Chapter 54

One

"It's so peaceful."

Zhegalun said in a low voice.

"......"

Dang Haling, who was sitting side by side in one corner of the training ground, did not respond at all.

It wasn't that she hadn't heard the words of the new guards of the Black Cloud Pavilion, who were shouting as they trained in a group.

She was just pretending not to hear and trying to ignore it.

However, Zhegalun was not only oblivious but also needlessly persistent.

He spoke again, putting more emphasis on his voice.

"Miss Dang, isn't it too peaceful for a den of evil?"

Dang Haling's eyebrows twitched at Zhegalun's words.

She didn't want to admit it, but even to her, the atmosphere of the White Cloud Escort Agency seemed too peaceful.

It had been several days since they had infiltrated the White Cloud Escort Agency.

During this time, her belief that You Xinyun was the villain behind the missing person cases had wavered slightly.

She had started a thorough investigation after entering, but found nothing out of the ordinary.

When she subtly asked the maids and servants about You Xinyun, she always received praise.

While he could be frightening, it was only to his enemies; to them, he was infinitely kind.

Their words and actions were filled with genuine sincerity, and the peaceful atmosphere of the White Cloud Escort Agency, which she had experienced firsthand, made her head spin.

'...No, I shouldn't jump to conclusions. I've seen so many despicable hypocrites before. Perhaps they are also being deceived.'

She quickly organized her thoughts and shot back at Zhegalun.

"We've only questioned the members of the escort agency so far. We need to be more suspicious and thorough in our investigation. ...But will you really pull yourself together? Use the aliases."

As Dang Haling's voice turned cold, Zhegalun looked bewildered and spoke.

"Ah! I made a mistake again. I understand, Miss Ailing."

They couldn't use their striking names, Dang Haling and Zhegalun, so they had used aliases since the entrance exam.

Dang Haling was now Cai Ailing, and Zhegalun was Sima Jun.

However, Dang Haling still found Zhegalun's alias distasteful.

-Why did you choose the Sima surname?

-Haha, isn't it fun? When else would I get to use the surname of a rival family?

-...

When creating aliases, they usually used common names to avoid unnecessary attention or suspicion.

But Zhegalun used the surname of the Sima family, known as the Zhega family of the evil sect.

The Sima surname was rare, so it could cause unnecessary misunderstandings, and she truly found him incomprehensible.

Shaking her head, she turned her gaze away from Zhegalun and looked around the training ground again.

The guards of the Black Cloud Pavilion were still sweating as they trained.

After a moment of silence, Zhegalun, who had been watching her, spoke softly.

"Although they haven't started teaching martial arts yet, the training is quite systematic. The guards in charge of training are really doing their best."

Dang Haling nodded silently, as she had noticed the same.

Experienced guards were personally teaching the new guards, one by one.

Compared to other escort agencies, where members maintained a strictly personal and professional relationship, the difference was stark.

It seemed that a family-like atmosphere was the foundation.

'Just by the atmosphere, it already feels like a family.'

While the scale and strength were embarrassing to compare, the members' unity and focus on the White Cloud Escort Agency gave that impression.

At that moment, Zhegalun smacked his lips and spoke.

"Hmm, but why aren't we given any training?"

As he said, the guards of the Righteous Cloud Pavilion were excluded from the training.

From the beginning, no experienced senior guards were assigned to the Righteous Cloud Pavilion.

When they asked a senior guard from another pavilion, he only showed a troubled expression, saying that the training of the Righteous Cloud Pavilion was to be handled by the lord, and he didn't know the details.

Neither of them wanted training from You Xinyun.

In fact, it would be absurd for You Xinyun to teach them martial arts, given their hidden superior skills.

'...If this is the case, why did they even select the Righteous Cloud Pavilion? I can't understand their actions.'

They could only feel puzzled by this neglect.

However, You Xinyun, as if with a stubborn streak, continued to wander outside.

Today, after the morning meeting, he had ridden off to some unknown place again.

"You two, what are you talking about so interestingly?"

At that moment, someone spoke from behind them.

They turned their heads to see an old man standing there, leaning on a cane.

The old man was also a new guard of the Righteous Cloud Pavilion. What was unusual was that his eyes were covered by a folded headband.

Indeed, the old man was blind.

As they pondered what to do, the old man smiled and joked.

"Hehe, did this old man rudely interrupt a lovers' conversation?"

"They are not lovers!"

At the word "lovers," Dang Haling shouted in denial.

Zhegalun muttered, wondering why she had to deny it so harshly.

Ignoring his words, Dang Haling spoke in a completely different, friendly tone.

"I'm sorry. I shouted because it was such an absurd story. Um, you said to call you Old Huang, right?"

"Hehe, that's right. You remember. You must be Sima Jun and Cai Ailing, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"I came out because I was bored staying in the room. Lian said that all the guards of our pavilion are out today."

Lian must be referring to another new guard, Hong Lian.

At that moment, Old Huang turned and handed something to them.

A tray with teacups was placed on it.

"Here, take these cups first."

"What is this?"

"It's not mine. Lian prepared them in advance, saying that everyone must have sweated a lot from training."

She turned her gaze to the back and saw Hong Lian giving the same tea to the one-armed warrior Zhou Tai, who was training alone in a secluded corner.

"Tsk, after hearing that one of the Righteous Cloud Pavilion passed the treasure selection, he seems to think it's definitely him. Since then, he's been trying to do all the dirty work, which is really heartbreaking."

"......!"

The word "treasure selection" made Dang Haling's face turn red. She was the one who had passed the treasure selection.

Zhegalun, standing beside her, was biting his lip, trying hard not to laugh.

"......Thank you. I'll drink it well."

"Hehe, thank Lian later. I just brought them out."

"Yes, I understand."

"Alright, now. Only Ma Le and Zhu Duori are left."

Dang Haling immediately looked for the two people. Their uniqueness made it easy to find them quickly.

Ma Le and Zhu Duori were a Kunlun elder and a blue-eyed, blond foreigner, respectively.

The two were practicing swordsmanship on one side.

"Hey, take it easy! Are you trying to kill me?"

"Ma Le, I don't know what 'take it easy' means! Zhu Duori, dodge on your own!"

"Ugh!"

In reality, it was more like Ma Le was relentlessly attacking, and Zhu Duori was running away.

It was inevitable.

Ma Le was over six feet tall (about 197 cm) with enormous muscles, while Zhu Duori was only five feet six inches (about 166 cm) with a small build.

'Hmm, I might get involved in their practice and get hurt if I go there.'

"Old Huang, those cups are......"

Dang Haling was worried that Old Huang might get hurt and was about to ask for the tray of teacups.

But at that moment,

"I'll hand them over."

Another voice came from behind.

However, this time the voice was familiar.

She turned her head to see You Xinyun finally revealing himself.

Two

A short while later, You Xinyun gathered all the members of the Righteous Cloud Pavilion in the meeting room.

However, the room was not crowded.

There were only seven guards in the Righteous Cloud Pavilion.

The recruitment notice had stated that 20 would be selected, but You Xinyun had ruthlessly eliminated those who did not meet his standards, leaving only these seven.

Everyone was seated, speaking sparingly, with clear signs of tension.

The silence in the room was broken by You Xinyun.

"First, let me apologize. I'm sorry, I couldn't come to see you because I had urgent matters."

After finishing his words, You Xinyun bowed his head.

Dang Haling and Zhegalun, along with all the other members of the Righteous Cloud Pavilion, were surprised.

It was the first time they had seen a superior sincerely apologize to subordinates.

"Oh, you have a lot of work to do. It's understandable."

"Don't apologize. There's no need to say that."

'Hmm?'

'Huh?'

At the same time, Zhu Duori and Zhegalun, who were blowing bubbles, met each other's eyes in the air.

'What, look at that guy?'

'...That guy is quite good at playing, isn't he?'

The two seemed to have met their match and subtly challenged each other.

"Then it's fortunate. Now, let's get straight to the point. I've secured our first escort mission."

First escort mission?

You Xinyun casually announced a significant fact.

"......We haven't received any training yet, though?"

Zhegalun, bewildered, spoke up.

However, You Xinyun's attitude was very firm.

"No, it's enough now. We'll learn the details through practical experience."

"Ooh! Ma Le, I love practical experience."

Except for Ma Le, who was excited, everyone else was clearly bewildered.

They hadn't imagined that their first escort mission would come so suddenly.

"Then I'll explain the details of the mission now."

Instantly, the room fell silent.

Tension began to fill the room.

What would their first escort mission be?

"This mission is from the Tian'en Money House."

"The Tian'en Money House?"

Dang Haling, genuinely surprised, repeated the name.

The Tian'en Money House was the largest money house in the Central Plains, with branches all over the country, both north and south of the Yangtze River.

A mission from such a prestigious institution would certainly involve a significant reward and be a major task.

To entrust such a mission to the Righteous Cloud Pavilion, which was a ragtag group, was unexpected.

Moreover, as far as she knew, the Tian'en Money House had no connection with the White Cloud Escort Agency.

The Tian'en Money House was known for its pride and would only deal with the best in the industry.

Dang Haling's mind was filled with questions, but You Xinyun continued.

"The client is Ji Junping, the former head of the Tian'en Money House."

Tian'en Money House, Ji Junping.

The pieces fell into place.

She recalled the major incident that had shaken the entire martial world five years ago.

Dang Haling, with a hint of doubt, asked You Xinyun.

"......Could you be talking about the Tianmu Mountain mission?"

"Yes."

You Xinyun nodded.

Martial World Family, Reincarnation Topper