Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Going Home Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Going Home Editor: Atlas Studios Su Mo instantly regretted his words after he spoke them.
How could he have had a momentary lapse of judgement and agreed to visit?
He wanted to say something to back out, but seeing the joy on Yang Xiaoyun’s face made it difficult to retract his words.
With a bitter smile, he conceded that it would have to do.
When he was less busy later, he’d find time to visit and get it over with.
The ensuing conversation with Yang Xiaoyun was one of searching for topics.
They hadn’t had many opportunities to interact over the past few years. Since Su Mo’s arrival in this world, besides memories of her, they really had no connection.
Instead of childhood sweethearts who grew up together, they were more like familiar strangers.
But it was evident that Yang Xiaoyun was deeply concerned for Su Mo.
She spoke to him about her experiences traveling Jianghu and escorting cargo.
Unfortunately, her storytelling was mediocre at best; her narration plain and straightforward, and the matters of the Iron Blood Escort Agency were different from Su Mo’s declining Ziyang Escort Agency.
Out and about, who in the Green Forest wouldn’t show her some respect?
Of course, this respect was for the Iron Blood Escort Agency, or rather, it was for Yang Yi.
Nevertheless, with the foundation laid by Yang Yi and with Yang Xiaoyun’s outstanding abilities, their journey had been quite smooth.
Throughout their casual talk, Su Mo’s perception of Yang Xiaoyun began to change.
His memories of Yang Xiaoyun leaned more toward her association with violence; fear was often the dominant impression.
But now it seemed that Yang Xiaoyun’s concern for Su Mo was heartfelt and sincere.
And she held high expectations for him.
As for love between a man and a woman, that had yet to be seen.
It was more a habit formed from growing up together.
That was actually quite good.
It saved a lot of trouble.
While they were enjoying their tea and conversation, the sun began to set. A middle-aged man from the Iron Blood Escort Agency came over: “Young Leader, we can’t delay any longer. We must return.”
“Okay, Su Mo, you should come with us.”
That was fine by him.
Su Mo was used to traveling on foot. Following the people from the Iron Blood Escort Agency back meant he would at least have a horse to ride.
The escort masters of the Iron Blood Escort Agency didn’t object, and two of them shared a horse so that Su Mo could have one.
Thus, he went back to Luoxia City with the people from the Iron Blood Escort Agency. After entering the city gates, they went their separate ways.
“Remember to come and find me.”
Yang Xiaoyun waved and reminded Su Mo before she left.
Su Mo could only agree again, then he headed towards the Ziyang Escort Agency.
…
…
The location of the Ziyang Escort Agency was not secluded; its entrance was on one of the main roads of Luoxia City.
At its busiest, the entrance would be bustling with carriages coming and going, a sight of extraordinary vivacity.
But it was not yet dark, and the night market hadn’t started, so the place was empty and quiet for the time being.
Standing at the entrance of the escort agency, Su Mo looked up to see the signboard hanging high, inscribed with four bold characters: Ziyang Escort Agency!
The writing was ancient, forceful, and powerful.
It was said that this sign was personally sought from the Ziyang Sect by an ancestral member of their family, Su Chengyu.
As long as this sign remained hanging, it was believed that the Ziyang Escort Agency would always be under the protection of the Ziyang Sect.
Protecting one’s own may have its complexities.
It was unwarranted to trouble the sect with trivial matters.
However, should one indeed encounter insurmountable grievances or threats to the very survival of the entire family, the Ziyang Sect would certainly not stand idly by.
But such a promise was of use to Su Chengyu back then.
For Su Mo, communication with the Ziyang Sect was even rarer; although there was no overt animosity, most likely the sect disdained him as a no-account descendant of the Su family.
Thus the plaque merely retained a nominal significance.
Arriving at the front gate, he lifted the knocker and tapped.
After a brief wait, a small door opened within the gate, revealing a pair of somewhat cloudy eyes.
The gatekeeper seemed about to inquire, but recognizing Su Mo, his eyes immediately gleamed with surprise and delight.
“The young master has returned!”
The gate creaked open, revealing an old servant.
Uncle Fu!
Uncle Fu was quite old, at least in his sixties this year.
Ever since Su Mo could remember, Uncle Fu had been serving at the escort agency.
Rumor had it that in his younger days, he was a wretched soul saved by Su Mo’s grandfather.
And from then on, served diligently within the agency.
Serving three generations of the Su family.
Even as Su Mo fell short, with the disciples dispersed, Uncle Fu remained steadfastly loyal by his side.
Upon Su Mo’s return, Uncle Fu’s eyes sparkled with concealed joy, yet he carefully maintained his place, scrutinizing Su Mo for any injuries. Only after assuring himself that Su Mo was unharmed, without a missing arm or leg, did he breathe a sigh of relief.
He promptly said, “Young master, please come in. Was the trip taxing? You’re a few days late compared to the expected time. Just this morning I was pondering if you didn’t return today, I’d go meet you at Shi Li Pavilion first thing tomorrow.”
Su Mo chuckled bitterly, “Don’t bother, you’re getting on in years; remember not to overexert yourself.”
“How could I… In my youth, following the old master, I’ve slept in snow-covered fields; I’m still quite robust.”
Uncle Fu grinned, revealing just three teeth left, his face creased with folds, radiating a pride that belied his words.
“Indeed, indeed. But rest assured, this bodyguard duty was short, and the journey was safe without incident. It was but the slow pace of the scholar that delayed us somewhat.”
“There’s no use for a scholar,” Uncle Fu realized with a gesture of comprehension, “It’s good that you’ve returned safely. I’ll go to the kitchen this instant to prepare some hot water for you. First, take a bath to cleanse yourself of the dust of the road. Once you’re clean, we can eat.”
“Mm.”
Su Mo nodded slightly but then interjected, “Uncle Fu, this is for you.”
As he spoke, he pulled out the silver note, as well as the five taels of silver given by Li Yishu.
“Ah, why so much?”
Uncle Fu was somewhat taken aback.
“Don’t worry about it. Just put it on the account.”
“Alright, alright.”
True to form, Uncle Fu asked no further and pocketed the silver note and silver.
Within this small, dilapidated escort agency, all matters of expenditure were now under Uncle Fu’s management.
Even though Su Mo considered, with just the two of them left to depend on each other, was there any need to be so fastidious?
But Uncle Fu insisted that without rules, nothing could be achieved. The agency would not always be in such a state, and principles must be established from the start.
Now, absent a proper accounting room, he would take on the role temporarily until the agency blossomed, when there would naturally be accountants for the accounts, coachmen for the horses, gatekeepers for the gates, each fulfilling their own duties.
Su Mo was not one to dismiss good advice and, reflecting on it, found the rationale sound and readily went along.
Guiding Su Mo through the gate and down the corridor to his bedroom, Uncle Fu swiftly turned and darted away, returning momentarily not with hot water but carrying a copper basin. The old man wore a full-faced smile:
“Young master, wash your face first upon returning home.”