Golden Wheat Ear Caravan

The east gate of Changhe City was as bustling as ever, though the usual chaos from the Adventurer's Guild was replaced by the more orderly flow of merchants and travelers.

Xia Lin spotted the banner of the "Golden Wheat Ear" merchant caravan immediately. Several wagons, completely covered with thick tarps, were pulled by plump, well-groomed horses that gleamed with oil, showcasing the caravan leader's strength and meticulousness.

Beside the caravan stood a middle-aged man wearing a respectable silk vest. He was slightly plump, sported a neat little mustache, and stood with his hands behind his back, scrutinizing the Adventurers applying for the job with a discerning eye.

This must be the caravan leader, that shrewd merchant.

Behind him stood five burly men, all clad in matching chainmail and wearing standard-issue scimitars at their waists. Their sharp gazes and slightly bulging temples marked them as well-trained professional guards, far from a hastily assembled group.

The one at the front was slightly older, with a few faint scars on his face. He stood ramrod straight, his gaze steady and sharp.

Xia Lin observed his well-maintained, yet clearly military-style equipment, as well as the concise and efficient gestures he used to direct the other guards. He made a judgment: this was likely a veteran soldier, perhaps even a former squad leader.

With such professionals in charge, the safety of this job seemed significantly higher.

A faint aroma of fermented grain wafted from the wagons, suggesting they were primarily transporting alcohol and grain.

Besides Xia Lin, a dozen or so other Adventurers were scattered around, hoping to secure this job.

Xia Lin glanced over them and found them to be truly a mixed bag.

The best of them were probably around his previous level – their equipment was barely adequate, their eyes held a hint of ferocity, but they clearly lacked sufficient combat experience.

The rest were a sorry sight.

After chasing away a farmer who tried to pass off a sickle as a grappling hook, it was finally Xia Lin's turn.

"Next!" the caravan leader gestured with his chin, his gaze falling on Xia Lin.

Xia Lin stepped forward.

The caravan leader, a merchant who called himself Master Borin, swept his sharp gaze over Xia Lin like a hawk.

When he saw Xia Lin's obviously reinforced leather armor, inlaid with dark gold scales on the chest and shoulders, and the finely crafted longsword at his waist, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Name?"

"Xia Lin Toremo."

"Hmm, Toremo..." Merchant Borin seemed to recognize the surname but didn't pry, merely nodding. "Good equipment, and you look presentable. Let me see your weapon."

Xia Lin drew the Stone Fist Fine Work Longsword and handed it over.

The guard captain beside Borin took the sword, tested its weight, flicked the blade with his finger, listened to the sound, and nodded.

"Alright, you passed," Merchant Borin said crisply. "Stand aside and wait."

Xia Lin felt a sense of relief; his new equipment had clearly made a good impression.

He moved to the side and watched Merchant Borin continue the selection process. Soon, a few more people passed the inspection and were hired.

Xia Lin observed his temporary "colleagues."

A human woman with a longbow and a high ponytail stood silently, habitually plucking at the bowstring, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings with an air of vigilance. She introduced herself as Shamir.

Beside her was a tall human male, carrying a greatsword that matched his height. His name was Kyle. He simply leaned against a wagon shaft with his arms crossed, resting with his eyes closed, seemingly indifferent to everything around him.

A lively female Halfling was also among those selected. She was small, with two daggers tucked at her waist, and was curiously examining the items on the wagons. She winked at Xia Lin and cheerfully introduced herself as Pip. However, Xia Lin noticed her small hands inadvertently brushed past a guard's coin purse as she spoke, her movements almost too fast to see.

In the crowd was also a male gnome named Fitzwick. He ignored everyone, squatting on the ground and intently fiddling with his modified heavy crossbow, muttering to himself and occasionally pulling out clinking small parts from his large toolbox.

The last member chosen was the most mysterious.

It was a person completely wrapped in a headscarf and veil, revealing only a figure that seemed to lean towards feminine, with deep, inscrutable eyes.

She called herself "Sera," her voice slightly hoarse, and remained silent about her race and origins.

She stood quietly in the shadows of a corner, her voluminous robes concealing her entire body. It was impossible to tell if she carried any weapons, but her stance was steady and her steps light, as if she could merge into the shadows at any moment.

Including Xia Lin, a total of six Adventurers were hired.

"Alright, that's everyone," Merchant Borin clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "I am Master Borin, in charge of this caravan. We are heading to the provincial capital, Orlando. If all goes smoothly, it should take about two and a half days. The rules are simple: obey orders, protect the goods and our non-combat personnel. Upon arrival, payment will be made – four silver coins, no delays."

He began assigning tasks: "Kyle, Aila, you two will be responsible for the front guard. Xia Lin, Fitzwick, you will cover the middle section, protecting the main cargo. Pip, Sera, you will be in charge of the rear, watching for stragglers and providing rear guard."

Borin paused, then pointed to his five sturdy guards. "My men will be interspersed throughout the convoy to assist you. Understood?"

Everyone nodded or responded affirmatively.

"Very well, check your equipment, and we depart immediately!"

At Borin's command, the large caravan began to move slowly. Wagon wheels rumbled over the stone road, horses neighed, and people shouted to each other, merging into the stream of traffic leaving the city.

Xia Lin was assigned to the middle section of the caravan, right next to several wagons filled with wine barrels.

The gnome Fitzwick skillfully climbed onto the roof of a wagon, continuing to tinker with his crossbow and those strange little gadgets, occasionally letting out a satisfied "Heh heh."

The procession moved smoothly. Xia Lin watched the dusty walls of Changhe City recede behind them, a sense of emotion stirring within him.

Two and a half days of travel, there shouldn't be any major trouble, right? He recalled the condition of the road in the past and felt slightly relieved.

Shortly after Xia Lin's caravan disappeared at the end of the official road, at the Adventurer's Guild.

The expressionless middle-aged man behind the counter was idly sorting through quest slips.

A young runner in a guild uniform rushed in breathlessly and slapped a new piece of parchment onto the counter.

"Emergency! Emergency mission update! The route to the provincial capital!"

The middle-aged man frowned, picked up the parchment that still seemed warm with ink, and quickly scanned it.

His eyelids twitched violently, and the hand holding the parchment paused slightly.

"Tsk..." He put down the parchment, rubbed his temples, and looked in the direction of the doorway, muttering to himself:

"That kid, his luck can't be that bad, can it?"