Harvest (Part 2)

The hall fell into a sudden silence.

Su Jingming remained silent for a moment before slowly setting down his teacup and turning his gaze toward Chen Jianghe.

"Chen Jianghe."

"This junior is here."

Chen Jianghe stood up and cupped his fists.

Su Jingming studied him, his eyes filled with complex emotions—approval, gratification, and a hint of deep-seated reflection.

"You joined the escort agency as a guest, and this was your very first mission," Su Jingming said slowly. "A mission like this shouldn't have involved a newcomer like you. But Derong recommended you highly, and I was curious to test your mettle. Now it seems..."

He paused, his voice deepening. "You did very well. You remained calm in the face of danger, showed restraint and decisiveness, and dared to risk your life at the critical moment without losing your composure. Master Li truly knows how to teach his disciples."

Chen Jianghe bowed. "You flatter me, senior. That we were able to repel the enemy that night was entirely due to my senior brother and the other colleagues fighting to the death at the front. This junior merely happened to be there."

"Happened to be there?" Su Jingming smiled. "Many so-called 'experts' in the martial world lose their nerve when faced with life and death. That you could judge the situation calmly and strike at the right moment is rare indeed."

He said no more, took an account book from his robes, picked up a brush, and dipped it in ink.

"The payment for this mission will be settled according to the agency's rules," Su Jingming said while writing in the book. "The original fee for this escort will be paid in full. Furthermore, because you all performed meritorious service in protecting the cargo and defeating strong enemies, thereby preserving both the goods and your colleagues' lives, the agency is granting an additional reward."

He looked at Zhou Yong, Wang Gui, and Zhao Tieshan. "Zhou Yong, Wang Gui, and Zhao Tieshan will each receive fifteen taels of silver, a merit record, and a monthly stipend increase of two taels for the year."

Upon hearing this, the three men beamed and stood up to bow. "Many thanks, Second Master!"

Su Jingming nodded and finally looked at Chen Jianghe. "Chen Jianghe, you have rendered the greatest service and displayed the righteousness of saving others in distress. After consulting with Derong, we have decided to grant you the following rewards—"

He held up two fingers.

"First, your payment for this mission will be settled at the highest rate for an Escort Guard, totaling thirty taels of silver."

Chen Jianghe's heart skipped a beat. This was far more than what an ordinary Bright Strength escort would earn for a single trip.

Su Jingming continued, "Second, because of your performance in actual combat, you are awarded an additional twenty taels of silver."

Su Jingming paused to add, "Furthermore, your rations of meat and medicinal powders will continue as usual. Starting next month, your monthly stipend will be increased to fifteen taels."

Chen Jianghe calculated silently.

For him, this was a truly massive sum. With this money, his mother would no longer have to live in the woodshed; he could buy a decent little house near the martial arts hall.

"This junior thanks you." Chen Jianghe bowed deeply.

Su Jingming waved his hand, signaling him to rise, and then looked at Su Derong. "Derong, how are your injuries?"

"I won't die," Su Derong said, pulling at the corner of his mouth. "I just need to rest for a while."

"Then rest well," Su Jingming said sternly. "There are no long-distance missions for the agency for the time being. Stay home, practice your martial arts, and stop wandering around."

Su Derong chuckled sheepishly. "Understood, understood."

Su Jingming said, "Alright, you may all go."

"Brother Chen, let's grab a drink when you're free!" Zhou Yong said with a grin. "My treat."

Wang Gui nodded honestly. "I'll go too."

Zhao Tieshan patted Chen Jianghe on the shoulder.

Chen Jianghe returned their gestures one by one, a warmth rising in his heart.

These men who lived by the blade might be rough and blunt, but they were clear about gratitude and grudges, valuing loyalty and righteousness above all else.

After bidding farewell to the others, Chen Jianghe was about to leave the agency with his heavy purse of silver when he was pulled aside by Su Derong.

In the back courtyard tea room, the air was thick with the bitter scent of medicine.

Su Jingming personally changed Su Derong's dressings and bandaged him up properly before sitting down in the grand armchair.

Su Jingming turned to Chen Jianghe, pondered for a moment, and said slowly, "Derong has already discussed this with me. It wasn't convenient to give this to you earlier with so many people around. You have already attained Bright Strength; the next step is to accumulate blood and energy to break through to Dark Strength. Relying solely on meat and ordinary medicinal powders, your progress will be too slow."

Chen Jianghe's heart stirred as he looked up.

Su Jingming said in a low voice, "I have prepared three portions of medicinal herbs; I will have them sent to you later. This soup is for external use. Combined with your stance training, it will strengthen your bones and muscles, clear your meridians, and help you solidify your Bright Strength foundation faster, preparing you for the breakthrough to Dark Strength."

"These three portions of herbs are worth no less than a hundred taels." Su Jingming looked at him with deep, piercing eyes. "I am giving this to you partly to reward your service, and partly... in the hope that you will improve quickly."

He paused, his voice dropping lower. "Outside the city, the Green Dragon Gang is eyeing us like a tiger; inside, the Sun Moon Cult is stirring. Within the inner city, there are the Five Great Families. The Su Family needs more experts to hold the line. You and Derong are like brothers, and Master Li has a life-saving grace toward our Su Family. That is why I decided to bestow these herbs upon you."

Chen Jianghe said solemnly, "This junior will not fail your expectations, senior."

"Good." Su Jingming nodded, a genuine smile finally appearing on his face. "Go. Rest well for a few days and spend time with your mother. Do not speak of these herbs to anyone, lest you attract unwanted attention."

"This junior understands."

Su Derong draped his arm over Chen Jianghe's shoulder, and they limped toward the exit.

"Fifty taels of silver, a monthly stipend raised to fifteen, plus three portions of Bone Tempering Soup..." Su Derong smacked his lips and shook his head with a laugh. "My uncle really went all out this time. I've worked at the agency for so many years and never received such a reward all at once."

Chen Jianghe supported Su Derong and whispered, "If not for your guidance, senior brother, I wouldn't even have been able to step through the doors of the agency."

"None of that," Su Derong waved his hand, though his tone turned serious. "Jianghe, you earned this money fair and square."

He paused, suddenly remembering something, and lowered his voice. "Right, about that Bone Tempering Soup—once my injuries heal a bit, I'll come find you. There are some precautions I need to tell you in person. You should find a house near the martial arts hall first; this money is definitely enough. Don't brew the medicine at the hall; it's too crowded and eyes are everywhere."

Chen Jianghe solemnly agreed, "Alright, I've noted it, Senior Brother."

"Go on then."

The setting sun stretched his shadow long, and the sporadically lit oil lamps along the street illuminated his calm profile.

He thought of Loach Bay.

Those two dilapidated boats tied together with hemp rope, swaying with the river water night after night.

The cabin was forever filled with the scent of damp wood mixed with the stench of fish; hot in summer and freezing in winter, and whenever the rain grew heavy, there was always the worry of leaks.

The hunched back of his mother, Lin, as she mended fishing nets, cast a thin, frail shadow under the bean-sized flame of an oil lamp.

Chen Jianghe tugged at the corner of his mouth.

Home.

It was time to have a real home.

Chen Jianghe immediately sought out an old agent near the alleyway by the martial arts hall.

The agent was named Sun, a man in his fifties, lean and shrewd, who had been working in this area for over a decade and knew the ins and outs of every household and property listing like the back of his hand.

Seeing Chen Jianghe dressed in the short attire of a martial arts student, yet possessing a steady aura and clear, bright eyes, he dared not be negligent.

"Young man, are you looking to rent or buy? A private courtyard or a single room? Any requirements for the location?"

"Buy. It needs to be near Xingyi Martial Arts Hall, a standalone house. The courtyard doesn't need to be large, but it must be quiet and sturdy. Brick and tile is best; it doesn't matter if it's a bit old."

Agent Sun's mind raced, and after a moment, he slapped his thigh. "I have one! There's a place that fits perfectly. Would you like to go see it now, sir?"

"Lead the way."

Located in an alley on the west side of the martial arts hall, the courtyard was not large but was well-proportioned, paved with blue bricks. There were three main rooms, one wing room on each side, and a fully equipped kitchen and woodshed.

In the corner of the courtyard stood an old locust tree, its branches lush and dense, casting a large patch of shade. The house had clearly been renovated; the doors and windows were in good repair, and the walls were freshly whitewashed.

"This courtyard originally belonged to an old scholar. He passed the provincial examination the year before last and moved his whole family away, so the house has been sitting empty," the agent introduced. "The asking price is fifty-five taels, but the owner is anxious to sell. You should be able to negotiate it down to fifty."

Chen Jianghe inspected the inside and outside, feeling satisfied.

The house was sturdy, the courtyard was quiet, and it was only a few steps away from the martial arts hall. It would be convenient for his mother to live here and help out at the hall during the day.

"Forty taels," Chen Jianghe said.

The agent was stunned and gave a bitter smile. "Sir, that price... I'm afraid the owner won't agree."

"This house has been empty for over a year, and you know how the world is these days. If it sits empty any longer, it will only depreciate further," Chen Jianghe said calmly. "Forty taels, in cash. We can close the deal today."

The agent hesitated for a moment, then stomped his foot. "Done! I'll go talk to the owner!"

Half an hour later, the agent returned, sweating profusely, holding the property deed and the keys. "Sir, it's a deal! Forty taels. The owner said he's happy to make a friend!"

Chen Jianghe carefully verified the deed, confirming everything was in order, before counting out forty taels of silver from his robes.

The agent beamed with joy, thanking him repeatedly.