Mighty Drafter

Jiang Ping's group, hauling three carts of goods and accompanied by Lady Chen and her maid, reached the post station before nightfall.

"We're here." Escort Huang inwardly breathed a slight sigh of relief.

At this time, the station official heard the commotion and came out with an indifferent face. When he saw Escort Huang, however, he immediately changed expressions and greeted them with a smile.

Not far away.

"Thank you for your trouble." Supported by Jiang Ping, Lady Chen dismounted. She gave Jiang Ping a slight bow, then followed her maid into the post station.

Liu Wensheng sidled up to Jiang Ping, waggling his brows. "Was she fragrant and soft?"

"Yes," Jiang Ping replied irritably.

"At the gate, Fang Yong put on the majesty of a drafter. "Be careful. These are the customer's goods. If anything gets damaged, you'll be the ones paying for it."

These porters knew full well how gifted Fang Yong was. He had entered the escort agency only two months ago, yet was already on par with many Senior Drafters. He was not someone they could afford to provoke, so they obediently listened without daring to voice any complaints.

"Look at him showing off." Liu Wensheng greatly disliked Fang Yong's manner. Even if he was a genius, what was the point of flaunting his authority before ordinary people? Who was he putting on a show for?

"Enough of that. Let's head to the stables."

After saying this, Jiang Ping led the Chen family's Blood Sweat Horse toward the post station's stables.

Post stations were originally places where officials could eat, rest, and change horses during their journeys.

Their ability to lodge here also depended on the standing of the Four Seas Escort Agency and Escort Huang.

By the time Jiang Ping and Liu Wensheng returned from the stables, the fragrance of food was already drifting through the post station courtyard.

Liu Wensheng casually found an empty seat and dug into his meal, while Escort Huang had deliberately saved Jiang Ping a place beside him.

"Master Huang, how much longer until we reach Yun County?"

Jiang Ping asked as soon as he sat down.

For this Escort Mission, they had to pass through five county towns before delivering all the goods, including Miss Chen.

Yun County was their first stop.

"We'll arrive tomorrow afternoon." Escort Huang smiled. He was becoming increasingly pleased with Jiang Ping. The young man's talent had somewhat exceeded his expectations; he seemed only slightly inferior to Fang Yong.

"Isn't that too slow? It'll delay my cultivation somewhat." Fang Yong, seated at the same table as Lady Chen, could not help frowning.

Wouldn't this trip take more than ten days?

"It's not slow. Most of the goods are bound for the first three counties. After that, we can travel light and even journey at night. The round trip will only take seven or eight days," Escort Huang explained.

"That's fine, then." Fang Yong nodded in satisfaction and resumed his lively conversation with Lady Chen.

Fang Yong was in charge of chatting enthusiastically, while Lady Chen treated him as though he were air.

Over here.

Looking at the flag on the distant cargo cart, hanging only halfway up the pole, Jiang Ping asked in confusion, "Master Huang, is there some meaning behind our escort agency's flag being flown at half-mast?"

"Good question." Escort Huang nodded and explained, "This is the primary way ordinary drafters fly their flags when traveling—at half-mast. It means a Benevolence Escort."

"A Benevolence Escort?" Jiang Ping raised a brow.

Huang Youren then said quietly, "You can also think of it as a kind of signal. It means we hope the heroes of every road will give us face and spare us a bite to eat."

"Of course, relying on the Renyi Flag alone won't do." He raised his right hand and rubbed his thumb against his forefinger. "You also need this."

"I understand. You have to pay toll money, and then everyone stays at peace." Jiang Ping felt enlightened.

Whether one worked as an escort or a bandit, it was all for silver. So long as some money was paid, no one wished to start a conflict.

"That's the idea." Escort Huang nodded, then continued, "Some Greenwood Heroes aren't easy to offend, so the toll money must be paid. As for weaker rabble, there's no need to bother with them. Just make a token gesture once in a while over the course of the year."

"Of course, we occasionally run into roaming bandits who don't follow the rules, or who come from elsewhere. Then we can only settle things with our fists."

"But you needn't worry. This route follows familiar official roads. So long as we don't take unfamiliar paths, nothing usually happens."

Jiang Ping listened carefully. It was his first time learning that an Escort Mission involved so many hidden rules.

After thinking for a moment, he suddenly asked, "Master Huang, after taking on an escort job, can one also accept private work?"

"So long as it's along the same route, the escort agency doesn't object. But if you take unfamiliar routes for profit and something goes wrong, the escort agency will naturally punish you severely."

Escort Huang nodded, then lowered his voice. "One of the carts is private work I took on."

Jiang Ping's chopsticks nearly fell to the ground as he stared at Huang Youren with an animated expression.

There were only three carts of goods in total!

But he had not expected the man to tell him something so private.

Clearly, Huang Youren regarded him as one of his own, someone with whom he could speak heart to heart.

"Oh, right." Escort Huang shifted the subject and brought up another kind of escort flag.

"Mighty Drafter?" Jiang Ping's interest was piqued.

"This method of Escort Mission is simpler and more direct. You raise the flag and have the porters shout slogans at the front. It means you won't give any hero or bold man face—if they have the ability, then fight."

"Of course, those who dare to travel under a Mighty Drafter are either backed by deep connections or possess exceptional skill. For instance, if the several Head Escorts of our agency take on an Iron Escort, they raise the Mighty Flag and travel under a Mighty Drafter."

"Come to think of it, these head escorts run Mighty Drafter. One trip earns them several times more than I do taking on this cart of private work."

Escort Huang spoke with great animation, his eyes filled with envy.

Jiang Ping felt a measure of longing as well. Planting a flag and giving no one any face—it was indeed imposing.

After dinner.

All the escorts returned to their rooms to rest. Only the porters needed to stand watch through the night.

Jiang Ping, however, was not very sleepy. Sitting in the courtyard, he held a saber in his right hand but regarded it as a longsword. In his mind, a little figure was wielding Sword Qi.

Riding the Wind Sword!

In a mere eight or nine days, he had cultivated this sword art to the Sword Qi realm.

Perhaps his insight into Blade Art made wielding a sword much easier for him. One look and he understood; one practice session and he soared a thousand miles.

By now, Jiang Ping had cultivated three streams of Sword Qi. It could not be called slow.

Who knew how long passed before a fourth stream of Sword Qi sprang forth on its own.

"Exhilarating!"

Jiang Ping could not help but let out a low shout. When he opened his eyes, he discovered that he was already drenched in sweat.

"Cultivating skills is clearly a mental task for me, yet I still sweat like this. How strange."

Shaking his head, he rose and headed for the bathhouse.

Halfway there, he ran into Lady Chen, who had gotten up in the night.

Her long hair draped over her shoulders, slender eyebrows arched above phoenix eyes. Moonlight spilled over her, lending her a touch of ethereal beauty.

"Were you practicing?" Lady Chen saw the elegant youth covered in sweat and could not help asking.

"Yes." Jiang Ping lied as easily as breathing.

"Mm." Lady Chen said no more, merely thinking to herself, Strange. Why did I not hear any movement when we arrived?

Not long after.

Freshened up, Jiang Ping was preparing to return to his room and rest when he encountered someone else.

Fang Yong.

The other man frowned and said, "Stay away from Lady Chen from now on."

"..." Jiang Ping.

As he stood there speechless, Fang Yong continued in an almost commanding tone:

"Tomorrow, I'll lead Lady Chen's horse. You just mind your own business."