"I can pay a deposit first, but I need to confirm whether you're up to the task. Go scout around the outskirts of Nabuze Village and report any useful information you uncover.
"As for where Nabuze Village is, I can tell you it's to the east. You'll have to find its exact location yourself. This is a test."
Qu Zan did not know its exact location either. Since he was paying, he could naturally have this man find it. That would save him quite a bit of time.
The man nodded without hesitation. "Of course, boss." The address rolled smoothly off his tongue.
Actually, Qu Zan preferred the man's initial defiance. He had looked more professional that way. But he could hardly ask him to switch back.
"What should I call you?" Qu Zan asked.
"Boss, you can call me Xia Ba," the fierce-looking man said.
Qu Zan put down fifty taels in gold bars.
What if the man took the gold and did no work?
Qu Zan was not worried. After all, Great Black Yama's table was still waiting for a dish to be served.
If Xia Ba coveted his gold, Qu Zan coveted his body.
... "Do you know of any utterly vicious bandits nearby?" Qu Zan asked.
"Bandits?" A trace of puzzlement flashed through Xia Ba's eyes.
"I'll be staying in the area. I'm timid and afraid of running into bandits. Especially the exceptionally cruel sort who slaughter innocents indiscriminately."
"I can protect you. Don't worry, that's all included in your five-hundred-tael hiring fee," Xia Ba said.
Qu Zan intended to feed people to Great Black Yama. He could not let outsiders see that scene.
"You don't need to protect me. Just tell me where they operate, and I can avoid them," Qu Zan said.
"Mounted bandits