The Zhao Family

The next morning, the dawn mist had yet to lift.

Lu Zhen changed into his black silk Inner Sect uniform with gold trim. He didn't go to the martial arts hall; instead, as agreed, he called on Song Shi, and the two of them went to the Zhao Family's Four Seas Escort Agency to introduce themselves.

The escort agency stood in the western part of the city and occupied a vast area.

A black plaque bearing the gold characters "Four Seas Escort Agency" hung above the towering gatehouse.

Four escort runners stood at the foot of the steps, broad cleavers at their waists. Their postures were casual, but their eyes were sinister, and they had a ferocious air that warned strangers to keep their distance.

Seeing Zhao Peng approach with the two men, the four escort runners finally clasped their fists in a lazy greeting. "Young Master."

"Keep your eyes peeled. These two are junior brothers from the Inner Sect of Iron Arm Martial Arts Hall!" Zhao Peng waved casually, then led them through the gate.

There was little to see inside the escort agency; the whole place was steeped in a grim, no-nonsense atmosphere.

Dozens of unloaded escort wagons were piled in the courtyard, their wooden wheels still caked with mud from beyond the city.

When they reached the training ground in the rear courtyard, seven or eight men in short jackets were sparring in pairs.

Lu Zhen watched from the sidelines, his brow gradually furrowing.

These men fought viciously. Though they were supposedly sparring with colleagues, they aimed straight for vulnerable spots like the groin and eyes.

That wasn't all. When one man was knocked down, the onlookers didn't help him up. Instead, they burst into laughter, even hurling foul-mouthed curses.

They certainly had ferocity, but it was mixed with a vicious streak and a sense of internal rivalry, with none of the camaraderie one would expect between comrades.

When Zhao Peng approached, the men finally stopped and greeted him.

Zhao Peng pointed at them with a smile. "Junior brothers, these are all veteran instructors at our escort agency. Several of them entered the Mid Force Refining Realm years ago and have seen plenty of the world.

"You've only just joined the Inner Sect and need to hone your skills in real combat. Would you like to step in and exchange a few moves?"

"I only broke through yesterday, and I haven't gotten my breathing in order yet. I'll sit this one out," Lu Zhen said, clasping his fists in polite refusal.

Zhao Peng looked a little disappointed, but Song Shi, undaunted by his inexperience, nodded excitedly. "I-I'll give it a try! Please teach me, seniors!"

Song Shi took off his outer jacket and entered the ring. A lean, gloomy-looking escort guard stepped forward and casually clasped his fists. "I'm Zhao Si. Forgive me if I offend you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Song Shi let out a shout and unleashed the Triple Resonance Iron Wire Fist he had comprehended the day before, driving a heavy punch straight toward Zhao Si's chest.

The attack was fierce, but lacked flexibility.

Zhao Si sneered, turning slightly to evade the brunt of the attack. His foot slid across the ground as he circled around Song Shi like a loach, then drove his knee viciously into the weak spot at Song Shi's lower back.

"Thud!"

Half of Song Shi's body went numb. All his strength drained away, and the clever blow sent him flying, face-first into the dirt.

He lost in a single move.

The surrounding escort guards immediately burst into unrestrained laughter.

Zhao Si shook out his sleeve, his face full of disdain. "That's what you get for learning a few tricks in a martial arts hall. You can make all the noise you want, but if you've never seen blood, it's all useless."

Song Shi scrambled to his feet, his face flushed as he brushed off the dirt. To everyone's surprise, he wasn't angry in the least. Instead, he ran up to Zhao Si with admiration in his eyes. "A-Amazing! Your footwork is truly elusive, senior! The Four Seas Escort Agency really is... is full of hidden talents!"

Seeing this, Zhao Peng smoothly seized the opportunity and smiled. "Junior Brother Song, that's the real skill of someone who's lived by the blade. Come run a few out-of-town routes with our agency, and I guarantee your skills will be honed as sharp as a knife.

"Sixty silver dollars a month, plus a twenty-percent share of the escort runners' bonus. How does that sound?"

Song Shi had never seen such a generous wage. He immediately nodded again and again, excited. "I'll do it! Thank you for taking me under your wing, Senior Brother Zhao!"

After settling Song Shi in, Zhao Peng turned to Lu Zhen with keen interest. "Junior Brother Lu, you're an expert in the Mid Force Refining Realm. Since Junior Brother Song is staying, what do you say?

"If you're willing to join us, I'll guarantee you seventy-five silver dollars a month! It's definitely better than staying at the martial arts hall!"

Hearing the offer, Lu Zhen saw through it as clearly as a mirror.

Seventy-five silver dollars was certainly a lot, but it couldn't compare with the hundred silver dollars Gu Yanzhi had casually promised, let alone the precious Red Scale Fish and top-tier medicinal meals.

The pay was only a secondary concern.

Lu Zhen's gaze swept over the escort guards, their expressions cold and disdainful as they mocked one another. The world was treacherous, and work that had you living by the blade called for brothers to stand as one. But the Four Seas Escort Agency was steeped in such viciousness that if they ran into hardened bandits, it would be a wonder if they didn't stab each other in the back.

Then there was Zhao Peng, so smooth and affable on the surface, yet calculating to the bone. When trouble came, he would only look out for himself.

By contrast, Gu Yanzhi might have a young master's temper, but he would slam a table in anger on a friend's behalf. He was far more openhearted and loyal.

Lu Zhen had already made up his mind, but he kept it off his face.

"Senior Brother Zhao, I appreciate your kind offer." Lu Zhen clasped his fists without a trace of deference or arrogance. "But I've only just entered the Mid Force Refining Realm, and I know my foundation is still shallow. I'd like to think it over a little longer before taking a position."

A hint of displeasure flashed through Zhao Peng's eyes, but he quickly pasted on a smile again. "Junior Brother Lu, it's good to be cautious! The doors of my Four Seas Escort Agency are always open to you!"

Lu Zhen nodded, then gave Song Shi a few more reminders before finding an excuse to take his leave.

The moment he stepped out of the Four Seas Escort Agency, Lu Zhen quickened his pace.

Once the matter was settled, Lu Zhen didn't linger at the Gu Family's residence.

He took the black silk Inner Sect uniform the servant handed him and draped it over his shoulders. After clasping his fists in farewell, he strode away from the Tongjiang Chamber of Commerce and headed straight back to Iron Arm Martial Arts Hall.

He soon reached an agreement with Gu Yanzhi.

A hundred silver dollars, plus Red Scale Fish and medicinal meals.

Such generous terms were probably impossible to find anywhere in Ocean City, even with a lantern.

More importantly, Lu Zhen had plans of his own.

With the Daily Settlement panel, he could earn experience steadily by pulling rickshaws, but that was still lowly, backbreaking labor.

If he switched to a line of work like escorting convoys—a real martial profession that had him living by the blade and fighting with real weapons—would the experience and money he received through daily settlement be even better and more generous than what he earned pulling rickshaws?

Lu Zhen looked forward to finding out.