Chapter 42. First Escort (4)

After enrolling Yang Jinpo and the disciples as boatmen and four days later, the regular escort finally set off.

The destination of the regular escort was to transfer the goods from the Meiyang branch to the branch by Taihu, a huge lake in Anhui Province.

As this was my first escort as a bodyguard, I made thorough preparations.

I packed extra shoes and clothes, a raincoat in case of rain, a water bottle on my waist, and emergency rations in my pocket, and even wore gaiters, which I usually didn't wear.

Considering that this escort would involve a lot of camping, I paid special attention to fire-making. I replaced my worn-out lighter with flint and steel, matches, and a fire starter, and even packed a handful of straw for tinder, just in case.

'Preparations are perfect.'

The preparations were so solid that I could have gone on a backpacking trip without any worries.

I was always the type to pack more than necessary, even when I was a boatman, but this time I was even more cautious, carefully selecting and packing my items. I even checked my luggage several times, just in case.

Seeing my well-prepared self, Guo Dushan asked, "Why are you packing so much?"

"Better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. You never know what might happen, so it's best to be well-prepared."

"If that happens, I can just borrow from you, so it's all good."

"Who would lend you anything?"

In contrast to my heavily packed luggage, Guo Dushan looked like he was going to a local spring. I couldn't help but tease him, "Brother Guo, you're really light on your feet, aren't you?"

"I've been traveling the rivers and lakes for over ten years, and I've found that being light is the best. When something goes wrong, you get too focused on what you have."

"When something goes wrong, not having anything is even more distracting."

"Then I can just borrow from you."

"Ugh. Let's just stop talking. Just."

I really should have stopped talking.

When I picked up my backpack, I felt its heavy weight. I adjusted its position until it was comfortable and then went to stand next to Jiang Biadou, who was already near the cart.

My role in this escort was to be the guide, essentially the pathfinder.

Jiang Biadou glanced at me and asked, "Have you thoroughly studied the map?"

"Yes, I have it memorized."

"Good. Just don't rely too much on the map. A path is like a living thing; it can change unexpectedly."

"Understood."

Jiang Biadou nodded in approval. Normally, there was a dedicated guide, but this time I was assigned to the role to gain experience.

'I can't make any mistakes.'

I had memorized the map thoroughly over the past four days to avoid any mistakes.

Of course, even if I made a mistake and got lost, the entire escort wouldn't go astray. There were other bodyguards who had traveled this path countless times, including Jiang Biadou.

So why was I chosen as the pathfinder instead of someone else who knew the way well? This was a test to see if I could be a good pathfinder in the future.

'This is a good opportunity to show my worth.'

Pathfinders work harder and face more dangers than others, which is why they have higher salaries and better treatment.

'Once you become a pathfinder, you're unlikely to be fired unless something really bad happens.'

That's why I memorized the route so thoroughly, to the point where I could recall it without looking at the map.

Jiang Biadou began the final inspection before departure.

"Is everything in order with the first cart?"

"Everything is in order!"

"Good. What about the second cart?"

"Everything is in order!!"

After inspecting the last cart, Jiang Biadou immediately gave the signal to depart. A total of 42 people left the escort agency and began their journey.

As the pathfinder, I went out first and watched as they all came out. Once the last cart had left the agency, I started guiding the way.

I held a flag so that the group behind could easily follow, and walked about 50 meters ahead, keeping a close eye on the terrain and surroundings without relaxing my tension.

Although I had been to Wujian Mountain twice, once as a boatman and once as a trainee, I didn't let my guard down for a moment. Relaxing can lead to mistakes.

Guo Dushan, who was with me in the vanguard, kept making jokes.

"Do you really know the way? If you forget, it'll be a big problem, you know? I don't know the way at all."

"···Brother Guo, you really have a talent for something."

"What talent?"

"For getting beaten."

"That's why I practice martial arts."

Upon reflection, he had a point.

By the way, Guo Dushan wasn't being tested like me. He was chosen as a pathfinder because of his excellent martial arts skills.

That's why he could be so relaxed. I was on the verge of dying.

After exchanging words with Guo Dushan, we walked for about half a day and finally left the county, heading towards Wujian Mountain.

Wujian Mountain, a place with many stories and troubles, evoked a strange feeling in me.

'I'm back here again.'

As I entered the mountain, I felt a damp smell at the tip of my nose.

"Huh?"

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. I can smell the rain."

Before it rains, there's a peculiar smell. It's a mix of wet soil and concrete dust, a strange scent that permeates the air.

Guo Dushan sniffed a few times and said, "You're right. It smells like rain."

"Brother Guo, please go tell Chief Jiang. We need to decide whether to continue or not."

If we were unlucky, it could rain during our mountain journey. Rain in the mountains can complicate things. That's why I asked Guo Dushan to consult with Jiang Biadou about whether to continue or not.

Guo Dushan used his lightness skill to quickly return from Jiang Biadou and pointed forward, indicating that we should continue. I frowned slightly and asked, "We're just going to continue?"

"Well, we don't know if it will rain or not."

"Um... I understand."

Just because it smells like rain doesn't mean it will definitely rain. The smell is caused by a substance called geosmin, which is produced when tiny raindrops touch the soil bacteria.

So, the smell of rain means that tiny raindrops are falling, but they don't guarantee a full rain. They might just sprinkle a little and stop, or it could turn into a light drizzle or a heavy downpour.

Therefore, the smell of rain only indicates a higher possibility of rain, not a certainty. Even the weather forecast can be wrong.

Thus, Jiang Biadou's decision to continue wasn't wrong. If we chose a different route and the schedule was disrupted, it would be his responsibility.

'Still, I feel a bit uneasy.'

Sure enough, my unease soon became reality.

***

─Pitter-patter

We stood outside the cave, watching the rain pour down.

Everyone was drenched.

"It's coming down like a deluge."

Guo Dushan grumbled, looking at the sky outside the cave. The rain was pouring down as if there was a hole in the sky.

The rain started when we were halfway up the mountain. At first, it was just a few drops, but within minutes, it turned into a heavy downpour.

I frantically searched the map for a place where the group could take shelter, and the boatmen and boatmen quickly covered the goods with oiled cloth.

However, the waterproof cloth, which only provided the level of protection of a poncho, had its limits in protecting the goods. If the rain continued, the goods could be damaged.

The biggest problem was the horses pulling the carts. If they got sick from the rain, it would be a major issue.

Jiang Biadou urgently called me over and asked, "Is there anywhere we can take shelter from the rain? Like a cave!"

Unfortunately, there were no caves marked on the map. However, after looking around, I recognized the terrain and knew where the cave was.

"Let's go this way!"

Fortunately, there was a natural cold cave nearby where I had stayed with Wei Jiyan before.

The cave, not marked on the map, was spacious enough to accommodate the entire group, and we managed to find shelter from the rain.

We had entered the cave to avoid the rain temporarily, but it showed no signs of stopping.

Jiang Biadou sighed and said, "We can't continue. Everyone, start a fire and dry off. We'll camp here for the night."

Given the time, even if the rain stopped immediately, it would be too late to continue the journey. It was almost sunset.

I calculated the remaining distance and the time it would take to reach our destination. Although we were delayed, we were still within a safe range.

'As long as no more trouble arises, there shouldn't be a problem.'

Following Jiang Biadou's order, we quickly started a fire. We didn't want to risk catching a cold. We hurriedly took out the firewood from the carts and started a fire, then took off our outer clothes.

After a short while, the fire crackled, and everyone began to warm up. The warmth and comfort slowly returned.

"Chief, shall we start preparing dinner?"

"Um... Yes, let's do that."

With permission to eat, people quickly hung pots and started cooking porridge.

The fragrant smell quickly filled the cave.

After a while, as the porridge bubbled, we ladled it into bowls and started eating.

The porridge, made with rice, a few types of grain flour, and dried meat, wasn't particularly delicious, but it was edible with a bit of salt and oil.

Everyone was focused on eating as quickly as possible, but strangely, Jiang Biadou wasn't eating and was just staring outside.

'Is he worried about something?'

Seeing Jiang Biadou, who looked deeply troubled, I put down my bowl and approached him.

"Chief, is there something on your mind?"

"Ah, it's you. No, it's fine. Go back and rest."

"Understood."

Although he didn't look fine, I bowed and returned to my spot. I quickly finished the remaining porridge and looked at the pot. Unfortunately, there was no porridge left.

'This is frustrating.'

Feeling a bit hungry, I searched my pocket and pulled out a piece of emergency candy. I had prepared it for emergencies, and this was one of them.

When you're hungry, isn't it always an emergency?

I broke the candy into small pieces and let it slowly dissolve in my mouth. The sweet taste, which I had been craving, quickly spread.

As I savored it, Guo Dushan approached and asked, "What's that?"

"It's candy."

"Can I have some?"

"What... Did you bring any?"

In those times, both children and adults craved sweets. It wasn't strange for Guo Dushan, who was no longer young, to ask for some.

I grumbled and gave him a piece. Then, Sima Yu came running over.

"Brother! We're close, right? Can I have some too?"

"···Really."

Just as I was about to put the remaining candy back in my pocket, a one-armed man appeared in front of me. It was Yang Jinpo.

He looked at me with a pleading face.

"···What is it?"

"It's... the candy."

"···"

"···Can you give me one?"

I really want to punch each of them. Really.