Forceful

Mountain Cloud School.

It was now Tongda Escort Agency's greatest backer.

The Li Family's ancestor had once been an outer sect elder of Mountain Cloud School. Later, in his old age, he retired from the mountain and founded Tongda Escort Agency in Miqiao District.

As for the Li Family line, there was no need to say more. Even the three heads of the agency had studied under Mountain Cloud School in their youth.

The same was true by the generation of Young Chief Li Mincheng.

This leading figure among the escort agency's younger generation was an Inner Disciple of the school, and he had an instructor of protector rank behind him.

The ties between the two sides were clearly exceedingly deep.

Although several decades ago, aside from Mountain Cloud School, Tongda Escort Agency had also been supported by several Aristocratic Clans, and its prosperity had far surpassed what it was now.

But at the end of the day, those Aristocratic Clans that supported the escort agency had all, more or less, done so because of Mountain Cloud School's influence.

Thus, when those Aristocratic Clans relocated to other provinces, Tongda Escort Agency did not move with them. Instead, it chose to remain and continue following Mountain Cloud School.

Likewise, Mountain Cloud School had always sheltered Tongda Escort Agency.

Half a year ago, Nokangda Transport Company of Aofei Duchy had attempted, with an exceedingly forceful attitude, to acquire part—or even all—of Tongda Escort Agency's business.

The two sides initially negotiated, but when that failed, conflict erupted. Quite a few people from Tongda Escort Agency died in the clashes, and afterward, the agency retaliated.

As they traded blow for blow, the situation continued to escalate, ultimately drawing many powerful figures from Aofei Duchy.

Had Mountain Cloud School not stepped in to mediate at the critical moment, Tongda Escort Agency might already have vanished from Peace City.

Thus, aside from a small number of newcomers, most people present knew of the relationship between Mountain Cloud School and Tongda Escort Agency.

As the chief escort's words fell, everyone's expressions changed. Some looked puzzled, some showed shock, while panic glimmered in the eyes of others.

"With the relationship between our escort agency and Mountain Cloud School, this matter won't spread to us, will it?"

This possibility abruptly surfaced in the minds of several veteran escorts.

"To put it plainly, the reason Tongda Escort Agency has been able to gain a foothold in Peace City for so many years and become an old established name is inseparable from Mountain Cloud School's support and protection behind us."

Before they could think further, however, the chief escort standing above continued, "Therefore, the Dou'a Sect, which intends to strike at Mountain Cloud School, naturally sees our escort agency and affiliated forces such as Gale Wind Sect and Iron Palm Gang as thorns in its eyes and flesh in its wounds."

"Just the day before yesterday, Dou'a Sect sent two elders to the agency, demanding that the First Chief submit to them and make the agency their hawks and hounds, their claws and fangs. Otherwise, they said the agency would perish alongside Mountain Cloud School."

At this point, his tone paused, and he swept his gaze over the crowd below, whose expressions varied.

Young Chief Li Mincheng then took over, his voice ringing loud and clear. "That Elder Bai of Dou'a Sect was arrogant and overbearing. Before even arriving at the agency, he injured my Third Uncle first, giving us a display of power. Then he issued my father a seven-day ultimatum."

Having said that, Li Mincheng glanced at the chief escort beside him. Only after seeing him nod slightly did he turn his gaze back to the crowd below.

"No matter which side wins or loses, our Tongda Escort Agency may suffer severe casualties."

"Whether you are escorts or runners, many of you have worked alongside me for years. In my eyes, you are not only close friends, but also brothers and sisters, so..."

As Li Mincheng spoke to this point, his face became utterly earnest.

"Young Chief, say no more! Last time, those foreigners surrounded us so tightly not even water could pass through, and so many died, but none of us brothers were afraid!"

"We escorts who make our living in the martial world have always had our heads tied to our belts. What is so frightening about some foreign Dou'a Sect?"

"If we run at the mere whisper that an enemy is coming, then what the hell are we training martial arts for? We might as well go back home to embroider and farm!"

"We brothers even dared to fight those foreigners, let alone some sect we've never even heard of!"

Several veteran escorts nearest him immediately shouted out, all wearing heroic expressions of guts laid bare and hair standing on end.

As they spoke up, many people in the council hall also echoed them, all willing to face Dou'a Sect together with the escort agency.

"No, brothers and sisters! Listen to me first! Let me finish!"

Li Mincheng hurriedly raised his voice, suppressing the clamor below. "When the foreigners surrounded and tried to kill us last time, it happened too suddenly. The agency was unprepared, which was why we lost so many brothers."

"But now, we still have some time to prepare. I do not wish to see you suffer needless deaths and injuries, so I am giving everyone a choice."

"Those willing to stay will receive more blood food and secret medicines from the agency than before. Those unwilling may hand their identity tokens to these stewards now and leave the agency."

"We are an escort agency, not one of those sects or gangs. Therefore, when a grave crisis arises, we will not force any of you to remain..."

Bang—

Before Li Mincheng could finish those deeply earnest words, a heavy crash from the doorway interrupted him.

"Junior Brother Li, Junior Brother Li! Martial Uncle Li is at least a hero of his generation. How did he teach such a timid, retreating-at-the-battleline thing like you?"

A young gentleman dressed in brocade kicked the council hall doors over with one foot, then strode in at leisure.

Behind him were several pairs of young men and women, along with two middle-aged men in long robes.

Seeing this group barge into the escort agency so rudely, and hearing the way they addressed the Young Chief, many people present were momentarily stunned.

Li Mincheng's expression changed. He walked directly out from the center of the hall, his face filled with fury. "Senior Brother Ye, don't spout blood from your mouth! When have I ever fled from battle?"

For an Inner Disciple of Mountain Cloud School.

This was an extremely grave accusation.

Those who surrendered before facing the enemy or fled from battle would be executed on the spot by the Phosphorfire Lineage, which oversaw discipline within the school, according to school law, or exiled to the Cavern Ruins.

Even if they were fortunate enough to escape, they would still be hunted down every step of the way.

"Dou'a Sect hasn't even attacked yet, and your Tongda Escort Agency is already thinking of scattering your men and running away? If that isn't sowing panic and fleeing from battle, then what is it?!"

Senior Brother Ye merely sneered coldly and swept his gaze over everyone in the hall. "For all these years, Tongda Escort Agency has lived under Mountain Cloud School's protection. Without Mountain Cloud School, those foreigners from Aofei Duchy would have slaughtered every one of you hundred-odd people last time."

"That was a life-saving favor!"

"Now that our school has merely encountered a slight crisis, you subordinate forces are not thinking about how to share the sect's burdens and resolve its difficulties. Instead, you are already thinking about running away?"

"When there is food, you come to eat, stuffing yourselves until your bellies are round and full. Now that there is no food, you want to slip away without a trace? Where in this world could there be such a fine bargain?"

"These are extraordinary times."

"Li Mincheng, Yuchi Guang, by order of the Deputy Sect Master, I hereby announce: Tongda Escort Agency is being taken over by the sect. No escort or runner may flee from battle. Any violators will be dealt with according to sect law!"