Chapter 55. Rebuilding the Sichuan Branch (4)

The next day, I made time to head to the Tang Clan. The branch's atmosphere was so bad, and if things continued like this, there might not even be time to use the favor token before a withdrawal.

‘If we could have received support from headquarters, there might have been a way...’

Currently, each branch of the Baiyun Escort Agency is in a difficult position to receive active support from headquarters.

Since it's an upper-level issue, I don't know the details, but according to Bai Linghua, the headquarters in Anhui Province is currently preoccupied with internal strife.

The Baiyun Escort Agency was originally a joint venture between the Bai Family and the Yun Family. After the Yun Family caused a major incident in Sichuan and withdrew from management, the Bai Family took control of the operations.

The problem is that the Yun Family has recently signaled its intention to return to management, and the Bai Family is putting all its efforts into preventing this.

‘This isn't a royal rebellion, but what can you call it?’

This is the problem with joint ventures. Really.

In any case, the reason Bai Linghua was touring the external branches instead of returning to headquarters was precisely because of this.

‘From the Bai Family's perspective, they probably don't want to show Bai Linghua this situation.’

Since it's a martial world, in modern times, Bai Linghua would just be a fresh college student. The Bai Family probably doesn't want to show such a young person the dirty fighting.

In any case, because headquarters is in such a situation, they don't have the capacity to pay attention to the branches. The Sichuan branch, which isn't particularly important, has been completely abandoned by headquarters.

‘In the end, the Sichuan branch is just going to fail.’

I had almost given up on this escort mission. The Sichuan branch is in a position where it wouldn't be strange if it were closed or withdrawn at any time.

So today, I decided to use the favor token in advance to secure what I could. It would look bad if I had to rush out and back when the withdrawal happens later.

I had already decided what to request.

‘After all, the antidote wine is the most appropriate.’

After the incident at the Black Point a while ago, I realized the fear of poison. If I had eaten, and even if I hadn't, everyone would have died if it weren't for Guo Doushan.

Thinking about this, I felt a renewed sense of caution about poison. Honestly, until now, food poisoning had been much more frightening to me.

But I judged that from now on, I would need to guard against poison, and the most appropriate thing for that would be the antidote wine.

‘Still, hmm...’

However, when I actually arrived at the Tang Clan alone and thought about knocking on the door, my heart raced.

‘It brings back old memories.’

When I was in college, I once had a project to conduct a survey on the working conditions of employees. I don't know why college students had to do such a survey, but that was the project.

The task was to enter a company, distribute questionnaires to employees, and collect them. Our group's target was the Bank of Korea.

There were no problems until the day before.

Until the day before, that is.

‘Senior, I suddenly have a memorial service today.’

‘I have a cousin's funeral.’

‘Brother, I suddenly have an interview...’

On the day of the project, all the group members suddenly went missing. The group chat was ignored, so I had to go to the Bank of Korea annex alone.

Holding about thirty questionnaires, I stood in front of a building that looked like the Government-General of Korea, trembling and scared. I paced around for two hours, trying to muster the courage to go in.

Seeing the heavy door of the Tang Clan, I remembered that moment.

‘I should have brought someone, anyone.’

Zuo Junping would have been the best, but he was busy and couldn't come. I circulated my inner energy according to the techniques of the Heavenly King Heart Sutra to calm my nerves and was about to knock on the door.

At that moment,

“Cheng Biao?”

I heard someone call my name from behind and turned to see Wei Ji. She was carrying a large bundle of something.

“Wei Ji!”

I called out to her with delight. Wei Ji, carrying a lot of items, bowed slightly to greet me. I noticed she was carrying too much, so I helped her with a few items. She bowed again to thank me.

“Thank you.”

“You're welcome. By the way, what are all these?”

“Um...”

On closer inspection, they were target boards and dummies.

It's a bit creepy.

“Are you going to practice hitting someone?”

“No, it's not that. Actually, Gui Ren wants to test the new hidden weapon that Xiao A made.”

I remembered the conversation in the carriage. I nodded.

Suddenly, I thought it might be a good idea to receive the hidden weapon. It could be a useful trick.

“What kind of item is it?”

“It's a hidden weapon that moves unpredictably and flies as you wish...”

So it's like a knuckleball.

Suddenly, my interest in the hidden weapon waned.

The hidden weapon isn't bad, but it's difficult to throw if you're not used to it, and it's hard to recover once thrown. I decided to stick with my original plan to get the antidote wine.

“By the way, how have you been at the Tang Clan?”

“I've been well, everyone has been very kind to me.”

“That's good. I, this time...”

I entered the Tang Clan while chatting with her. With Wei Ji by my side, I was able to enter easily without any formalities.

On the way to the guest room where they were staying, Wei Ji asked,

“Why did you come here, Cheng Biao?”

“I came to use this.”

I took out the Tang Clan favor token from my sleeve and showed it to her. Wei Ji looked at it carefully and said,

“A Tang Clan favor token. Did you help the Tang Clan before?”

“Not exactly, but I helped someone who did.”

I told her about the incident between Senior Zuo Junping and the Tang Clan, and how I helped Senior Zuo Junping. Wei Ji nodded.

“I see.”

“Yes. So I want to use it this time. I might not come to Sichuan again.”

We arrived at the guest room, and I put my luggage down in a corner. Wei Ji, looking worried, asked,

“Is it okay? Tang Xiao A is out with Gui Ren today.”

“Oh, I see. I was going to talk to her since I know her.”

“Hmm. There are others, right?”

“Hmm. A favor token... You should talk to the guest hall master.”

“The guest hall... I'll have to find where it is.”

Where is it?

I sighed softly, and Wei Ji said,

“I'll go with you. It's a large place, and you might have trouble finding your way.”

“Thank you, Wei Ji.”

I followed Wei Ji to the guest hall. When we arrived, the guest hall master was there, and a woman was talking to her. Wei Ji immediately made a fist salute.

“It's been a while. Sister Xian.”

“Oh, come in quickly.”

I also made a fist salute, and the woman called Tang Xian greeted us with a smile.

“So, how have you been? Hehe.”

“Yes. Have you been anywhere recently?”

“Ah, I had some business to attend to at the Ami Sect and returned today.”

“The Ami Sect?”

“Yes. I had some matters to discuss with Zheng Xian.”

Listening to their conversation, I learned that she was the older sister of Qingfeng Tang Xiao A, whom I had met a while ago. Looking at her face, I could see the resemblance.

‘They do look a lot alike.’

Tang Xiao A would probably look just like her when she grows older. The only difference was the color of their eyes. Tang Xiao A's eyes were like the blue sea, while Tang Xian's were a deeper sapphire.

“I've been well. How about you?”

“Hmm, the same as always. Helping out at home.”

Tang Xian had a youthful appearance, typical of a martial artist, but watching her talk to Wei Ji, I could tell her age.

‘She's around my age.’

I watched the two women chat for a while, and then Tang Xian said,

“Who is this young man? Could it be...”

Tang Xian narrowed her eyes and teased, and Wei Ji quickly denied it.

“It's not like that.”

“Hmm, you're at that age...”

“It's not like that.”

She didn't need to deny it so firmly...

‘Hey, your boyfriend is leaving.’

‘Do you want to die?’

Suddenly, the trauma from my school days resurfaced. I felt sad emotions welling up in my eyes.

‘What? Why? I... tears...’

While I was suffering inside, Wei Ji, who hadn't noticed, continued talking.

“He's a courier from the Baiyun Escort Agency...”

“Oh, really? From the Baiyun Escort Agency?”

Tang Xian, who had heard Wei Ji, looked surprised. She seemed to know the Baiyun Escort Agency.

It seems things will go well.

Thinking it was a positive sign, I smiled and said,

“Yes, but I'm not here as a courier today.”

“Then why did you come to the Tang Clan?”

“To use a favor token.”

“A favor token?”

Hearing my words, Tang Xian lightly clapped her hands. Then, a servant appeared, as if from nowhere.

Tang Xian instructed the servant in a serious tone,

“Please lead the guests to a room. I will personally entertain them, so make sure to treat them well.”

“Yes, Miss. I will do as you command.”

Wei Ji had intended to leave after guiding me, but ended up coming with me.

The servant led us to a room where three cups of tea were already waiting.

‘When did they brew it?’

How did they manage to brew tea so quickly in this era without a water purifier? I took a sip, and it tasted quite good.

‘Not just good, this is Dongting Biluochun.’

The exact same Dongting Biluochun that Chief Jiang cherished and drank sparingly. The aroma was rich, indicating it had been transported under perfect humidity control.

“Back then, it was just a regular tea...”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing, never mind.”

I was surprised by the higher quality tea compared to when I came with Bai Linghua. This is how the Tang Clan treats guests, I thought.

‘It seems I can expect a good reward.’

I felt I would be treated well. As we enjoyed the tea, Tang Xian entered in a different outfit.

She had been dressed casually earlier, but now she was in a more formal attire.

Tang Xian asked me very politely,

“Does the tea suit your taste?”

I was a bit taken aback by her overly polite manner and decided to respond humbly.

“Please don't be so formal. It's too much for a mere courier.”

“No, it's not. How can I treat someone who has helped our family with such formality?”

She bowed politely and, noticing my empty cup, refilled it. It felt good to be treated to tea by such a beautiful woman, but it was also quite embarrassing.

It was too much for just a copper token.

‘I need to finish my business quickly and leave.’

I took out the favor token and said,

“Is it true that anyone can use a favor token, not just the person who received it?”

“Of course, but only if it was obtained through proper means.”

She meant it wouldn't apply if the token was extorted or stolen. Since this wasn't an issue, I nodded.

“It was obtained properly.”

“I see. Understood. What would you like to receive with this favor token?”

“If possible, I would like to receive the Tang Clan's antidote wine.”

“Hmm... You want the antidote wine. Please wait a moment.”

Tang Xian took out a book and took the favor token from me. She held it up to the sunlight, tilting it slightly. I didn't know what she was doing, so I asked,

“What are you doing?”

“I'm checking the number.”

Could there be a serial number on the favor token?

It must be hidden in a way that isn't obvious. I had looked at it closely a few times but hadn't noticed anything.

‘Impressive.’

I was impressed by the Tang Clan's thoroughness in verifying the authenticity of the token. Tang Xian carefully examined the token and compared it with the book, muttering to herself.

“No, this can't be...”

“Pardon?”

“It's impossible. How...”

“Is there a problem?”

I asked what the problem was, but she continued muttering without responding.

‘Is it a fake?’

Senior Zuo Junping wouldn't have done that, I thought.

I was confused about what was happening when Tang Xian suddenly put the token down with a thud and said,

“Where did you get this?”

Her voice sounded very urgent, different from before. I raised my hand to explain slowly.

“It... This was given to me by a senior...”

“A senior? Who is it?”

She leaned forward, eager to hear more. I gestured for her to calm down and said,

“I don't know what's going on, but please calm down. Why are you so upset?”

Then, Tang Xian shouted,

“This is my token!”

Huh?