Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Visit Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Visit Editor: Atlas Studios Presenting my visiting card, I stood quietly in front of the great gate, waiting.
Lifting my eyes, I saw the Iron Blood Flag fluttering, billowing in the wind.
Even more striking was the calligraphy on the plaque above, vigorous as dragons and serpents, robust as iron and silver.
This is the Iron Blood Escort Agency!
Since my return to Luoxia City and back to the Ziyang Escort Agency, seven whole days have passed.
Throughout these seven days, I once again embraced the blissful life of not stepping beyond my doors.
Each morning I would rise early for martial arts practice, then read in my study after breakfast.
An hour later, I would resume my training, continuing until lunchtime.
A short rest in the afternoon, and then I’d repeat the morning’s routine.
My life was simple, verging on monotonous.
Yet I was content with this and saw nothing amiss with it.
The only thing was that Uncle Fu urged me to visit the Iron Blood Escort Agency sooner.
After seven consecutive days, I finally yielded, bringing along the visiting card Uncle Fu had prepared, arriving at the Iron Blood Escort Agency.
Having delivered the visiting card, the gatekeeper went in to report my arrival, and after a short while, a middle-aged man came out.
“Young Master Su, please follow me.”
His attitude was neither enthusiastic nor cold; he wore a gentle smile, like a spring breeze caressing the face.
I thanked him and followed behind.
After all these years, stepping into the Iron Blood Escort Agency once again brought an indescribable feeling.
I couldn’t help but recall Yang Xiaoyun’s words at Shi Li Pavilion.
The people remain the same, the city remains the same; it seems everything is as it was, yet everything has changed.
However, memory is fleeting and not profound; blown away by the summer’s hot breeze, nothing remains.
Turning past the screen wall, passing through a large courtyard where escort masters were diligently practicing, under the scrutinizing or curious looks of the escort masters, I then traversed several corridors to arrive before the great hall.
Upon entering the great hall, the guide said:
“Lord Su, please take a seat for now; the Chief will be here shortly.”
Having said this, he clapped his hands lightly: “Someone, serve tea.”
Immediately, maids and servants brought tea, and then everyone withdrew from the hall, leaving me alone, facing the cup of tea on the table.
A moment later, I shook my head slightly, lifted the teacup, fiddled with the few leaves on the surface using the lid, and took a sip.
“At least they didn’t resort to Noxious Starweed against me.”
I let out a wry smile; the tea was probably good, but I’m no tea connoisseur. Even if I wracked my brain, the best praise I could muster would likely be just two words: tasty.
Alas, no matter how delicious food is, eating it repeatedly dulls its flavor.
No matter how good the tea is, drinking too much can make one feel bloated.
After downing four or five cups, I felt a faint swaying in my belly, where the sound of sloshing water could be heard.
Yet the Chief, who was supposed to arrive ‘shortly’, had shown no sign of coming, making me wonder if he got lost on the journey of life…
But oddly enough, I wasn’t in a rush, sitting there calmly as if nothing was amiss.
Another while passed, and then came the scurrying sound of footsteps from outside the hall. Turning to look, I saw Yang Xiaoyun with her flowing hair, stepping briskly into the hall.
Naturally, her gaze found me instantly: “You’re here!!!”
The young woman was still somewhat impetuous, her eyes sparkling with excitement, genuinely happy.
“I’ve been waiting for you at home for a full seven days without a peep from you. If you didn’t come, I would have gone to the Ziyang Escort Agency and dragged you back myself.”
I smiled: “Considering our agreement, I couldn’t let myself become fat on false promises.”
“To keep one’s word is the conduct of a true gentleman.”
She looked around the hall: “Where’s father?”
“I haven’t seen the Chief.”
Su Mo’s lips curved into a half-smile, half-smirk.
“Humph.”
Yang Xiaoyun’s brows knitted slightly: “Never mind him, come with me.”
As she spoke, without regard to propriety between men and women, she took Su Mo’s hand and headed outside.
Su Mo hesitated for a moment, yet did not pull away. But before leaving the hall, he nodded slightly towards the depths of it.
The two quickly disappeared from the front of the hall.
Just then, a person emerged from the inner court.
This person was tall and thin, standing tall and straight like a spear.
His eyes were deep and bright, indicating profound Inner Strength.
But at this moment, his brows were slightly furrowed, seemingly puzzled.
The middle-aged man leading the way came up behind him:
“Chief, this Young Master Su from the Su family does not appear to be as incapable as the rumors suggest. He… seems to have noticed our secret observation.”
Yang Yi remained silent, and after a moment closed his eyes:
“When he leaves, tell him it’s best not to come here when there’s no business.”
“But now…”
The middle-aged man was slightly startled, clearly hesitant.
Yang Yi turned to leave, apparently with no desire to respond, but after taking two steps, he paused and pondered, “After all, they’ve been childhood friends. Even if they are not destined to be together, their meeting is still precious. Let’s not disturb them.”
“Yes.”
The middle-aged man nodded lightly, then turned and left.
…
…
“The Iron Blood Escort Agency is growing increasingly powerful, truly a place where talents emerge one after another. The person who led me in today had his own style of conduct, but I wonder when Uncle Yang recruited this expert?”
Following Yang Xiaoyun deeper into the escort agency, Su Mo casually started the conversation as if he had asked without a thought.
“Oh, are you referring to Uncle Xu? His name is Xu Ruoshen, also known by his nickname ‘Cloud Catcher.’ He’s an adept from Jianghu whom Dad met in the past two years and has since joined our agency. Dad values him a lot and sees him as his right-hand man.
“Why do you suddenly ask?”
Yang Xiaoyun looked towards Su Mo.
Su Mo smiled, “Nothing much, just curious.”
What he was more curious about was why Yang Yi’s attitude towards him was so strange.
Letting him enter, yet avoiding meeting him, instead secretly spying from the shadows.
The reason for such a conjecture was due to Yang Xiaoyun’s words earlier.
The man who had led him in was highly valued by Yang Yi, and among the two who had been spying on him in the dark, one had a breathing rhythm distinct from ordinary people, exactly matching that of Xu Ruoshen who had led him in.
It was evident that he practiced a unique form of Inner Strength with a specific breathing technique.
Yang Xiaoyun said that Yang Yi relied upon this man as his right-hand man, indicating his significant status within the Iron Blood Escort Agency.
Who else, if not Yang Yi, could have followed him so closely, given such a spot?
Besides, this was the Iron Blood Escort Agency; apart from the Chief, who would dare to spy so openly and unchallenged?
Before he could ponder further, Yang Xiaoyun’s voice reached his ears:
“I see. But when traveling through Jianghu, it’s best not to be too curious. There are many who died mysteriously on Jianghu due to excessive curiosity.
“We don’t meet often, so let’s not talk about this. Let me test how good your martial arts skills are.”
“Hm?”
Su Mo turned to look at Yang Xiaoyun, only to see her lips curve upwards:
“Watch out for my move!”
As soon as she finished speaking, her palm struck out like a knife, slicing through the air.
The move was executed crisply and decisively, and even though it was devoid of Inner Strength, its sharpness was exceptional.