Chapter 52: Rebuilding the Sichuan Branch (1)

A few days later, we were able to arrive at the Tang Clan. As soon as we arrived, we informed the Tang Clan in advance and completed a brief preparation.

The people who would visit the Tang Clan were quickly decided. The others would wait, while Bai Linghua, Pang Gui, Wei Jiyan, Zuo Junping, and I would go together.

"Th-Then, Chief? Am I going with you as well?"

"Yes, of course."

When I asked if she was serious, Bai Linghua replied as if it were obvious. However, a meeting with the Sichuan Tang Clan was a daunting occasion for a new employee in their Nth month.

"Th-Then, wouldn't it be better to have a more experienced escort?"

"No."

"Huh?"

Bai Linghua rejected my suggestion to reconsider, as if cutting through a log. Confused by her firm words, she then said to me,

"Cheng Cheng is my strategist."

What does that mean?

Seeing my puzzled expression, Bai Linghua pointed at the escort group with her finger. Following her finger, I had to admit the truth of her words.

'I see. It makes sense.'

Unfortunately, the people she brought this time, including Guo Doushan, were all brute strength types who had invested all their stats in physical power. There was no seasoned strong escort, and even Sima Yu, who was somewhat clever in the branch, didn't come.

The talent pool was so dire that even having Gao Sunmi by my side would be valuable. Realizing this, I looked at her with a powerless gaze, and Bai Linghua said in a low voice,

"Do you understand?"

"…I understand the gravity of my responsibility, Chief."

"Yes. Get ready quickly."

Of course, I understood, but what could I really do?

Such worries began to arise.

After a brief preparation, we knocked on the heavy door of the Tang Clan. When a servant came out, we stated our business.

"We are from Baiyun Escort Agency."

The servant asked us to wait for a moment. Soon, a person from the reception hall came out and greeted us politely.

"Please follow me. Miss Tang Xia is waiting for you."

"Alright, thank you."

Thanks to the advance notice, the conversation progressed quickly, which was fortunate. Following the guide, the Sichuan Tang Clan looked no different from the previous mansion at first glance, but when I slightly increased my inner strength, I felt an enormous difference.

'How many experts are there?'

I could sense the presence of experts who didn't hide their power from all directions. The aura was so intense that it felt like a sharp chill.

Although I was too inexperienced to accurately gauge their level, it seemed they were not below Wei Jiyan.

'Experts like this are on guard!'

I inwardly marveled.

These experts were deployed solely for the security of this place. In that moment, I glimpsed the immense power of the Sichuan Tang Clan and couldn't help but exclaim,

"Truly formidable."

"It's the Tang Clan. Our family is at this level too."

"Indeed, I see."

Pang Gui nodded proudly, as if it were a matter of course for a family of the Five Great Clans.

'Well, being one of the five major families in the vast Central Plains, it's only natural.'

There were quite a few powerful families in the martial world, like the Duanli and Jinzhu families, but among them, the Nangong, Tang, Murong, Pang, and Zhuge families were in a league of their own.

They were several times larger than other families and had close ties to the royal court, making them influential in both the political and financial worlds.

'That's why this matter is so important.'

To my knowledge, this was the first time Baiyun Escort Agency was directly dealing with the Sichuan Tang Clan. As it was their first transaction, we needed to be even more cautious and meticulous.

Bai Linghua also seemed tense, as if sharing my thoughts.

Following the guide, we stopped at what looked like a garden. There, a woman greeted us. She bowed politely and greeted us.

"It's been a while, Sister."

"Yes, how have you been?"

Bai Linghua greeted the woman with a radiant smile. When the woman lifted her head, I immediately recognized her.

Qingfeng (Blue Phoenix)

Tang Xia

'Now I see why she's called Qingfeng.'

Her eyes shone an unusually bright blue, a rare trait in the Central Plains.

At that moment, Pang Gui ran up and hugged her.

"It's been a while! Xia!"

"Oh, Gui."

Tang Xia also seemed pleased and hugged Pang Gui back. After a brief reunion, they began to catch up.

"How have you been?"

"I've been quietly at home."

"Hehe. I've been... this time, I fought with Yunchang..."

Tang Xia interrupted Pang Gui, who was about to boast about her fight with Yun Chang.

"Ah, I heard about that. Your family head even sent a letter here. He said to lock you up if you come."

"..."

After a brief catch-up, Tang Xia said,

"Would you like to go to the guest room for a while? I need to discuss business with Sister Bai."

"Sure!"

Tang Xia clapped her hands lightly, and a servant appeared without a sound. Pang Gui followed the servant, and Wei Jiyan, after a brief glance at us, also followed.

Once they left, Tang Xia spoke to Bai Linghua with a gentle smile.

"Then, Sister, let's put aside the catching up and discuss business first?"

"Sure."

Bai Linghua responded with a smile, but I sensed a strange atmosphere.

'Something doesn't feel right.'

Despite the long time since they last met, it felt like there was a wall between them. I glanced at Senior Zuo Junping to see if he felt the same.

'...'

Senior Zuo Junping seemed indifferent.

'I need to do my best.'

I walked behind Tang Xia, bracing myself for the tension.

***

We were led to the guest room. After receiving a cup of tea, the business discussion began with a brief exchange of pleasantries.

"Today's meeting is for business, so I will speak as the representative of the Sichuan Tang Clan, setting aside personal relationships."

As the conversation began, Tang Xia's eyes changed. They were soft and blue a moment ago, but now they were cold like ice.

"I understand. Please proceed."

Hearing this, Bai Linghua also switched to a more formal tone. Tang Xia began,

"We received a strong request from the Mu family, but we have some concerns."

"Concerns?"

"Yes. To be frank... we are unsure if Baiyun Escort Agency can successfully transport the goods."

The bombshell was dropped right from the start. Bai Linghua's expression stiffened slightly at this.

'This is a bit harsh.'

Although Baiyun Escort Agency wasn't highly regarded in Sichuan, I didn't expect to hear such words face-to-face.

However, Bai Linghua quickly regained her composure and said with a slightly disappointed tone,

"You are underestimating our Baiyun Escort Agency."

Indeed, even to me, Tang Xia's words seemed too harsh. While Baiyun Escort Agency wasn't on par with the major escort agencies in the Central Plains, it wasn't so incompetent that it couldn't handle a transport of this scale.

Moreover, we had brought reinforcements from other branches to ensure the job was done well. Given the effort, it would have been reasonable to entrust the job to us.

But Tang Xia didn't seem willing to back down.

"That's not the case. In Sichuan, it's a fair assessment."

"…What do you mean?"

"Please read this."

Tang Xia handed over a document. As Bai Linghua read it, her expression visibly stiffened.

'What kind of document is this?'

I couldn't see the document from behind, but as Bai Linghua read, Tang Xia spoke cautiously,

"Since this is our first transaction with Baiyun Escort Agency, we conducted some research. I apologize, but I found it somewhat risky."

"..."

They had investigated our agency.

However, it was puzzling. From Bai Linghua and Tang Xia's reactions, it seemed the report wasn't favorable, but why did it rate our agency as CCC?

No matter what, it wasn't that risky.

After finishing the document, Bai Linghua put it down and said with a slightly trembling voice,

"I have heard that our Sichuan branch has some... issues."

"Yes."

"That's why we brought reinforcements from other branches."

"Does that mean you can handle the job without problems?"

"Of course."

Bai Linghua's voice lacked its usual confidence. Curious about the document's content, I subtly glanced at it.

Though partially obscured, the visible parts were shocking.

...Due to these issues, the Sichuan branch of Baiyun Escort Agency is practically bankrupt...

...Moreover, the escorts it has are not even third-rate...

...Most importantly, there is a concern of embezzlement...

'Embezzlement, bankruptcy?!'

Even for a branch, the report contained phrases that shouldn't be in an escort agency's evaluation. As I was shocked, Tang Xia continued,

"If the transport fails, we are not obligated to pay. We will only pay after the goods are delivered safely."

"..."

Tang Xia's statement implied a DAP (Delivered At Place) contract with the Mu family, a common condition in large-scale transactions.

Tang Xia spoke calmly,

"Therefore, I apologize for the repeated inconvenience, but until we can trust Baiyun Escort Agency, we would like to entrust the job to another agency."

Bai Linghua, almost in a state of shock, countered,

"This report might contain errors."

Tang Xia smiled faintly and said,

"You can visit the Sichuan branch of Baiyun Escort Agency to see for yourself."

***

Bai Linghua looked as if she didn't know how she had left the Tang Clan. She seemed mentally shattered. We were in a similar state.

'If the Tang Clan refuses the transport, why did we come here?'

Our purpose for coming here was at risk of being nullified. Moreover, the bigger problem was that we couldn't immediately think of a solution.

What could we do if the branch was in such a mess?

'I can't understand how the Sichuan branch could be so bad that it received such a report.'

I could only sigh. Despite being called a strategist, I couldn't play any role.

Arriving at the Sichuan branch, we were speechless.

"We have arrived, Chief. This is the place."

The branch looked... too serious. The signboard was half-fallen, and spider webs were everywhere.

"T-T-This is..."

"Such..."

Bai Linghua was at a loss for words, and even the usually composed Senior Zuo Junping looked shocked. I was no different.

'The signboard is the pride of a martial arts sect. How could this happen...'

Even for a small sect, the signboard is a symbol of pride.

For reference, the signboard of Baiyun Escort Agency's Mayang branch was cleaned daily by servants, and the strong escort, Jiang, would inspect it weekly for dust.

"Something must be wrong."

"I haven't heard such reports... but let's go in first."

Bai Linghua knocked on the door, but there was no response. She knocked again, more forcefully, but still no answer. Senior Zuo Junping said,

"It seems no one is inside."

"But at this time?"

It was midday, around 10 AM. It was too late to say they hadn't come to work.

"I'll have to go in and call someone..."

As I said this, Bai Linghua spoke in a low but firm voice,

"Step back."

Bai Linghua's voice carried an unrefusable authority. I and Senior Zuo Junping instinctively stepped back.

Bai Linghua, standing in front of the door, lifted her foot—

—Boom!!

With a powerful stomp that shook the ground—

—Bang!!!!

She delivered a palm strike, shattering the door.

We stood with our mouths agape, staring at the broken door. Without looking back, Bai Linghua said,

"Let's go."