Steward Wang explained,
"When escorting goods, bandits are usually just after money. As long as you make the right arrangements, there's usually no trouble. But with bodyguarding, it's fine if nothing happens. When a problem does arise, it's often a revenge killing. If you can't escape, you'll have to fight to the death."
"I understand." Jiang Che nodded.
"For ordinary small jobs, we don't need you Martial Artists to step in. But when the cargo is valuable or the roads are dangerous, we'll have to trouble you experts."
"That's only right," Jiang Che replied.
"But you don't need to worry too much," Steward Wang said with a smile. "Most of the escort routes are cleared in advance."
Jiang Che smiled in understanding. "By the way, Steward Wang, are there any escort jobs to Hengsha City soon? I have some business there and was planning to make a trip."
"None right now. When there is one, I'll send someone to inform you."
After speaking, he took out a Contract.
"We may not be in big business, but we can't skip the proper procedures."
Jiang Che looked it over carefully, then picked up a brush and wrote his name.
"Nice handwriting!" Steward Wang was a little surprised. He didn't expect a Martial Artist to have such good penmanship, and his impression of Jiang Che improved.
"You flatter me, Steward! I just attended a private school for a few years and learned a little about calligraphy," Jiang Che said after finishing, handing the Contract back.
Steward Wang took it and put the Contract away with a smile.
Jiang Che hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Steward Wang… I'd like to request an advance on this month's salary."
Steward Wang was a bit surprised to hear this. Logically, someone who could afford Martial Arts Training and become a formal disciple shouldn't be short on cash.
But he quickly regained his composure. "Alright. I've always respected Hall Master Luo's character. As his disciple, I trust you!"
With that, he took out thirty taels of silver from a drawer and handed them to Jiang Che.
Thirty taels of silver wasn't much to the Escort Agency, but if it could earn the goodwill of a Martial Artist—especially a disciple of Hall Master Luo Kun—it was more than a worthy bargain.
Jiang Che quickly accepted it. "Thank you, Steward Wang!"
The heavy silver was clutched in his hand.
It was the first time he had ever possessed this much money.
In an instant, a powerful sense of security washed over him.
After leaving the Escort Agency, Jiang Che began to think about his next steps.
'Even though Steward Wang said there wasn't much danger, they're willing to pay so much. It definitely isn't as safe as he made it sound…'
Although he had the Omen Skill, which allowed him to foresee danger a few seconds in advance.
But if his opponent was far stronger than him, or if he was already trapped in a perilous situation, Omen would be useless.
Thinking about the various dangers he had encountered and heard about before, he felt a faint pressure building inside.
'I should get some more things to protect myself.'
Jiang Che decided to check out a blacksmith shop first.
The blacksmith shop was also in the East District, not far from the Escort Agency.
As Jiang Che walked, he pondered what kind of things would be most suitable for him.
Along the way, Jiang Che often saw Martial Artists with vigorous Qi Blood walking the streets.
These people were usually dressed in the uniforms of a Martial Arts Hall or the attire of an Escort Agency.
As a result, there were very few ruffians or scoundrels in the East District.
Additionally, Jiang Che saw almost no beggars.
The streets were also much cleaner.
It just wasn't as prosperous as the West District, but it was far better than the South District.
After a short while, Jiang Che arrived at the blacksmith shop.
The black-lacquered sign with golden characters was somewhat faded, but the three words "Zhang's Iron Shop" were still clear.
The shop wasn't large. A few finished products—swords, sabers, and farm tools—were displayed at the entrance.
The furnace inside was roaring, and the constant DING DING DING of a hammer on metal could be heard.
Jiang Che stepped inside, and a wave of hot air washed over him.
A burly, middle-aged man with broad shoulders and a thick waist was swinging a hammer.
Seeing someone enter, he first said, "Just a moment," then continued hammering a piece of raw iron.
The piece of raw iron was gradually hammered into the shape of a short blade.
He picked it up with a pair of tongs to inspect it. Seeing no issues, he plunged it into a nearby water bucket.
"TSSSSSS!"
The water, shocked by the red-hot iron, instantly boiled and released a cloud of white steam.
"What can I get for you, customer?" he asked, wiping away sweat. The muscles on his arms were like knotted cords.
"Do you have anything suitable for self-defense?" Jiang Che asked.
"Self-defense?" The blacksmith raised an eyebrow, looking Jiang Che up and down. "What kind are you looking for? Armor or a Weapon?"
Jiang Che thought for a moment. "I'd like to see both."
The blacksmith nodded. "Alright, follow me."
The two of them went further inside.
The walls were covered with all sorts of Weapons and armor.
The blacksmith took a few items down from the rack and placed them on a wooden table.
"A Heart-Protecting Mirror forged from Refined Iron, five taels of silver."
"A small dagger that can be hidden in a boot, eight taels."
"And this." The blacksmith pulled out a dark-looking vest.
"Studded Bull Skin Soft Armor, ten taels."
Jiang Che picked up the Soft Armor and weighed it in his hands, finding the weight manageable.
The inner layer of the Soft Armor was cured leather, while the outside was covered in sharp studs.
'If someone punched this, they could say goodbye to their hand... This thing is great!'
"I'll take this," Jiang Che said, gritting his teeth.
Ten taels wasn't a small sum, but if it could truly save his life in a crisis, it was worth it.
"Alright, but you'll have to come back in a few days to pick it up. I'll make a new one for you. This one was custom-ordered by another customer, I can't give it to you."
"Can't you bend the rules a little? Just give me this one. I need it urgently, I can pay extra!"
Jiang Che didn't know when he would be sent on a mission and was afraid he wouldn't have it in time.
"I really can't. First come, first served—that's the rule of the Jianghu." The blacksmith shook his head and hung the Soft Armor back up.
"Then put a rush on it for me."
"I'll do my best."
Jiang Che looked at the other Weapons hanging on the wall and found them all too conspicuous and difficult to carry discreetly.
"Do you have… something more concealable?" Jiang Che asked in a low voice.
The blacksmith narrowed his eyes. "Are you looking for Hidden Weapons, sir? I don't sell those here. The Government Office cracks down hard on them."
"Not Hidden Weapons. Just smaller knives, daggers, that sort of thing."
The blacksmith brought some over. Jiang Che handled them for a moment but wasn't particularly satisfied.
Suddenly, Jiang Che remembered something he had collected in his previous life, and his eyes instantly lit up.
"Do you have paper and a pen?" Jiang Che asked.
The blacksmith brought over a charcoal stick. "Will this do?"
Jiang Che nodded and then drew a small object on the table.
The object was no longer than a finger, with a horizontal handle and a short spike embedded in the middle.
"What's this? An awl?" the blacksmith asked doubtfully after looking at it.
"Mhm. Can you forge it?" Jiang Che didn't bother to explain.
"It looks simple enough, and it doesn't seem like a Hidden Weapon. Alright. It doesn't use much iron, so let's say five taels."
"Three taels," Jiang Che countered.
"Four taels, and not a bit less. I'll rush the order for you," the blacksmith said.
"Deal." Jiang Che took out four taels. "This is the deposit. I'll give you the remaining ten taels when I pick up the goods."
After leaving the blacksmith shop, Jiang Che felt much more at ease.
What he had the blacksmith forge was precisely the famous Hand Stab from his previous life.
When held in the hand, the spike protrudes from between the fingers, yet it isn't obvious.
When trading punches with someone, a moment of carelessness would result in the opponent's hand being pierced by the iron spike, or even their fingers being crippled.
Once struck, they would basically lose their ability to continue fighting.
This world didn't seem to have such a thing, making it all the more impossible to guard against.
'If I could smear some poison on it, that would be even better…'
The more he thought about it, the more feasible the idea seemed to Jiang Che.
It would be best to coat the studs on the Soft Armor with poison too. Then his safety would be guaranteed!
Combined with his two Talent Skills, Omen and Heart Stream, he was confident he could escape unscathed even from an expert at the Stone Skin Realm!
'But... where can I get poison?'