Chapter 47. Pesticide is Freshness (3)

As soon as the next day arrived, I gathered the Wujiang Mountain Hiking Club members at the back of the courier agency and said,

"We're going to Sichuan."

"What? What do you mean?"

"We're going on a courier mission to Sichuan."

I explained the situation and the necessity of the Sichuan trip. Since this would be our first mission after the club was established, it was only natural that I should go along.

"That hot place... "

"I sweat a lot."

"The food won't agree with me."

However, the members, hearing the sudden order for a trip, were perplexed about how to go to such a hot and distant place. I could understand their reaction.

Such long-term trips are not particularly enjoyable for couriers or porters. Long distances are too arduous. Even a few days of camping outside can make you sick for a week when you return home, and a long-distance mission that takes a month can be even worse. Therefore, long-distance missions are one of the least favorite tasks for both couriers and porters.

Of course, the pay is higher, but it's better to run several short distances than to suffer from a long-distance trip and fall ill.

But what can be done? I have to lead by example. If I go alone, it wouldn't be fair.

"Hey, when you're young, you should take on these unpleasant tasks with enthusiasm! That's how you earn favor!"

I learned this in the military. If you think you can do it, step forward. The members looked at me with the same expression, thinking I was a crazy young man, but I suppressed any objections.

"Anyway, that's it."

After informing the Wujiang Mountain Hiking Club members about the trip, I started preparing for the mission. Guo Dushan, who was preparing alongside me, muttered something the whole time.

"Huh. Sichuan... "

"..."

"Huh... Sichuan..."

"......"

It seemed he was about to say something nonsensical. I tried to keep my distance, but he kept coming closer and eventually spoke.

"Huh. I never thought I'd have to go back to Sichuan."

"That's good. Only promising people like me go there."

"Are we being sent to dump in Sichuan? I heard the branch there is a mess."

I suddenly imagined myself working alone in the desolate Sichuan branch.

...Surely not. I can't bear such a future.

"This Sichuan land. First, it's quite rugged, so people outwardly seem..."

I asked Guo Dushan, who kept talking about Sichuan.

"Have you been to Sichuan before?"

"Yeah, I went to Mount Emei once."

Mount Emei is a sacred Buddhist site in Central China and one of the three major sacred mountains, but more importantly, it's famous for being the home of the Emei Sect.

The Emei Sect, which once produced many heroines in martial arts, has been in decline since the suspicion arose that the nuns were bald. Fortunately, in this martial world, they have long, flowing hair.

"Is that so? Did you meet any Emei Sect monks?"

Guo Dushan suddenly lit up and exclaimed,

"Of course! I'll tell you a secret, I'm not without a romantic history."

Romantic history with that face? I was skeptical, but Guo Dushan proudly began his story.

"One day, while on a mission, I suddenly felt remorse. Although I only killed evil people, they were still living beings, weren't they?"

I could relate. I also had a period of doubt after falling into the martial world. I killed to survive, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

"So, I decided to visit a Buddha and pray for the souls of those I killed, and I headed to Mount Emei."

"Wait, isn't the Emei Sect a no-men zone?"

Like the Shaolin Temple, the Emei Sect strictly controls the entry of men.

"Mount Emei is vast. Not all temples belong to the Emei Sect. I planned to go to another temple."

"That makes sense."

"So, as I climbed Mount Emei... I got lost. I was sure I was on the right path, but I ended up in the middle of a forest."

"Such a shame..."

Underestimating the mountains often leads to such situations. Especially at night, finding your way is almost impossible.

"By then, the sun was setting... I was anxious and ran around aimlessly until I saw a small hermitage."

"Thank goodness."

A friend of mine once got lost in Jirisan, a mountain he knew like the back of his hand. Even he got lost.

Underestimating the mountains can lead to such situations.

Additionally, he said that while he was stranded, a small girl suddenly appeared and pointed him in the right direction, allowing him to escape the mountain.

'What the hell! That's a ghost!!!'

'Is it? Hmm...'

He was a good friend, though a bit lacking.

Anyway, Guo Dushan's story continued.

"So, I knocked on the hermitage door and an Emei nun came out."

"Hmm. What happened then?"

I leaned in. Could it be a forbidden romance? Ah... No, no. The Buddha is watching...

Guo Dushan spoke in a serious tone.

"So, she gave me some water. I was very tired, so I drank it all at once. I barely regained my senses. And when I looked at her... Huh. She was truly a celestial beauty."

"Then what?"

I swallowed hard, urging him to continue. Guo Dushan said,

"So, after drinking the water, she told me to leave, so I left."

"......"

"I still can't forget her beauty. She still appears in my dreams... "

"Is that it?"

"Um... Yes?"

What kind of person are you?

"Just go drown yourself in the river."

I decided to ignore him, thinking he was just a weird guy.

***

After thorough preparation, we set off for Sichuan. This mission was on a grand scale. We had two carriages for Bai Linghua, Pang Guiyin, and Wei Zhiyan, and ten couriers, along with fifteen porters.

It was as if we had taken half the pillars of the branch with us.

'The ones left behind and the ones leaving must be feeling terrible.'

It would be tough for us leaving, but it would also be hard for those staying behind. They would have to operate with almost half the usual staff during regular missions.

Thinking that we weren't the only ones suffering made me feel better. Pain shared is pain halved.

"Sister, by the way. This time, when we go to Sichuan, Xueya said she will show us a weapon she developed. It can fly on its own. She says if you throw it, it will fly around in the air."

"That... Guiyin. That sounds impossible."

"I told her it was impossible, but she keeps saying to come and see for ourselves..."

Pang Guiyin chattered non-stop in the carriage. She was excited to be out and looking forward to seeing her peers.

Glancing at Bai Linghua through the carriage window, she already looked exhausted. I silently cheered her on.

'Hang in there. Everyone.'

I walked along, using Pang Guiyin's chatter as background music. The mission wasn't particularly difficult, mainly because we had almost no luggage.

However, as the guide, I was doing most of the work. Wei Zhiyan, perhaps feeling sorry for me, often came out of the carriage to keep me company, saying she wanted to get some fresh air.

"Is this your first time in Sichuan, Cheng?"

"Yes. This is my first time in Sichuan. Have you been there before, Wei Zhiyan?"

I had never been to Sichuan. After falling into the martial world, I never thought about traveling far. This wasn't a school trip; traveling in this era was a matter of life and death.

Wei Zhiyan recalled the past with a slightly nostalgic look.

"I once came here with Guiyin to meet Tang Xueya."

"You mean Qingfeng Tang Xueya?"

In the Sichuan Tang Clan, there was Qingfeng Tang Xueya, a fellow Dragon Seven Peak classmate. I was curious and asked,

"How did everyone get to know each other? Is there a Dragon Seven Peak alumni association?"

"Um... There isn't a specific association, but we are all alumni of the same academy. The Dragon Seven Peaks are generally close to each other."

"An academy?"

Is there really a legendary martial arts academy?

I imagined a dreamlike scene. Fortunately, Wei Zhiyan didn't notice my dazed look and continued.

"Yes. It's called the Chengwu Academy, where promising young talents from prestigious families and sects in the martial world are educated. I attended it too."

"Wow. You're a graduate of Chengwu Academy."

"Yes. I was able to attend thanks to the support of the Pang family head."

The Pang family may have a reputation for being a bit lacking in intelligence, but they seem to be a warm-hearted family. I nodded and asked,

"Then, is the Chengwu Academy related to the Dragon Seven Peaks?"

"Yes. The Dragon Seven Peaks title is given to outstanding graduates of the Chengwu Academy."

So, does that mean Wei Zhiyan wasn't a good student? I was curious and asked,

"Then, did you struggle with your studies at the academy?"

"It's not like that!"

Wei Zhiyan strongly denied it before I could finish my sentence. I nodded and replied,

"Strong denial usually means there's something to it."

"No, it's not like that!"

According to Wei Zhiyan's desperate explanation, she had been top of the class a few times. However, she didn't become a Dragon Seven Peak because the academy, being funded by donations, prioritized students from families that contributed more.

I decided to believe her with an open mind.

"Understood. I believe you. Titles are not that important. What matters is your reputation in the martial world."

"Um... It feels a bit unpleasant to hear, but I'll take it as understanding."

After calming Wei Zhiyan down, I decided to change the topic. A safe and universal topic would be best.

"By the way, I had a dream recently."

"A dream?"

Exactly, dream talk. Wei Zhiyan asked in response. I answered calmly,

"Yes. I want to become a branch manager."

After falling into the martial world and being busy with survival, I had no dreams. But now, I had a dream to run my own branch. Wei Zhiyan asked,

"Which branch?"

"I'm not sure yet. It will probably be in Hubei or Sichuan."

I can only guess, as I'm not the one setting up the branch. But considering the current scale of Baiyun Courier Agency, it seems likely.

"Was being a branch manager your dream?"

"Not really, but... isn't the branch manager the highest position a regular courier can reach?"

"You could also go to headquarters."

"Headquarters is boring. There are too many people to watch out for."

That's true. Occasionally, a courier might go to headquarters, but it's rare.

Headquarters jobs prioritize administrative skills. The salary might be higher, but for a martial artist, being a branch manager is better.

"If I become a branch manager, I'll get married and start a family."

"Marriage?"

"Yes. I'm thinking about it in about three years. It's not too late. I'm getting a lot of marriage proposals. I'm quite popular."

It's not a lie. A while ago, Sima Yu mentioned marriage, saying he knew a good person.

I went with the intention of refusing, but the person turned out to be a widow in her forties living next door.

'Oh my god!'

The mental shock was indescribable.

If Sima Yu hadn't used his lightness skill to escape, I might have killed him.

I really wish he would die a painful death.

"Hmm..."

After I finished speaking, Wei Zhiyan gave me a sidelong glance.

We continued our conversation as we headed to the Sichuan Tang Clan.