Escorting the Convoy

"It seems the first Mortal Shedding adds strength to one's original physique, transforming flesh and blood to radiate new vitality."

"The second Mortal Shedding, however, increases one's lifespan and further enhances the density of flesh and blood."

Chen Ye carefully turned his gaze inward to observe the changes, his heart surging as he looked at the four months of lifespan added to his panel.

Currently, there were still seven hundred and eight days of lifespan in his system that had not been redeemed; converted into silver, that would require one hundred and seventy-seven taels.

Working at the carriage firm, it was absolutely impossible to save that much in a short time.

But this Mortal Shedding proved another path: breakthroughs in cultivation could also increase one's lifespan.

The Capital City was filled with noble families and countless medicinal pills and cultivation techniques.

As long as he could continue to make progress in his cultivation, even if he lacked silver, he could still cling to his life.

Chen Ye slowly spread his palms and looked down; the layer of golden-gray keratin slowly retracted beneath his skin and vanished.

The few wisps of True Yang radiance near his dantian also converged and returned to calm.

He exhaled a breath of stale air, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard gate, moving from afar to near.

Chen Ye straightened his collar, covering the golden light that had not yet completely faded.

The person who arrived was Steward Shen.

He found Chen Ye and spoke immediately: "The people from the Liu Family have arrived. Since this is your first time escorting a carriage, I will accompany you for this trip, but you will have to handle such errands yourself in the future."

He paused, then continued: "After doing this job for a long time, guests often treat our men like personal bodyguards, so it is inevitable that you will run into all sorts of miscellaneous trouble. Keep that in mind."

Chen Ye cupped his fists: "I appreciate the trouble, Steward. May I ask your name?"

"I am surnamed Shen, third in my family, so others call me Shen Chongsan. Head Escort Sun of the Xinglong Escort Agency is my uncle-in-law."

"So that is how it is; no wonder Head Escort Sun said you were his nephew," Chen Ye realized.

Shen Chongsan walked and spoke: "My uncle-in-law was a fine martial arts talent in his early years, possessing astonishing strength. He had already achieved the second Mortal Shedding while still young. It is a pity that he is older now, and having suffered many hidden injuries while traveling across the country, his vitality has declined severely; he has less than a tenth of his former cultivation left.

A few days ago, he insisted on following the ship to escort goods, and my aunt has been worried sick at home."

Chen Ye did not respond, merely nodding imperceptibly.

As they spoke, the two reached the front hall.

Shen Chongsan walked up to a middle-aged man dressed in a brocade robe.

"Manager of the Liu Family, sorry to keep you waiting. I didn't expect you to come personally to collect the carriage today."

The middle-aged man in the brocade robe looked arrogant: "Where is my master's carriage?"

Shen Chongsan's smile remained unchanged: "Manager, follow me; the carriage is already prepared."

With that, Shen Chongsan led the Liu Family manager to a carriage with a very plain exterior.

The carriage looked extremely unremarkable; there were no extra copper ornaments, no carved decorations, and the paint had even been intentionally aged, making it look no different from a commoner's carriage at first glance.

But Chen Ye noticed that the carriage wall panels were more than twice as thick as a standard carriage, and they emitted a solid sound when tapped, with no hollow resonance.

"Manager, please look. Everything is according to the young master's wishes—it looks old on the outside and won't draw any attention on the streets of the Capital City."

Shen Chongsan walked around the carriage, introducing it eloquently, and then led the Liu Family manager into the carriage cabin.

Inside, the carriage was lined with soft cushions, hung with jade ornaments and pearls, and filled with the scent of incense, appearing extremely luxurious.

Judging by the space, it was large enough for two people to lie down.

Chen Ye stood outside the carriage, scanned it, and was surprised to find that there were no windows in the cabin, and the rear wall was completely sealed.

He withdrew his gaze and did not ask further.

"Inside the carriage, as per the young master's instructions, there are no windows; we have only covered the carriage door opening with a layer of Soft Smoke Gauze. As long as it is locked from the inside and outside, it ensures complete privacy without affecting the lighting," Shen Chongsan explained inside the cabin.

The Liu Family manager looked around, his eyes showing satisfaction.

He pushed on the mortise and tenon joints of the carriage and asked: "Is this carriage sturdy? Don't let it fall apart on the road."

"Manager, rest assured. It was built by our master craftsman himself, and the wood used is Zhenyue Heavy Wood. Martial artists below the Dragon Elephant realm, unless they have several thousand catties of strength, won't be able to break through it."

"Not bad, not bad." The Liu Family manager became more satisfied the more he looked, then suddenly thought of something and asked: "What if our young master is locked inside? We can't just hire a Dragon Elephant realm martial artist every time, can we?"

"Your concern is valid, sir." Shen Chongsan pointed to a hidden latch by the door: "Look, there is a mechanism here that works from both inside and out. Press and pull out this piece of wood, and the door will open naturally."

As he spoke, Shen Chongsan reached out and pressed a nondescript protrusion that was almost integrated into the carriage body.

A piece of wood that had been held in place popped up.

He pulled out the raised piece of wood, and the carriage door opened immediately, unable to be closed.

"Good, this carriage is excellent." The Liu Family manager looked pleased: "Let's bring the carriage to the gate first and take it for a test run today. If there are no problems, you can send someone to the manor to collect the silver."

"You got it!" Shen Chongsan was all smiles and was about to call a few workers to help lift the carriage out.

The Zhenyue Heavy Wood was very heavy, and the finished carriage required two or three people to move.

At this moment, Chen Ye, who had not spoken until now, raised a hand to stop them: "Let me try."

He walked to the carriage frame and gripped the front shafts with both hands.

Having undergone Mortal Shedding twice, his arms possessed a strength of five hundred catties.

He took a deep breath, channeling his power throughout his entire body. Veins bulged on his arms as he steadily hoisted the carriage frame and began walking toward the gate as if treading on flat ground.

The steward of the Liu Family let his gaze linger on Chen Ye for a few moments, looking him up and down before saying, "The Shuntong Transport Agency truly lives up to its reputation as the number one transport agency in the Capital City; even this carriage hand is no ordinary man."

It was also Shen Chongsan's first time witnessing Chen Ye's capabilities. He felt a sense of reflected glory but replied modestly, "The steward is too kind."

When the carriage reached the gate, the men from the Liu Family had already brought over two horses to harness to the shafts.

Shen Chongsan ushered the Liu Family steward onto the carriage, took hold of the reins, and said to Chen Ye, "Will you drive?"

Chen Ye replied with a calm expression, "I have only ever driven single-horse carriages. I have never tried two, and I fear I might make a mistake."

"There is not much difference between driving two horses and one. Watch how I handle them." Shen Chongsan had no suspicions and patiently instructed him.

"Giddy up!"

Shen Chongsan flicked the reins, and the heavy carriage slowly pulled out onto the main street.

The Shuntong Transport Agency was located in the south of the city. Per the instructions of the Liu Family steward, the carriage was to head north, straight out of the city, traversing the entire Capital City.

Passing by a grand residence, the plaque above the gate bore the three gilded characters for "State Protector Mansion." The main gate was wide open, exuding an imposing aura.

Chen Ye had never seen such a magnificent residence, and his gaze was immediately drawn to it.

"This is a second-rank noble house, the Xie Family," Shen Chongsan said, gesturing casually. "From this end all the way to the two streets ahead, it all belongs to them."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ye's eyes flickered, and he subconsciously clenched his fist.

In his mind, he surveyed the residence from the inside out.

Then, he slowly relaxed his fingers, withdrew his gaze, and continued to watch the road.