Chapter 65. Home (2)

'Is it finally today?'

Today was the day I would meet my colleagues again after a long time.

While I was away in the far south bringing back Dangqil, the main group of Baigun Escort Agency, which had set off for the Mu family's manor, was finally returning today.

It had been a whole month since I last saw them, and I was somewhat worried.

'They said the Wudu Gate attacked once.'

According to Nanxing Escort Agency, the Wudu Gate had attacked once during the journey. They learned this through a letter left at an inn along the way.

Fortunately, it was written that there was no major damage, but I was still worried because I couldn't know the details from just that. I didn't know exactly what they meant by "no major damage."

'It couldn't have resulted in any casualties, right?'

While I was pacing around the Sichuan branch, anxious and on edge, I heard a commotion from afar. The main group had finally arrived.

I hurried to the gate and saw familiar faces like Baolinghua and Guo Dashan entering.

However, the problem was that everyone looked utterly exhausted.

'What on earth happened?'

The colleagues entering the Sichuan branch with weary steps all had expressions as if they had failed the promotion exam three times in a row.

I couldn't help but wonder what kind of arduous battle they had gone through to have such expressions.

'Could they have had a tougher fight than I did?'

Of course, this journey wasn't easy for me either. It was a journey where my life had been on the line several times.

But it wasn't so painful that it would make me have such an expression.

What kind of suffering must they have endured to have such expressions?

'...Hmm?'

Upon closer inspection, there was one strange point.

'They don't look like they failed or anything.'

If they had failed, they would probably look like defeated soldiers. They would discard heavy items and flee, getting dirty and losing their swords and flags.

However, they looked like they had completed the journey normally. They all had their swords and the escort flag was intact.

I looked behind to check if the porters were okay and saw the guys from Wujianshan Mountain Club pulling the luggage. I counted to see if anyone had died, but it seemed the number was the same as when they left.

'So, what happened?'

If they didn't fail and no one died, perhaps there was some business issue at the Mu family's manor, but I quickly dismissed that idea.

That kind of thing would be handled by the higher-ups, not causing all the escort members to have such expressions.

'Could they have been poisoned?'

As I was thinking of all the serious situations that could have occurred, I heard a conversation from the back of the group that sounded like a dialogue from Cthulhu.

"Jiajia, we've finally arrived."

"Um, yes. Xianmei."

I momentarily doubted my ears. One voice was Senior Zu Junping's, and the other was Tang Xian's.

I understood that much, but why "Jiajia"?

'Why is "Jiajia" here? And what is "Xianmei"?'

While I was thinking this, their sweet conversation continued.

"You've worked hard, Jiajia. It must have been tough, right?"

"I'm fine. ...Xianmei, you must have worked the hardest."

Hearing the conversation between Zu Junping and Tang Xian from a distance, I felt a sudden dizziness.

'Could they have been like this for hundreds of miles?'

If so, I could understand why everyone had such expressions.

But no matter what, Senior Zu is a sensible person. The Senior I know wouldn't do such a thing during a sacred escort mission.

Then Tang Xian said in a sweet voice to Zu Junping,

"I... actually feel a bit disappointed. I wanted to spend more time with Jiajia."

"I feel the same. Even a thousand miles felt short when I was with you."

Unfortunately, contrary to my belief, Zu Junping was a person without common sense or decency. If no one was around, he would have kissed her.

Seeing them calmly chatting and holding hands, I couldn't hold it in and ended up vomiting against the wall.

"Ugh!"

I felt a sense of betrayal. I never thought Senior Zu would be such a person.

Struggling to clear my mind, I greeted everyone who had completed the arduous journey.

"You've all worked hard... everyone."

"Thank you. Did you have a good trip, Brother Cheng?"

"I wasn't unscathed, but everyone must have worked harder."

"......"

Baolinghua's face really looked exhausted. It was a face that had a lot to say but couldn't.

'She must have been unable to say anything because they're friends.'

Only today did I understand why distribution is important in the martial world.

***

"You've all worked hard, everyone."

"Yes... it was really tough."

After the other escort members finished organizing their luggage, Baolinghua entered the hall first. I followed her into the hall to report on the Huangjin Xiong Miao escort mission.

Baolinghua, who looked as if she had lost a few years of her life, sat at the table and drank about four cups of tea before finally returning to her usual self.

'She really looks exhausted.'

Indeed, even without Zu Junping and Tang Xian, a month-long long-distance escort mission is no easy task. It's an exhausting job.

Baolinghua sighed and muttered under her breath.

"That sister wasn't like that... ..."

"......"

I didn't know Senior Zu was such a person either.

When a superior is mentally and physically drained, it's best to briefly report the matter. So I handed over the prepared brief report and verbally reported on the Dangqil escort mission.

"......So, I received the message that Huangjin Xiong Miao was handed over to the client today."

"Um... you've all worked hard. I'll formally protest to Nanxing Escort Agency about the attack."

Baolinghua, still looking exhausted, listened to my report and said this. Since she looked so tired, I refilled her fifth cup and asked,

"You must have been very tired."

"The Wudu Gate was tough. If it weren't for Sister Xian, it would have been even harder. But it was tough because of her."

Seeing Baolinghua sigh softly, I became curious about what had happened but decided to hold back. It's a bit much to ask someone who is exhausted to tell a story.

Still, I thought I should mention Wei Zhiyan, so I cautiously brought it up.

"Also... Miss Wei Zhiyan wants to join Baigun Escort Agency."

I briefly explained that Wei Zhiyan wanted to join our Baigun Escort Agency, being careful not to make it sound like a favor. After I finished, Baolinghua smiled and said,

"Really? That's great! I was worried that the Meiyang branch might be short-staffed because Brother Zu said he would stay in the Sichuan branch."

"Really? Senior Zu?"

This was a bit surprising, but thinking back to how he looked when he returned, it made sense.

'Long-distance relationships never work.'

My friend Wenshi, who used to say love transcends distance, broke up via email with his girlfriend two months after she went abroad for studies.

How could it be an email, not even a text message? I remember consoling my friend who was crying, saying it should have been done via Discord. To me, long-distance relationships were impossible.

Baolinghua nodded and said,

"Yes, he said he would stay in the Sichuan branch. Since the Sichuan branch's escort force isn't very strong, it's a good thing to have an experienced intermediate escort like him stay."

"So that's how it is."

"Anyway, it's a good thing. I'll talk to Lian separately."

Baolinghua's expression brightened, perhaps because it was good news. I was curious about what happened during the escort mission, but I thought I would hear the details later, so I bowed and said,

"Then I'll take my leave......"

"Ah, Brother Cheng, wait a moment. What are these letters?"

Baolinghua, who was about to leave, stopped me and asked about the letters neatly arranged on the desk.

"Those are the letters that came to the Sichuan branch while you were away. I arrived a day early and organized them."

"I see. Thank you for your hard work."

Despite looking tired, Baolinghua started to go through the letters one by one. Seeing her immediately dive into the next task after a month-long mission, I shook my head.

'Seeing this, even high-ranking people have it tough.'

In this era, no letter that comes is trivial. It's an era without spam emails, so every letter must be read carefully and replied to promptly.

Baolinghua, while opening the seal of the topmost letter, said,

"This one is from headquarters."

"Yes, it seemed important, so I put it on top."

"Is that so? Let's see......"

After reading the letter for a while, Baolinghua looked up and smiled at me.

"This is about the intermediate escort appointment ceremony for Brother Cheng and Brother Guo. The proposal I sent before the mission was approved."

"Ah! Then......"

I recalled that Baolinghua had promised me an intermediate escort position before the mission. My heart raced. Seeing my excitement, Baolinghua smiled brightly and said,

"Yes, congratulations. You're now an intermediate escort."

"Thank you, Chief Baolinghua!"

I bowed deeply to express my gratitude.

Actually, it's quite rare for a new recruit who hasn't even been with the escort agency for a year to become an intermediate escort.

In Guo Dashan's case, he was a skilled martial artist and had been promised a quick promotion when he joined the agency, but I didn't have such an advantage. I earned this position through my achievements.

'Of course, even with my achievements, it would have been difficult without Baolinghua's strong recommendation to headquarters.'

Thinking about it, being involved with Baolinghua from the beginning was a stroke of luck. New recruits often don't get proper recognition for their achievements.

Some superiors take credit for their subordinates' achievements, and many times, it's just seen as beginner's luck. Also, if the superior lacks influence, the subordinate's achievements may not be properly recognized.

However, Baolinghua didn't covet my achievements, evaluated them accurately, and had the influence to affect headquarters.

'In that sense, meeting Baolinghua was my greatest fortune.'

As I expressed my gratitude, Baolinghua, still smiling, said,

"Don't mention it. The appointment ceremony is next week."

"Understood."

After bowing to Baolinghua, who still looked tired, I left the hall. Although I heard it from Baolinghua, becoming an intermediate escort still didn't feel real.

'I'm an intermediate escort now.'

I felt the hardships of the past flash through my mind.

Thinking about the preparations I needed to make, I was pondering what to do when Guo Dashan, looking exhausted and hunched, approached me.

"What are you smiling about all alone?"

"Ah, Brother Guo! You've worked hard on the mission."

"It was really tough. I almost wanted to quit the agency."

I quietly patted his shoulder, knowing he must have had a tough time, especially him.

"Hang in there. By the way, Chief Baolinghua told me that we're both becoming intermediate escorts next week."

"Ah, I heard about that on the way here. Next week... so I'm becoming an intermediate escort too."

Guo Dashan seemed indifferent, unlike me.

'Well, he's a skilled martial artist.'

Considering he had also achieved a lot on the way to Sichuan, his promotion was expected, so he didn't seem as excited as I was.

After a while, Guo Dashan asked me,

"So, what's good about being an intermediate escort?"

"Um, first, the salary increases."

"That's great. What else?"

"You can lead small-scale escort missions."

Intermediate escorts can lead small groups of about five people on small-scale escort missions. They can also receive a portion of the profits as a bonus.

Of course, they need to consult with the branch chief and there are distance limits and other procedures, but they can lead a small-scale mission.

Guo Dashan frowned after hearing my explanation.

"That sounds like a hassle."

"Still, you need that experience to become a head escort and eventually a branch chief, right?"

But Guo Dashan shook his head.

"I don't really think about that. I'm content being an intermediate escort."

"Hmm... you're that type, huh."

"Frankly, being a head escort sounds like a hassle. There's a lot to worry about."

Indeed, I could understand Guo Dashan's feelings. Being a head escort isn't always better. For example, the head escort of the Meiyang branch, Brother Jiang, never left work early and had to take responsibility if a mission failed.

'Not all management positions are good.'

That's why many people just stick to being regular escorts. Sometimes, staying in the field is more comfortable.

"Brother Guo, since the mission is over, how about we have a drink together?"

"Ah, that sounds good!"

Guo Dashan, who had looked like he was about to die a moment ago, perked up at the mention of drinking and patted my back.

A few days later,

The day of the appointment ceremony finally arrived.