In the following few days, the head Shopkeeper of the escort agency only met with Lin Shan briefly, offered a few words of encouragement, and then left.
He was then assigned as an escort under Chief Wang. Lin's Escort Agency naturally didn't only consist of Lin Family members; it also recruited industry elites.
There were three main chiefs in the escort agency. Chief Wang had over ten escorts, more than thirty security personnel, and over fifty general laborers under him, totaling over a hundred people.
He himself was the only first-rate master among the three chiefs, renowned throughout Clear River County, and also the strongest in the escort agency!
The Shopkeeper himself was a direct descendant of the Lin Family and didn't need to go on escort missions; he was only responsible for management. Any major matters were often discussed with Chief Wang.
Generally, when newcomers reported for duty, they would also work under the great master, Chief Wang, to reduce the casualty rate and grow quickly, as escorting is a perilous business.
...
Half a month later, on the steps of the escort agency's main gate.
At this time, Lin Shan was wearing a brand-new escort uniform, holding a standard ring-hilted saber newly issued by the escort agency, and chatting with a sixty-year-old elder beside him.
This person was also an escort under Chief Wang, the oldest among them, and everyone called him Master Pu.
Master Pu had cultivated deeply in the Viscera Training Realm for many years, with forty years of experience, and was an old-generation expert within the escort agency. Lin Shan naturally sought his humble advice, attending to him diligently, and over these past ten-plus days, they had gradually become familiar with each other.
"Master Pu, we've been idle for half a month and still no missions. When are we heading out of the city for some action?"
Master Pu puffed on his dry pipe, a cloud of thick smoke Spurting from his nostrils, like two long dragons, enveloped Lin Shan's face.
Lin Shan coughed several times, choked by the smoke. This second-hand smoke would have been his nemesis in his previous life, but in front of a Senior, he could only endure it with a smiling face.
"No need to rush, young man, you're always so restless."
Master Pu puffed smoke and lay back for a moment, "In a few days, there's a batch of official goods to be delivered to the neighboring Zangke County. Everyone under Chief Wang must go, and you won't be excluded."
Lin Shan quickly came forward and, with a keen eye, refilled Master Pu's pipe with tobacco.
"Wouldn't that mean over a hundred people setting out together? With such a large movement, will Chief Wang, that old gentleman, be going?"
"Nonsense! This batch of official goods is of great importance. Chief Wang will naturally personally escort and oversee it to prevent petty criminals."
Lin Shan beamed with joy, "At that time, I'll have to rely on you, Master Pu, for your care and guidance."
Master Pu puffed on his cigarette, laughing and scolding, "You little brat! Just follow behind me then, and be smart about it!"
"Got it!"
...
Several days later, at the South Gate of Clear River County , a long procession of teams gradually left the city.
A group of mules and horses in the procession stretched for a hundred paces, and over a hundred people, each holding weapons, escorted more than ten escort carts. The carts were all covered with oilcloth, and it was unknown what goods were inside.
At this time, Lin Shan and Master Pu were driving the same carriage, one on the left and one on the right, chatting idly leaning against the goods behind them. The general laborers walked alongside on the ground, while the security personnel in the distance rode horses, guarding the surroundings and scouting the path ahead.
They traveled like this for several days, passing through several county towns under the commandery's jurisdiction for supplies, and no accidents occurred. The atmosphere within the team also gradually relaxed, and even the general laborers were talking and laughing.
"I heard that after this official escort mission is completed, the escort agency will make a large profit."
"No matter how much is earned, it all goes into the pockets of the Lord Sima Nongs. What does it matter to us small fries?"
"Chief Wang promised before leaving that if the goods safely arrive within Zangke County , we can enjoy ourselves for three days on the spot, with all food, drink, and entertainment expenses reimbursed by the escort agency."
"Oh, then we must have a good look around. I heard that south of Zangke County is the territory of the Southern Barbarian, and slave traders often capture barbarian women and sell them to Brothels, maybe..."
...
It was noon, and the scorching sun was high in the sky.
The convoy had just left the border of Clear River County and stopped in place. Ahead was a mountain path.
The low mountains on both sides were lush and green, and further in the distance were overlapping mountain ranges. There was only this one path leading into Zangke County, so the team naturally first sent security personnel ahead to scout for safety.
"How is it? What news has come back from the front?"
The curtain of a carriage in the center was lifted, revealing a square face. Only one person in the entire convoy could sit inside a carriage, and that was Chief Wang.
The attendant riding a horse beside him quickly reported, "Reporting to Chief, the scouts ahead have not returned yet!"
"How long has it been?"
"About a quarter of an hour!"
Chief Wang frowned, looked around, and saw that everyone in the team was suffering terribly from the scorching sun, yet forcing themselves to endure it due to discipline. He couldn't help but turn to the guide and ask:
"How far is it from here to Zangke County City?"
"About 150 li. Not far ahead, about 30 li away, there is a county town where we can rest."
Unfolding the map, Chief Wang quickly scanned it and understood that the guide was referring to Yongchang County ahead.
30 li wasn't exactly far; speeding up, they might even make it into the town for afternoon tea. It didn't seem right to have his subordinates baking in the sun here.
Most importantly, this batch of goods was of great importance and must be delivered on time. If there was a delay, it would be difficult to account for it later.
Chief Wang weighed the options slightly and waved his hand.
"No need to wait for the scouts. Everyone, put in some effort! There's a county town 30 li ahead where we can rest!"
A cheer erupted in the team, and whips were cracked again as the convoy slowly started moving.
...
As they passed through the valley ahead, Lin Shan, leaning against the escort cart, shifted his position, just about to change posture and continue napping, when he suddenly heard a whistle sound from the surrounding mountains.
As soon as he opened his eyes, dense flocks of birds from the surrounding mountains and forests soared into the sky.
"What was that sound?"
"I don't know. Does this valley have a name?"
"Seems like it's called Fallen Phoenix Slope?"
"That name doesn't sound very auspicious."
...
Before Lin Shan could react, he suddenly heard a "thump" sound by his ear. He quickly turned his head and saw a feathered arrow firmly embedded in the frame of the cart behind him. The arrowhead had already sunk into the wood, and only the shaft outside was still trembling!
"Holy crap!"
Lin Shan was startled and quickly jumped down, touching his ear with lingering fear. That arrow had probably flown right past his ear! If it had been off by just a bit more, his head would have been shot!
At this moment, the sound of wind suddenly became dense around them.
"Swish!"
"Swish swish!"
"Thump!"
"Thump thump!"
...
Arrows shot out from the dense forests on both sides. The surrounding crowd scattered in panic, horses neighed in fright non-stop, and people occasionally fell after being hit by arrows.
"Ambush!"
Lin Shan didn't have time to think. A strong survival instinct urged him to quickly find cover and hide.
Seeing someone in the chaos hide under the wheel of an escort cart, Lin Shan quickly followed suit and ducked under the cart behind him.
Then he found that someone was already hiding under the cart. It was none other than...
"Master Pu?"
"What are you shouting about, you brat."
Master Pu unhurriedly reached his hand out from under the cart and even had the leisure to take down the water pouch from the cart and tie it around his waist.
Lin Shan, who had hidden himself, couldn't help but feel speechless. What about the promise to take care of him? He hid here without even a peep!
However, Lin Shan also knew in his heart that it was just polite talk. When disaster struck, who had time to care about others?
After a volley of arrows, groups of figures in black jumped out from the mountain forests on both sides. They wore black headscarves and black cloths covering their faces. Roughly estimated to be twenty to thirty people, they charged into the escort team with knives without a word.
"Which brave hero dares to oppose my Lin's Escort Agency? If you grant us convenience today, there will surely be a generous reward in the future!"
A long roar came. Lin Shan peeked out from under the cart and saw a figure flash in the front of the team. Chief Wang leaped up with his spear, speaking pleasant words, but his actions were incredibly ruthless.
With a thrust and a flick of his long spear, two black-clothed figures fell to the ground, clearly lifeless.
A figure also walked out from the dense forest opposite, appearing like a leader. He met Chief Wang's charge. The long sword in his hand was cunning and vicious, and he fought back and forth with Chief Wang, even having the leisure to command his subordinates while fighting.
"The leader of these assassins is also a first-rate master!"
Lin Shan hid under the cart, his palms sweating from tension. The escort agency members and the bandits around him had mostly engaged in close combat, but there seemed to be a huge disparity in strength between the two sides, resulting in a one-sided situation.
The battle between Chief Wang and the leader of the black-clothed figures was even more chaotic with dust flying everywhere, and sword light and spear shadows raging. Both sides' personnel subtly tried to avoid that area. A first-rate master who has achieved great mastery of Internal Force can imbue their weapons with True Qi, allowing even a piece of firewood to split rocks and carve stone tablets.
Without Innate masters appearing, battles between first-rate masters in the martial world were almost considered rare.
"Master Pu! What should we do!"
Master Pu's calloused hand pressed on him. He peered through the carriage wheel, observing the situation on the field with shifty eyes, his tone calm: "It looks like Chief Wang is at a disadvantage. Don't rush out yet."
"If Chief Wang is at a disadvantage, shouldn't we go out and help? Otherwise, if Chief Wang is finished, we won't be able to escape either!"
Lin Shan said urgently, but his feet didn't move from the spot. He stared intently at Master Pu. He always felt that following an old hand was reliable. After all, someone who had been escorting for forty years and was still alive must be very experienced.
"Ugh!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a grunt from outside the cart as an escort agency member fell to the ground. The black-clothed figure who killed him wiped the blood off his blade on the body. The moment he turned his head, his gaze happened to meet Lin Shan's, who was under the cart.
...