Qinghe nodded in reply.

At this point, Gong Jie's father, Gong Yongxing, turned around as well. The sternness on his face softened considerably.

He smiled, his attitude toward Jiang Qinghe quite gentle.

"Qinghe, I've often heard A-Jie mention you. Now I've finally met you in person. You truly are a fine-looking talent!"

Jiang Qinghe hurriedly cupped his hands in salute.

"Uncle Gong flatters me. On this escort run, I hope for much of your guidance."

"It's no problem. The more escort runs you make, the more familiar you naturally become with it."

Gong Yongxing laughed.

"Even with a mind as dull as A-Jie's, he figured out the ropes after three or four trips. With your cleverness, I expect you'll be handling it with ease once this trip is over!"

"Dad!"

Gong Jie heard his father implying that he was stupid and immediately cried out in protest.

Suppressing a laugh, Jiang Qinghe said, "Thank you, Uncle Gong."

As he spoke, he quickly tugged Gong Jie by the sleeve and pulled him aside, lest he say anything more.

Gong Yongxing and Gong Jun exchanged smiles. After taking another headcount, Gong Yongxing finally waved his hand and gave the order.

The Escorts took their positions, guarding the escort wagons as they slowly headed for Lin'an County's south gate.

Once they passed through the south gate, the view before them suddenly opened up.

A broad official road stretched southward, wide enough for three or four carriages to travel abreast.

Compared with the narrow road through the west gate that Jiang Qinghe had taken to Wasteland Forest before, it was as different as heaven and earth.

At this time, the escort banner was raised among the procession. The great flag embroidered with the characters Yongxing fluttered gently in the wind.

Gong Yongxing and Gong Jun each rode a fine horse, one clearing the way at the front and the other holding the rear.

The escort wagons, pulled by horses, traveled through the middle, while the Escorts guarded them from all sides in orderly formation.

Jiang Qinghe and Gong Jie walked in the middle of the procession. Everyone moved at a brisk pace without delay.

Tall trees lined both sides of the official road, their branches interwoven until they nearly blotted out the sky and sun.

When they looked back, Lin'an County's low outer walls had vanished from sight before long.

After more than half a day, the procession had traveled dozens of li.

Yet the scenery on both sides had changed little. Endless woodland still stretched all the way to the horizon.

The blazing sun hung high overhead, while the calls of unknown insects rang deafeningly through the forest, adding several degrees of stifling heat.

"Qinghe!"

Gong Jie wiped the sweat from his brow, then leaned his head over with a mysterious expression.

"Do you know what cargo we're transporting this time?"

"Hmm?"

A trace of curiosity rose in Jiang Qinghe's heart.

"Fire Fox Pelts!"

Gong Jie lowered his voice.

"They were skinned from Second Tier Demon Beast Fire Foxes and are being delivered to Nishang Pavilion in the city."

Excitement gleamed in his eyes.

"The fur is scarlet as flame, yet it feels as warm and smooth as jade. Clothes and capes made from it are both light and thin, yet keep out the cold. I hear they're highly sought after by the women of the city's great clans."

Hearing this, Jiang Qinghe shook his head repeatedly.

"Making such a grand fuss just to transport some fur is truly extravagant!"

Gong Jie laughed.

"You don't understand. A complete Fire Fox Pelt is worth dozens of taels. The cargo in a single wagon like this could support an ordinary family for more than ten generations."

After a pause, he added, "Besides, although Fire Foxes are only Second Tier Demon Beasts and not of a high rank, they are extremely cunning. Who knows how much effort it took to obtain so many pelts."

Jiang Qinghe clicked his tongue in amazement. Then, recalling something, he asked, "A-Jie, you said before that you'd encountered bandits several times. But from what I've seen along the way, the official road is quite peaceful. There are hardly even any people in sight."

Gong Jie wore the expression of an old hand.

"How could you run into road robbers so easily? The timing of our journeys is confidential, and Mountain Bandits need to make a living too. They can't squat by the roadside every day waiting for us."

He puffed out his chest.

"Besides, while this trip doesn't have the largest number of men the agency can send, every one of them is a master capable of taking on ten. Not to mention my father overseeing things personally. What ordinary bandits would dare provoke us so lightly?"

Hearing this, Jiang Qinghe felt reassured, though at the same time, some of the mystery he had associated with escort runs faded away.

For three days in a row, everything was indeed calm and peaceful.

Gradually, the scenery beside the road shifted from dense forest to open fields. Amid the crisscrossing paths, they could already see farmers at work.

"We're almost there!"

Someone in the procession shouted excitedly.

That night, beside an abandoned sheepfold stood several connected low earthen houses.

They appeared to have been deserted for a long time, but the interiors were not particularly messy. Clearly, passing travelers often stopped here to rest.

After everyone tied up the horses and arranged the cargo, they sat in a circle around the sheepfold and lit a bonfire.

As the firelight flickered, two Escorts suddenly rose to their feet and walked toward the open space in the middle.

"What are they doing?"

Jiang Qinghe nudged Gong Jie, his face full of confusion.

Gong Jie smiled.

"Qinghe, we can't drink wine or gorge ourselves on meat along the way. Aside from shooting the breeze, there's nothing much to do."

"So, on the night before we're about to reach our destination, we usually have a sparring match to liven things up!"

Jiang Qinghe understood.

Where there were people, there was bound to be competition. Those of the martial world were even more so.

At this moment, the two men who had entered the field had already collided.

They fought barehanded, neither using the short blades they had brought along for this journey.

After all, blades and swords had no eyes. Injuries from them were not as quick to heal as bruises from fists and kicks, and if someone were truly hurt, it would be troublesome.