Discussion

Cheng Li hadn't expected things to escalate to this point.

He sighed and recounted the whole story:

"That strongman is a Branch Hall Master of the Canal Gang, named 'Iron Butcher'."

"And the Young Master Lu he mentioned is the son of the Canal Gang's overall leader, Lu Polang. His name is Lu Hong."

As soon as these words were spoken.

The convoy fell into immediate silence.

Only the chaotic sound of horse hooves echoed in the quiet night sky, da da.

The Canal Gang.

An existence that was second to none throughout Jiangzhou.

It was known that the Li Family was considered a top faction in Pingcheng just by being able to have minor connections with a Canal Gang helmsman.

To have provoked such a colossal power, several escorts couldn't help but feel a desire to retreat.

Cheng Li continued:

"Young friend Chen, I am truly sorry. The reason I didn't speak up earlier was mainly out of fear of the news leaking..."

Chen Feng felt.

That more than anything, it was a concern that if people heard they were provoking the Canal Gang, no one would be willing to take the job.

"If everyone is willing to lend my Cheng Family a hand, the promised reward will be paid in full, and there will be generous compensation later."

After hearing Cheng Li's words.

Chen Feng glanced back at his companions from the Changwei Escort Agency.

He also needed to consider everyone's opinion.

The others merely looked at Chen Feng. With Zhang Biao Tou absent, the group lacked a leader, and they implicitly looked to Chen Feng for guidance.

Chen Feng said in a deep voice, "Stop at the next resting place. We need to discuss this."

"Alright."

Cheng Li replied.

Afterward, the convoy fell into a long silence. Although they were traveling together, two distinct lines had already been drawn between them.

Cheng's side.

and the Escort Agency Faction led by Chen Feng.

The night sky was clear, without dark clouds. A bright moon illuminated the Official Road clearly.

It also illuminated the bushes on both sides, making them appear slightly sinister.

Everyone stopped talking and focused on the journey.

There was only slight movement inside the Horse Carriage, seemingly Cheng Tingxue scolding a Maid, but her voice was low.

It was completely drowned out by the sound of horse hooves.

Only a faint, hidden fragrance lingered.

It wasn't dawn yet.

The convoy had arrived at the next Inn.

After a night of non-stop travel, even though everyone was a Martial Artist, their bodies felt a bit tired.

But they couldn't sleep.

They could only rest briefly, replenish some water and food, and then set off.

The four from Changwei Escort Agency gathered together, discussing what to do next.

"Chen Feng, tell us, we'll listen to you."

Wang Huan spoke.

He was always straightforward and spoke his mind, but at a crucial moment, he didn't know what to say.

Chen Feng shook his head: "This is a matter of great importance. Everyone must voice their thoughts. Hiding them will surely lead to trouble."

"Moreover, you all know better than I do that Cheng Tingxue was already married into the Xu Family, but now she has to return to the Cheng Family."

"This can only mean that even the Xu Family can't afford to offend Lu Hong, forcing Cheng Tingxue to return to her maiden home for help. The danger involved is evident."

Chen Feng's own thought was to continue helping.

Firstly, he could earn money. Secondly... he heard that Fifth Senior Sister had a good relationship with this woman.

Chen Feng wanted to help as much as he could.

But he couldn't make decisions for others.

Whether to stay or go depends on them.

The three fell silent.

Then Zhang Jiu spoke his mind:

"Why don't we just keep following? We're already halfway there, and it's not realistic to turn back alone..."

Chen Feng nodded.

The other two also hardened their resolve:

"Let's follow! There's no such thing as giving up halfway. We deserve a share of this money."

The one speaking was Old Li.

Chen Feng looked at Old Li. He remembered that Old Li's family seemed to be in dire need of money.

He heard that after every escort mission, Old Li would save the money and be reluctant to spend it.

"Alright, then I'll go talk to Cheng Li again and increase the stakes."

Chen Feng was about to get up.

At this moment, his nose caught a whiff of fragrance.

He frowned and turned to look.

As expected, he saw a maid holding Cheng Tingxue's hand as the two women walked towards them.

Cheng Tingxue bowed slightly to everyone and then said:

"Sirs, regarding the unpleasantness earlier, it was my fault. I will discipline my servants more strictly in the future. Please forgive me."

She bit her lip lightly, looking pitiful.

Zhang Jiu became flustered and quickly said, "Madam, it's alright, it's alright, it's a small matter."

"We..."

Chen Feng quickly raised his hand.

Stopping Zhang Jiu from continuing.

Chen Feng glanced at Old Li and Wang Huan beside him. He saw that they were also stammering.

He immediately felt a sense of foreboding:

"This woman is quite skilled. Not only does she know how to use her advantages, but her advantages are also astonishingly great."

Chen Feng withdrew his gaze and cupped his hands, saying:

"I was just about to tell Madam that we've reached a decision. This journey is perilous, so the reward money must be doubled."

"Furthermore, when faced with disagreements, we few must have the final say. Our authority should be at least higher than those two Blood Refining Realm cultivators from your Xu Family."

"Both conditions are non-negotiable. Otherwise, we won't discuss it further."

Chen Feng's tone was calm and unhurried.

Zhang Jiu's lips moved after hearing this, but he thought that Chen Feng was acting in everyone's best interest and let it go.

The maid saw this and was about to speak, but Cheng Tingxue subtly tugged at her, stopping her.

Chen Feng frowned.

He felt something was off about the maid.

When Chen Feng first transmigrated, he had considered working as a laborer in a large family.

Because the pay was higher.

But he abandoned the idea after seeing how servants were treated worse than dogs.

However, this Cheng Family was too accommodating to their servants, was it because of Cheng Tingxue?

Chen Feng didn't know.

Cheng Tingxue pondered for a moment and then said:

"Alright, I can agree to both these conditions. When we return to the Cheng Family, I will give each of you sixty taels of silver."

Chen Feng was stunned. Sixty taels.

And sixty taels each.

That was over two hundred taels for the four of them.

At this moment, Chen Feng could clearly hear his companions behind him gasping for air.

They were all stunned by Madam Cheng's immense wealth.

Keep in mind, the original reward was only twenty-five taels.

Of course, Chen Feng also noticed a detail in her words – "When we return to the Cheng Family."

Naturally, this implied that if anything went wrong...

Not a single point.

Even if someone died on the road.

Still not a single point.

"Good! It's a deal." Chen Feng agreed.

After Cheng Tingxue thanked him, she turned and returned to the horse carriage. Even in a gauze skirt, the astonishing curve of her full hips could not be hidden.

Chen Feng turned his head, looking at the expressions of the onlookers who seemed about to drool, feeling quite helpless.

"Hey! Stop looking."

Zhang Jiu jolted, wiped his mouth, and laughed awkwardly: "Haha, uh, I suddenly remembered something, I was distracted..."

Wang Huan seemed to still be savoring it.

He said blankly:

"How can one person be so beautiful? Her figure is also good. I really want to marry her and keep her at home..."

Chen Feng couldn't hold back: "Don't you have a wife!"

"Haha, just kidding, just kidding."

Chen Feng now only hoped that these teammates wouldn't let their lower heads control their upper heads at critical moments.

"Old Li is still the most steady..."

Chen Feng turned his head to look at the other side, only to find Old Li also staring blankly at Cheng Tingxue's departing back.

Chen Feng: "..."

Hopeless.

After resting, the group immediately mounted their horses and hurried on their way, seizing the time.

On their escape route, they naturally no longer cared about the rule of not traveling at night.

The terrifying enemy that only two Bone Forging Martial Artists could stop was still watching menacingly from behind.

Only one Branch Hall Master had appeared so far.

No one knew what other figures would appear later, so being able to run faster was always good.

Currently, Cheng Li is the only Bone Forging Martial Artist in the group, putting them in a rather dire situation.

Two martial artists from the Xu Family.

Upon seeing the group's decision.

A hidden contemptuous smile appeared on their faces, as if mocking the four:

"Aren't you just following along like dogs for a few lousy coins."

However, due to Cheng Li's pressure.

The two from the Xu Family didn't dare to openly mock them.

They still had to report back to the Xu Family, and they didn't want any real problems that would cost them their jobs.

Zhang Jiu noticed the attitude of those two.

But he didn't say anything. Sixty taels of silver, plus Cheng Tingxue's smile.

Made him not want to dwell on it too much.

As for Chen Feng.

He had fallen into deep thought.

Ever since Cheng Li revealed the truth earlier, one thing had been bothering him greatly—

The attitude of the Cheng and Xu families.

It was somewhat ambiguous.