Harvest (Part 1)

Passersby along the route cast sidelong glances. Merchants who recognized the Su Family Escort Agency's banners craned their necks, whispering to one another—the state of this procession made it clear they had just survived a bloody battle.

Crowds began to gather on both sides of the street to watch the spectacle.

The hushed discussions drifted on the wind into the caravan:

"It's the people from the Su Family Escort Agency... looking like that, did they run into some hard cases?"

"The Black Wind Ridge route, I bet? I heard it hasn't been peaceful lately..."

"Look at the blood on those carts! Did anyone die?"

"The Young Master seems to be injured..."

Su Derong listened, the ribs of his fan clicking louder as he shook it. He even nodded to a few familiar faces in the crowd, the lazy smile on his face never wavering.

Chen Jianghe, however, frowned slightly.

In these chaotic times, showing off wealth invites disaster, but showing weakness invites calamity.

Displaying this cart of bloodstains and their own battered bodies as they paraded through the city was, in the eyes of those with ulterior motives, a signal that the Su Family Escort Agency was weak and ripe for the picking.

He leaned over and whispered, "Senior Brother, is it not too conspicuous to parade through the streets like this?"

Su Derong slanted a look at him, tapping his palm with the fan ribs, his voice lowered so only the two of them could hear: "Jianghe, remember this—in the escort business, seven parts depend on skill, and three parts depend on reputation. We may be in a sorry state today, but we came back alive, and the cargo was secured. Once this news spreads, those who want to target the Su family will have to think twice."

Chen Jianghe fell silent, understanding in his heart.

This was a display of weakness, but also a display of strength. In troubled times, being overly low-key is sometimes mistaken for being easy prey.

As he was thinking, Su Derong suddenly tapped his arm lightly with the fan ribs: "Jianghe, look up."

Chen Jianghe looked up as instructed.

Su Derong looked him up and down, clicking his tongue twice: "Come to think of it, you've been at the Xingyi Martial Arts Hall for almost a year now, right? What were you like when you first arrived? Thin as a reed; I was afraid a strong gust of wind would blow you away. Look at you now—"

He used his uninjured hand to point his index finger vaguely at Chen Jianghe's arms and shoulders. "This physique, this spirit, tsk tsk."

Chen Jianghe looked down at himself.

His indigo martial arts uniform was covered in dust and dried blood, the cuffs frayed in several places, revealing the solid arm muscles beneath.

Indeed, compared to the hunched, foul-smelling laborer boy from the butchery at the Shen Mansion a year ago, it was a world of difference.

He cupped his fists and said, "It is all thanks to Senior Brother's care."

Su Derong waved his hand, about to say something, when his eyes suddenly rolled, and a mischievous smile appeared on his face.

"By the way, Jianghe, if I remember correctly, you're turning eighteen soon, right?"

Chen Jianghe nodded: "In another month, I'll be eighteen."

"Eighteen..." Su Derong drew out the tone, rubbing his chin as if he had just remembered something important. "At this age, in an ordinary family, it's time to talk about marriage and finding a wife. Build a family, then build a career—you must build the family first!"

Chen Jianghe's brow furrowed imperceptibly, a vague premonition rising in his heart.

Sure enough, Su Derong leaned in with a grin, lowering his voice, yet speaking clearly enough for Zhou Yong, Wang Gui, Zhao Tieshan, and the others nearby to hear: "I happen to have a cousin from a distant branch of the family, and she is quite the beauty! The key is her figure..."

"She's lean where she needs to be, and she's got meat in all the right places! Those hips—round and firm, you can tell at a glance she's built for childbearing. That waist—slender but strong, she's definitely the type to bear sons! How about it, Jianghe? Do you want Senior Brother to play matchmaker for you?"

Chen Jianghe: "..."

He opened his mouth, momentarily at a loss for how to react.

His mind was filled only with Su Derong's teasing face and the buzzing echoes of the words "hips," "waist," and "bear sons."

"Pfft—!" Zhou Yong, who was drinking water nearby, sprayed it out, coughing violently. Between coughs, he laughed, "Young, Young Master! You aren't talking about Qing, are you?"

"Exactly!" Su Derong slapped his thigh.

Zhou Yong winked at Chen Jianghe: "Brother Chen, that girl Qing is truly something! That look, that figure—tsk tsk, you won't find another like her in these streets of the outer city!"

Wang Gui chimed in honestly from behind: "That's right, Brother Chen! Once you have a family, a wife to keep the bed warm, and someone to help look after your mother, it'll be great!"

Even the usually steady and reticent Zhao Tieshan couldn't help but curl his lips, adding: "Escort Guard Chen, the Young Master isn't just pulling your leg. Though Miss Qing is a bit proud, her character and looks are beyond reproach. If you truly have the intent, let the Young Master put in a word; it might just be a good match."

The surrounding Pathfinders and escort staff, all busy with their work, pricked up their ears, their faces full of amusement.

Having returned from an escort mission and walked the edge of life and death, hearing such earthy, domestic banter helped loosen their long-tensed nerves.

Chen Jianghe was flustered by this sudden "matchmaking." He took a deep breath to steady himself before cupping his fists and saying seriously: "I appreciate the kindness of Senior Brother and all the brothers. However, Jianghe is currently focused on martial arts. My mother is not yet settled, and my duties at the escort agency have only just begun. I truly cannot spare the heart to consider marriage."

Su Derong stared at him for a few moments, then suddenly burst into laughter, patting his shoulder heavily with the fan: "Fine! You have ambition! But I'll say this first: my cousin has very high standards, and there are plenty of people lining up to propose! Don't regret it later if you don't consider it now."

He added with a grin: "I had a kid by the time I was your age. You have no idea how wonderful it is to have a beautiful wife at home."

Chen Jianghe could only shake his head helplessly: "Senior Brother, please, stop teasing me."

"Done!" Su Derong stopped pressing, tapping his palm with the fan ribs. "Then I'll wait for you to make a name for yourself in Yilin County! When that day comes, I fear the threshold will be worn down by suitors, and I'll have to help you vet them properly!"

Everyone laughed.

Amidst the laughter and chatter, the caravan drove into the western district, and the plaque of the Su Family Escort Agency came into view.

A crowd had already gathered at the entrance of the agency.

The old manager, Uncle Yang, waited at the bottom of the steps with two assistants. As soon as he saw the caravan, he hurried forward to meet them.

The remaining Escort Guards and Pathfinders also gathered around, helping to unload the carts, lead the horses, and carry the wounded.

Half an hour later, everyone had washed up, changed into clean clothes, and gathered in the main hall.

Su Jingming was already waiting in the hall, dressed in an indigo silk robe with a jade belt cinched at his waist, sitting upright in the seat of honor.

On the long table before him sat several trays covered in red cloth.

Seeing everyone enter, Su Jingming rose to greet them. His gaze first fell upon Su Derong; seeing that although his complexion was pale, his spirit was still sound, the worry in his eyes eased slightly before he turned to Chen Jianghe and the others, examining them one by one.

"Please, sit." Su Jingming gestured with his hand.

The group took their seats in order. Su Derong sat at the lower left of Su Jingming, with Chen Jianghe, Zhou Yong, Wang Gui, and Zhao Tieshan arranged in sequence.

Su Jingming first asked about their injuries, and everyone answered in turn.

Su Jingming's gaze swept across those present, finally landing on Chen Jianghe as he said slowly, "The staff have already given a rough report on the events of this escort mission. However, there are some details I still need to hear from you personally."

Zhao Tieshan stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Reporting to the Second Master, the first few days after leaving the city were quite smooth. Before entering Black Wind Ridge, we stopped at Old Yang Inn for a rest as per the rules. That night..."

He recounted the ambush in detail, his pace steady, yet every detail was laid out clearly.

Su Jingming listened quietly, his expression unreadable, though his fingers unconsciously traced the rim of his teacup.

Once Zhao Tieshan finished, he looked at Zhou Yong. "Zhou Yong, what about you?"

Zhou Yong stood up, his face showing a hint of sheepishness. "Second Master, I... I have nothing much to add. If it weren't for Brother Chen's composure that night, I fear my life would have been forfeit there. I had previously misunderstood him as being cowardly, but thinking back on it now, it truly..."

He paused, then added solemnly, "I am thoroughly convinced by Brother Chen's martial arts, courage, and character."

Wang Gui stood up next, his honest face full of sincerity. "Second Master, I feel the same way. Although Brother Chen is young, he is seasoned in his dealings and decisive in his actions. In the situation last night, if it had been me, I fear I would have panicked long ago."

Su Jingming nodded, his gaze finally resting on Su Derong. "Derong, you speak."

Su Derong did not rise, merely leaning back against his chair. Though his face was pale, his tone was grave. "Uncle, Old Zhao and the others have said what needed to be said. I will only add one point—"

He turned his head to look at Chen Jianghe beside him and said slowly, "If it weren't for Jianghe that night, I would have been dead or crippled. What he saved was not just me, but this escort mission, and more importantly, the reputation of the Su Family Escort Agency abroad."