Lend a Hand

Chen Luo drove the donkey cart and arrived at the entrance of an escort agency. Tiger Might Escort Agency! The entrance was very grand, and even at night, it was still bustling with activity. Merchants and travelers were constantly bringing goods inside, and large crates over two meters wide filled the entire courtyard.

The escort agency was opened by Crippled Ma's senior brother apprentice. Crippled Ma had mentioned his senior brother apprentice to him back when he was learning the fist techniques.

When Chen Luo first thought about coming to White Dragon City, he had planned to seek connections. This was also why he had gone to visit his Master, Crippled Ma, before leaving.

It was a pity he hadn't been able to see him. Otherwise, with a letter of introduction, there wouldn't have been so much trouble.

"Who are you looking for?"

The escort guard at the entrance saw Chen Luo's stopped donkey cart and thought he was there to transport goods for the agency, so he asked.

"Excuse me, please inform Master Ruan Jianglong that a disciple of an old friend from Qingya County is visiting."

After getting out of the cart, Chen Luo respectfully bowed to the escort disciple at the entrance, then took out the token Crippled Ma had given him from his sleeve. Without a handwritten letter, he could only use this for now. He only hoped that this Senior Martial Uncle of his still recognized their relationship, otherwise, it would be troublesome.

Trying to inquire about the White Immortal Cave's location on his own would definitely be the worst approach. Although according to the Nineteen Young Master, the whereabouts of the White Immortal Cave could be asked about anywhere, that was based on the Nineteen Young Master's status as a marquis's heir apparent. For ordinary people, inquiring about the White Immortal Cave's location would definitely not be simple, and they might not even get an answer by spending money. The information he had bought in Qingya County was only the general location of White Dragon City.

Information always circulated within a specific class and was completely blocked from the lower classes. The information about the White Immortal Cave was the same.

"An old friend from Qingya County?"

The escort guard who took the token looked at it with a puzzled expression, put the token in his hand, and said to Chen Luo.

"Then go wait in the side hall. That's where we receive guests anyway."

After speaking, he waved his hand, and soon a disciple came over and helped Chen Luo lead the donkey cart away.

Chen Luo wasn't afraid of losing the donkey cart and followed the man into the Tiger Might Escort Agency. It wasn't until he was settled in the reception hall that the disciple rushed to the back courtyard with the token, presumably to report to Chief Escort Ruan.

Chen Luo found a seat and sat down.

Besides him, there were two other guests in the reception hall, but judging by their attire, they were genuine guests, the kind who had business to discuss with the Tiger Might Escort Agency. Chen Luo just glanced at them casually and didn't pay any more attention.

His gaze turned to other parts of the room. Besides the tables and chairs for receiving guests, there was a large flower pot in the corner of the room, with a thriving green plant in it. Chen Luo didn't recognize what kind of plant it was, but from the leaves, it looked somewhat like gladiolus, though it was likely not. It was probably a wealth-attracting plant unique to this world.

Business people believed in such things.

Besides the plant, there were also some calligraphies and paintings hanging in other parts of the room, with seals of famous artists on the sides.

Chen Luo didn't know any famous people in this world, so he didn't look closely. However, as his gaze swept over one painting, he subconsciously stopped because he saw a familiar name.

Wang Chengguan!

Chen Luo had a very deep memory of this name.

On that day, Qingya County suffered the Calamity of War, and many places were burned down, but only one house was completely unharmed. Chen Luo had even gone in to inspect it at the time and saw a piece of calligraphy on the desk. The person who wrote the calligraphy was this 'Wang Chengguan'.

"Little brother, have you also heard of Immortal Master Wang's reputation?"

The merchant sitting next to Chen Luo saw this and asked curiously.

Since Chen Luo came in, Shen Jiu had been observing him. Now that he saw him also noticing that piece of calligraphy and painting, he suddenly felt like he had found a kindred spirit.

"Immortal Master Wang?"

Chen Luo was also stunned. He hadn't expected this Wang Chengguan to have such a background.

However, before he could ask for details, the escort guard who had gone to deliver the token returned. Seeing him, he immediately spoke.

"The Chief Escort wants you to come in."

After saying this, the escort guard also apologized to Boss Shen and the other merchant.

"Please wait a moment, gentlemen. I have already reported the escort you specified to the Chief Escort, and they should be on their way now."

These two were old customers of their Tiger Might Escort Agency. They were waiting here because they had specified the escort they wanted.

"No rush, no rush."

Both of them quickly stood up and returned the bow to the escort guard.

A large escort agency that could establish itself in the provincial capital inherently represented a huge network of connections. Although they were wealthy, they also knew the underlying interests and dared not put on any airs at all.

Chen Luo followed the leading escort guard through the reception hall and went to the back courtyard.

This Tiger Might Escort Agency was quite large.

After leaving the reception hall, they passed through two more courtyards before reaching the Chief Escort's residence. Upon arriving, the leading escort guard said a polite word and turned to leave.

Chen Luo looked through the courtyard gate and saw two people sitting inside.

One was a burly, bald man with exposed muscles. His black short shirt completely failed to conceal the fierce aura around him. Just sitting there, he was like a predatory tiger, giving off a vicious feeling. As for the other person, it was Chen Luo's Master, Crippled Ma!

"Master?!"

Chen Luo was also stunned.

He hadn't expected Crippled Ma to be in this place. No wonder he hadn't been able to find him when he went to visit earlier.

"Haha, you've come at the right time. Let me introduce you."

Seeing Chen Luo's shocked expression, Crippled Ma couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He also hadn't expected to meet Chen Luo here. He had a particularly deep impression of this disciple whom he had only taught for half a month. There was a high probability that his current trip out of the mountains was also influenced by Chen Luo.

"This is your Senior Martial Uncle, Ruan Jianglong, the Chief Escort of the Tiger Might Escort Agency and also the senior brother apprentice of our Black Tiger Fist lineage, a Grandmaster who has cultivated the Black Tiger Fist to great perfection." As he said this, Crippled Ma's face showed a proud expression.

It was indeed something to be proud of for a fist technique lineage to have a Mountain-鎮高手.

He was actually startled himself when he saw Ruan Jianglong this time.

He had never even heard of a Grandmaster expert before, and no one in the Black Tiger Sect had ever been able to cultivate their martial arts to this level.

Even the perfected Black Tiger Fist was, at most, only at the early stage of Bone Forging.

Yet, his Senior Brother Apprentice had somehow managed to cultivate this very martial art all the way to the Grandmaster level. This truly opened his eyes and formally introduced him to the realms beyond Bone Forging. However, Crippled Ma also knew that his Senior Brother Apprentice, Ruan Jianglong, must have had his own fortuitous encounters; otherwise, it would have been impossible to cultivate the Black Tiger Fist to this extent.

To have reached this level from the same lineage had already created a significant gap between him and his fellow disciples.

But everyone had their own story. Crippled Ma himself had once been a formidable expert in his youth, reaching the Bone Forging Realm quite early. If not for an unforeseen incident, he might very well be a Grandmaster now.

"Greetings, Senior Martial Uncle Ruan."

Chen Luo respectfully bowed to Ruan Jianglong as a junior.

"Is this the genius you were talking about? Doesn't seem like much."

Ruan Jianglong scrutinized Chen Luo from head to toe, his eyes filled with doubt. Just like Crippled Ma when he first met Chen Luo, he could tell at a glance that Chen Luo's aptitude was poor. He would believe it if someone called this person trash, but a genius? He'd be the first to disagree.

"My disciple here is different. I also misjudged him back then," Crippled Ma naturally knew what his Senior Brother Apprentice was thinking and offered a reminder.

"Whether he's a true genius, we'll know after a test. Come, let's spar."

Ruan Jianglong still wasn't entirely convinced, so he extended his hand, ready to gauge Chen Luo's capabilities.