Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Blocking the Way Chapter 29: Chapter 29: Blocking the Way Editor: Atlas Studios It’s still the same table of uneaten food.
Once the matter at hand was resolved, one still needed to continue eating. Uncle Fu, however, had been out of sight since earlier, obviously having gone to clean up Yang Xiaoyun’s room.
Su Mo devoured his meal with a bowl in hand, placing beside him the Dragon Roar in the Box.
Yang Xiaoyun glanced at him but seemed to have lost her appetite.
Su Mo looked at her and smiled slightly: “Are you worried about the strangeness of this escort mission?”
“Not long after you were almost assassinated, this escort task comes along. Ji Shuhua indeed spoke correctly, Iron Blood, Yangwei, and Heavenly Gate—these three major escort agencies have large enterprises and demand high fees.
“Yet, if this mission were given to Liu Suifeng, even if it were done for free, he would likely accept it.”
Yang Xiaoyun put down her chopsticks: “Ever since Liu Suifeng emerged from seclusion three years ago, he has been famous throughout Martial Arts with his Sixteen Forms of Heavenly Rainbow Heart Sword. However, in recent years, he has kept a low profile and seldom ventured into Jianghu. If we could forge a relationship with him through this, it would be worth more than ten thousand gold.”
“Indeed.”
Su Mo nodded: “Therefore, no matter how I think about it, he shouldn’t have chosen Ziyang Escort Agency.”
“This…”
Yang Xiaoyun hurriedly said: “I’m not saying that Ziyang Escort Agency is not good…”
“The decline is a reality. We’re just discussing facts. It’s not like I’m that delicate.”
“Mhmm… What is ‘glass’?”
“Uh…”
Su Mo thought for a moment: “Silicate non-metallic materials?”
“???”
Yang Xiaoyun was completely baffled. Each of these words made sense on their own but combined together seemed utterly foreign to her.
“Never mind, it’s not important.”
Su Mo waved his hand: “This escort task is indeed a bit strange. But the sword that Liu Suifeng asked to be forged doesn’t seem fake. If anything, it suggests someone in the dark deliberately facilitating this affair.”
“Since you thought of this, why did you still accept it?”
Yang Xiaoyun was taken aback.
“It’s an interesting opportunity, one that cannot be wasted.”
Su Mo continued: “Waiting idly at home, I have no idea when it might end. On the other hand, Uncle Fu lacks martial arts skills and would certainly be endangered if we truly encountered danger. Although I am confident, I can’t guarantee absolute safety for him. Now that I’m drawing these troubles out, their focus will be solely on me. Moreover, killing me might not even be their aim, so naturally, they won’t go out of their way to hurt Uncle Fu.”
Apart from drawing out the danger to bring an end to matters, Su Mo had another reason he did not voice.
During yesterday’s assassination, apart from the four assassins, there was yet another person hidden in the shadows.
Friend or foe?
If an enemy, they might come in contact during this journey, which would present a fine opportunity for a breakthrough.
If a friend, then all the better.
In any case, this escort mission served as a touchstone, and perhaps all uncertainties would find their answers.
Having contemplated this, Su Mo turned to Yang Xiaoyun after a brief pause: “However, just to be on the safe side, Sister Xiao Yun, I would like to ask for your help in looking after Uncle Fu while I’m away.”
“No way.”
Yang Xiaoyun shook her head without even thinking.
“??”
Su Mo was taken aback and had a suddenly uneasy premonition.
As expected, Yang Xiaoyun then spoke with a serious tone:
“I’ll accompany you on this escort mission.”
“…”
Su Mo blinked: “This mission is dangerous.”
“It’s precisely because it’s dangerous that I must accompany you.”
“What about Uncle Fu…”
“I will make arrangements.”
“Uncle Yang won’t agree…”
“A grown child can’t be dictated by their father!”
“…”
Su Mo’s mouth twitched involuntarily, finding himself a bit at a loss with this woman.
He wished he could speak harshly and dissuade her… but he felt she would probably just respond with even greater ferocity.
Unfortunately, the other party was entirely well-meaning, with every intention made for one’s own consideration.
In such a situation, how could one drive them away?
He sighed right then and there: “All right, all right, have it your way.”
“What do you mean, ‘have it your way’?”
Yang Xiaoyun was quite dissatisfied with this comment: “It’s as if taking me along is a burden… Well then, our Hero Su is indeed highly skilled in martial arts, so he looks down on a weak woman like me, doesn’t he?”
“Perish the thought!”
Su Mo hastened with a bow: “Who dares to say you’re a weak woman, I’ll be the first to disagree.”
“That’s the right attitude.”
The decision was already made, so there was no need for further discussion.
After both of them had eaten their fill, they began their preparations within Ziyang Escort Agency.
Traveling in Jianghu is not as simple as just stepping out; going with empty hands is tantamount to seeking one’s own death.
The small bundle was laid out, and carrying some emergency detoxification pills was essential, an emergency set of clothes was necessary, and the often-mentioned deer skin gloves.
The methods of poisoning in Jianghu are varied, and no one dares to say that touching an unknown substance with bare hands would not result in poisoning.
Therefore, if it’s possible to prepare, then one should prepare as much as possible.
Besides, it’s better to carry fewer silvers and more silver notes, as notes are easier to hide, while too much silver is conspicuous.
Wealth arouses greed; it is the easiest to attract trouble.
Once everything was ready, the two decided to get a good night’s sleep in Ziyang Escort Agency that evening and set out on horseback early tomorrow morning.
However, in the meantime, they each did one more thing.
On one hand, Yang Xiaoyun arranged for people to secretly protect Uncle Fu, and on the other hand, she had to send a letter to Yang Yizhi, as she couldn’t just leave without saying goodbye.
Su Mo thought to himself that this meant Yang Yizhi would show up at Ziyang Escort Agency tonight to confront and accuse them?
But unexpected, the night passed without incident, and all was well.
As for Su Mo… whatever he went out to do, and whoever he met, he kept strictly to himself.
Upon his return, his face showed no change whatsoever, as if he had just gone out for a short stroll.
And by the next morning, after they had eaten breakfast and said goodbye to Uncle Fu, they set out on their journey, Yang Yizhi still did not appear.
This made Su Mo even more puzzled about what exactly Yang Yizhi was thinking.
No wonder Yang Xiaoyun had some complaints about her own father; indeed, he seemed a bit unreliable.
As a result, just as the two were about to leave the city gate, they saw someone.
Xu Ruoshen stood tall before the city gate, his face a bitter smile:
“Young Leader, where might you be heading?”
“Uncle Xu, I already sent a letter to my father last night, explaining everything. I request that Uncle Xu let us pass without delaying our pressing matters,” Yang Xiaoyun said. Although she referred to ‘Uncle’, her tone was clearly not polite.
And there might have been anger in her heart.
She had sent a letter to her own father, and instead of coming himself, Yang Yizhi sent Xu Ruoshen to block her way, which didn’t seem reasonable at all.
Xu Ruoshen sighed, said nothing more to Yang Xiaoyun, but turned to Su Mo with a light smile: “Lord Su, although you and our Young Leader are engaged, times change, and whether this matter is settled remains a topic for debate. Now, without notifying our Chief, you wish to take the Young Leader away.
“This doesn’t seem quite appropriate, does it?”
Su Mo actually nodded, feeling that Xu Ruoshen made some sense.
But Yang Xiaoyun could no longer suppress her anger: “If you have something to say, let my father come and say it.”
“Young Leader, the Chief went out yesterday afternoon, and where he has gone is unknown to us. I did see the letter you sent, though I dared not peek at its content, I knew it must involve Lord Su. That is why I rashly stopped you. Young Leader, although I do not know your plans with Lord Su, I only wish to remind you to think three times before acting.”
“Hm? Are you teaching me what to do?”
“I dare not.”
“What if I must go no matter what?”
Yang Xiaoyun’s hand moved towards the Silver Spear on her back.
Xu Ruoshen sighed: “If that’s the case… Lord Su, my apologies, I just wish to ask you to wait a moment!”
As his words fell, the tip of his foot moved, and instantly as if separating light from shadow, he was airborne, arriving in front of Su Mo, his hand reaching out with a palm aimed at his shoulder.
He hadn’t intended to be lethal; he only sought to injure Su Mo to prevent him from leaving the city but also harbored an intent to test him.
Within the narrow alley, killing four men – was it really this down-and-out, worthless Su Mo who had struck?
But all that was seen was Su Mo letting out a light sigh, raising his hand and flipping out a palm.
With a thunderous clash, their palms met, Xu Ruoshen’s body shuddered violently, and within the merit of a moment, he was sent flying backward.
