Chapter 76

From early morning, all the branch heads and deputy branch heads gathered at the Qingyun Hall. This was because Yuxinyun had urgently summoned everyone.

Soon after the meeting began, there was only one empty seat.

"Is Dao Branch Head's condition any better?"

When Yuxinyun asked Nodaewoong, a worried look appeared on everyone's faces.

Due to the injuries sustained from Qing Shui Daozhang, Dao Jinwoo was still lying in the infirmary. Everyone was anxious, wondering if he would never get up or if he would suffer from severe aftereffects even if he did.

However, contrary to expectations, Nodaewoong's voice was quite cheerful.

"I just came from the infirmary. To cut to the chase, there's no need to worry too much. The doctor said that only minor skin injuries remain, and there are no internal injuries. He said this is the first time he's seen such a miraculous recovery in his career."

Nodaewoong's words brought a smile to everyone's face.

Indeed, in martial artists' fights, internal injuries are always left behind, and recovering from them is extremely difficult. Moreover, Dao Jinwoo had received countless attacks from Qing Shui Daozhang, almost as if he were being toyed with, which made everyone's worries even greater.

'Fortunately, it seems the effect is working properly.'

Of course, this was all because Yuxinyun had cast the recovery skill, Huobai Xi Yuan, on Dao Jinwoo.

As the atmosphere slightly relaxed, Nogunho cautiously asked Yuxinyun:

"By the way, you called us here so urgently today... Is something wrong?"

Recently, so many things had happened all at once, and the faces of the branch heads were filled with worry and concern.

Thud.

Suddenly, Yuxinyun silently placed a large piece of paper on the table in the meeting room.

Everyone's gaze immediately turned to the paper.

"…!"

"This, this is!"

Soon, those who read the content on the paper were shocked. No matter how many times they checked, the content was unbelievable.

'No wonder they're shocked.'

Seeing everyone's eyes sparkle as if they had found a treasure, Yuxinyun finally spoke.

"This is a notice posted by the Tixing Anchashi (Inspectorate of Judicial and Administrative Affairs) in Hangzhou this morning."

The Tixing Anchashi was the institution responsible for all judicial and inspection matters in Zhejiang Province.

The content of the notice was as follows:

[Official Notice]

Recently, the workload of the Tixing Anchashi has been extremely heavy. With the authority granted by the Emperor, we are providing the opportunity for the escort agencies in Zhejiang to carry out the orders of the Emperor of Daliang.

Any escort agency in Zhejiang that meets the conditions listed below is eligible to apply.

Those interested should submit their application by the deadline.

After review, the agencies that meet the conditions will be selected as the leaders of the escort missions through a fair test.

This official notice includes three escort missions. The detailed content and fees of each mission will only be disclosed to those who pass the review.

Signed, Inspector of Zhejiang, Jiang Weizhao.

The notice announced that the opportunity to apply for the official escort missions, which were entrusted by the state, was open to everyone.

When successful, the official escort missions would bring enormous regular profits, making them the best missions for any escort agency.

"Is this real?"

"…This is really unbelievable."

However, people found it hard to believe, even though the seal of the Inspectorate, which would result in severe punishment if forged, was clearly stamped.

There was a reason for this.

Nodaewoong, with a puzzled look, asked Yuxinyun:

"…Lord, how could the Nine Dragons Hall allow this?"

Indeed, until now, all the official escort missions in Zhejiang Province had been monopolized by the Nine Dragons Hall. The largest force controlling Zhejiang Province would never hand over such a valuable opportunity to another force.

"I see."

Yuxinyun only smiled subtly.

He acted as if he didn't know the reason, but of course, Yuxinyun had predicted that the official escort missions would proceed this way.

'Through this method, Baiyun Escort Agency would firmly establish itself as the largest escort agency in Zhejiang Province.'

This was thanks to the memories from the Shengjiang period.

By taking over the official escort missions from the Nine Dragons Hall, Baiyun Escort Agency would gain recognition as the representative escort agency of Zhejiang Province, both symbolically and practically.

The Nine Dragons Hall had deliberately given up the official escort missions to make Huangluo Escort Agency the leading agency.

However, everyone, unaware of this fact, looked as if they had found their last hope.

If they could secure even one of the three official escort missions, Baiyun Escort Agency could erase all the humiliation they had suffered so far.

But that hope was short-lived.

"Ah!"

"This is…."

Those who read the application conditions at the bottom of the notice let out deep sighs.

- Deadline: One month from today.

- Application Conditions:

1. Reserve budget of the escort agency: 3,000 taels of gold or more.

2. Martial arts level of the guards: At least two guards at the peak level.

The reserve budget and the martial arts level of the guards. They couldn't meet either of these conditions.

'…3,000 taels of gold…'

'…We don't have that much gold in our agency.'

Except for Huangluo Escort Agency and a few top agencies in Zhejiang Province, it was impossible to meet these conditions.

Unbeknownst to them, these conditions were set by the Nine Dragons Hall and Huangluo Escort Agency to completely exclude Baiyun Escort Agency from the application.

At that moment, Nodaewoong, with a particularly bitter expression, said to Yuxinyun:

"Phew! Lord, the official escort missions are indeed a good opportunity for us to turn the tide. Unfortunately, we currently don't meet any of the application conditions."

The atmosphere in the room rapidly turned gloomy.

Then, Yuxinyun gave a subtle response.

"That's true, but only for now."

"…What?"

As Nodaewoong was taken aback, Yuxinyun continued:

"Fortunately, they've given us a month. That's enough time to solve all the problems."

Nodaewoong, unable to grasp Yuxinyun's intentions, just stared at him, blinking.

He had vowed to stop doubting his master every day, but this time, doubt crept in again.

But what could he do?

Isn't that right?

How could they possibly, in just one month:

- Earn 3,000 taels of gold, equivalent to 300,000 taels of silver?

- Hire two peak-level martial artists, which would also require a huge amount of money?

Thud. Swish.

At that moment, Yuxinyun slowly drew his sword and began to infuse it with his inner energy.

Whoosh! Swish!

Soon, a clear and tangible aura began to emanate from his sword.

"…!"

"Lord! You can't be serious!"

Despite the doubts when Yuxinyun had overpowered Qing Shui Daozhang, the peak-level martial artists Nodaewoong and Nogunho finally recognized Yuxinyun's level upon seeing the perfect form of his sword technique.

"With this, we only need one more peak-level martial artist."

Yuxinyun's words left everyone with their mouths agape.

However, Yuxinyun paid no attention to their reactions.

'One month, I'll make you regret giving me this much time.'

He only recalled the methods he had decided to use to enhance the martial arts level of Baiyun Escort Agency's guards.

At that moment:

A loud voice echoed from outside the Qingyun Hall.

"Zhu Tai, reporting back after completing all the escort missions as ordered by Lord."

Zhu Tai, whom Yuxinyun had sent on an escort mission, was reporting back.

Wang San rushed to open the door, and behind Zhu Tai, Zhu Daili and Hong Lian stood with excited expressions.

"Everyone looks so bright. Well done."

"…I will report the results and then leave."

As Yuxinyun nodded, Zhu Tai slowly approached him.

Unlike when he left, his eyes were filled with boundless respect.

Zhu Tai took out a bill from his pocket and placed it on the table.

The branch heads and deputy branch heads, initially puzzled, soon turned their attention to the bill.

And then:

"Wh-what!"

"Father, why… cough!"

Nodaewoong and Nogunho, along with many others, were left speechless.

"It seems we've solved the other problem just in time."

Yuxinyun smiled with satisfaction.

Part 2

Going back to when Yuxinyun arrived at the Manxiang Cave.

Zhu Tai, along with Zhu Daili and Hong Lian, led the escort team to Nanchang in Jiangxi Province.

Nanchang was already filled with numerous large merchant groups from all over the country, all grain merchants.

Nanchang, located in the fertile Jiangxi Basin, was a major rice market.

However, as soon as Baiyun Escort Agency entered Jiangxi Province, they attracted the attention of many grain merchants.

There was one reason for this.

'Why did they bring so many large carts?'

'From the looks of it, they're empty. Could they be here to buy rice?'

Baiyun Escort Agency had brought a staggering 40 large carts.

- Wang San.

- Yes, Lord.

- Have 'they' all arrived?

- Yes, they have all arrived and are temporarily parked in front of the agency.

After hearing the conversation between Yuxinyun and Wang San, Zhu Tai went outside and saw the carts parked in front of the agency.

- And when they arrive, read this letter and follow the instructions written inside.

After arriving in Nanchang and settling into their lodging, Zhu Tai took out the letter Yuxinyun had given him. It contained a detailed list of actions he needed to take, numbered in order.

The next day, as soon as dawn broke, he carried out the first instruction.

- First, inform all the grain merchants in Nanchang that you are willing to sell the carts.

"Huh? Selling carts? Why would we buy them?"

"Haha! Let's hear the price."

"How much?"

"Are you all collectively insane?"

The reactions were all the same.

Every single merchant laughed at him and refused, and after hearing the price, they often cursed him to his face.

Zhu Tai understood their reactions.

'If I were in their shoes, I would have done the same.'

The carts were sturdy and large, but selling them for 5 taels of gold, when they had been bought for 1 tael, was absurd. The price Yuxinyun had set in the letter was ridiculously high.

Moreover, the grain merchants didn't need carts.

The grain merchants, who were collecting rice, were not moving by land.

They were loading the rice onto ships on Poyang Lake and then traveling up the Gan River to the Yangtze River.

Thus, the grain merchants in Nanchang began to mock and ridicule Baiyun Escort Agency openly in the inns.

Selling necessary items to those who needed them was the basic principle of trade, but they called the owner a foolish and incompetent person.

Additionally, Yuxinyun's other instructions were incomprehensible. Despite the numerous doubts in his mind, Zhu Tai faithfully carried out Yuxinyun's second instruction.

- Second, after arriving, stand in front of Dangwang Pavilion every day at noon.

- If you see an old beggar being slapped, return to your lodging and lock the door for three days, seeing no one.

He went to Dangwang Pavilion every day without fail.

And finally:

Smack!

"That old beggar, who do you think you're looking at!"

He saw the daughter of the leader of the largest grain merchant group slap an old beggar.

Zhu Tai immediately returned to his lodging and locked the door for three days.

During those three days:

"Why won't you see us!"

"We want to buy all the carts!"

"No, we came first, why are you cutting in line!"

"Five times! We'll pay five times!"

Numerous leaders of grain merchant groups came in a hurry, banging on the door, desperate to buy the carts.