Worry

Jiang Ping looked at this self-important genius, not knowing what to say.

How had he become unable to walk the moment he saw a woman, even willing to lead a horse for her?

Fine. Someone was scrambling to take on work—could he really refuse? It left him free and easy instead.

"Sure." He nodded readily, leaving Fang Yong slightly surprised.

The latter had been prepared to argue, even come to blows. And the other man was giving up just like that?

Still, this made Fang Yong breathe a sigh of relief. He was even somewhat pleased, and the way he looked at Jiang Ping softened.

Jiang Ping had no idea what went on in the other man's mind. He turned sideways and returned to his room.

Early the next morning, after breakfast, Fang Yong eagerly led the Blood Sweat Horse to the entrance of the Post Station.

Seeing Fang Yong practically glowing with triumph, Liu Wensheng could not help elbowing Jiang Ping. "Man! You gave him the job of leading the horse?"

"What, you want to lead that horse too?" Jiang Ping shot him a glance. Liu Wensheng shook his head. "I'd rather find a chance to talk to Lady Chen, but she hasn't even spared us a proper glance."

"See? I told you, that girl's a little insecure."

"..." Liu Wensheng fell silent.

Just then, Lady Chen happened to pass by. The little maid behind her turned around and pulled a face at Jiang Ping. "My young miss isn't insecure at all."

Before long.

The group hurried on their way.

Fang Yong walked ahead, leading Lady Chen's horse and enthusiastically chatting with her as they went.

Jiang Ping, meanwhile, had it much easier. He walked at the very back alongside Escort Huang, looking thoroughly relaxed all the way.

He even tried practicing swordsmanship in his mind while traveling, dividing his attention between two tasks.

But that did not last long.

More than half an hour later, Lady Chen pulled on the reins and brought the Blood Sweat Horse to a stop, then called Escort Huang over.

A moment later, the horse rope was back in Jiang Ping's bewildered hands.

He had been practicing his swordsmanship. Why had the rope come back to him again?

Lady Chen was stingy with words, but the maid complained, "That Fang Yong is too noisy."

Jiang Ping understood at once.

At the rear.

The resentment Fang Yong had set aside when looking at Jiang Ping rose again. Escort Huang explained, "This is your first time meeting Lady Chen. You are not yet acquainted, so you should not be so presumptuous."

Huang Youren put it very tactfully, but Fang Yong immediately understood. The other man thought he talked too much and acted overly familiar. At once, he said, "Escort Huang, I'll correct myself. Could you explain it to Lady Chen and let Jiang Ping and me switch back?"

"This..." Escort Huang was rather speechless, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

He had explained things to Fang Yong because he did not want him to resent Jiang Ping, causing the person he admired to suffer this genius's jealousy.

But he wanted even less to offend that Lady Chen.

In the end, Fang Yong could only watch Jiang Ping lead the beauty's horse, so he vented his displeasure on the Porters.

The Porters were on the verge of tears. What terrible luck had they stumbled into? They had clearly done nothing wrong, yet they had to endure this genius's scolding.

This child still needs tempering, Escort Huang thought as he watched Fang Yong throw his weight around.

Time passed.

As dusk approached, Jiang Ping's group finally reached Yun County's county seat.

"It's much smaller than I imagined," Liu Wensheng said as he looked over the bustling streets.

"This county is relatively poor. Whether in the number of martial artists or their strength, it cannot compare to our Yang City." Escort Huang spoke, then told everyone, "First, deliver the goods. We'll eat and rest briefly, then continue on our journey."

"We're not staying at an inn? We've been traveling all day." Fang Yong, who had finally found an opportunity to lead Lady Chen's horse, asked, though Lady Chen was no longer on horseback.

"We'll travel by water tonight. We can rest aboard the boat," the Chen Family's Little Maid said. Clearly, this was not her and her young miss's first time traveling far from home; they knew the route well.

Afterward.

Several Senior Drafters took the Porters to deliver the goods. Fang Yong said he wanted to protect Lady Chen, while Jiang Ping and Liu Wensheng, traveling far from home for the first time and finding everything novel, wandered around the city.

Only when the agreed time arrived did the two reluctantly head for the meeting place.

The moment he entered the restaurant, Jiang Ping saw Escort Huang reading a letter in an empty corner.

After reading it, the man burned the letter, then furrowed his brow slightly.

Just as Jiang Ping grew curious, Escort Huang pulled him aside and spoke in a low voice.

"Traveling by water is much safer, but there are also 'Water Monkeys' who make their living on the water. They are quite strong, skilled in the water, and many bodyguard agencies have no way to deal with them."

"The important thing is that the leader of these water bandits has been friends with one of Chenfeng Bodyguard Agency's Head Escorts for many years. Under normal circumstances, they will not come into conflict with us, but if anything unexpected happens, do not concern yourself with anything. Just run as hard as you can and save your life."

"Unfortunately, you're already on the Escort Mission roster. You can't be a deserter. Otherwise, I'd want to send you straight back home right now."

Jiang Ping was flattered beyond measure. The other man seemed to be looking after him as though he were one of his own juniors.

He noticed the worry in Escort Huang's eyes and could not help asking why, but the man merely shook his head. "It involves confidential matters. I cannot say."

Jiang Ping fell silent for a moment before asking, "How strong is that leader?"

"Eighth Rank. About as strong as Head Escort Liang."

Jiang Ping inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Eighth Rank against Eighth Rank—the advantage was his.

After finishing his instructions for Jiang Ping, Escort Huang went to speak with Fang Yong. The result was that Fang Yong openly and honestly declared, "If I am an escort, why should I fear danger?"

As he spoke, this worldly-ignorant genius even glanced at Lady Chen and declared loudly, "I, Fang Yong, fear no Bandits!"

"What a show-off." Liu Wensheng curled his lip.

Meanwhile, Jiang Ping stroked his chin and pondered carefully.

The Night Sky fell, stars scattered across it.

Jiang Ping and the others set out once more.

They boarded a rather large Merchant Ship and traveled upstream toward their second stop.

Halfway there, the Merchant Ship abruptly came to a halt.

Standing on the deck, Jiang Ping could see clearly that two ships of similar size had blocked their path.

Flames blazed skyward from both vessels, staining the river red, while coarse, boisterous shouts gradually drew closer.

"It's a Black Water Gang ship!" a passenger shrieked in alarm.

"Quick, everyone, come with me!"

Escort Huang's expression changed slightly as he immediately called out in a low voice.

Soon, the group crowded into a single room.

Unlike the others, the three newcomers on their first Escort Mission were all quite curious.

Escort Huang smiled. "An Escort Mission is all about worldly dealings. When we encounter bandits, we avoid them if we can. That way, we lose less silver as well. If we truly cannot avoid them, it will not be too late to step forward then."

"This is far too stifling. We act openly and aboveboard, yet we have to avoid this pack of Water Monkeys." Fang Yong spoke indignantly.

"Their Momentum is stronger than ours. Besides, this is also to earn more silver. If we can avoid this trouble, you'll all receive a larger share of the money." Escort Huang gave a bitter smile, as though this was far from his first time hiding like this.

Not far away, Lady Chen's expression was somewhat indifferent, as though she was accustomed to it. The Little maid beside her, however, was rather excited. "Roaming the martial world is so interesting."

Da Da Da!

Outside, footsteps on the deck grew louder and louder. It seemed the Black Water Gang's men had boarded the Merchant Ship, stirring up a commotion.

Then came the sound of conversation, as though the Merchant Ship's owner was speaking with the water bandits.

"Get lost!" A roar suddenly rang out. The water bandits seemingly showed no respect at all, shouting loudly:

"Four Seas Escort Agency, stop playing turtle grandsons. Your grandpa knows you're on this ship. Come out."

"You've gone too far!" Fang Yong flew into a rage at the slightest provocation and immediately moved to head outside.