Chapter 67: Entering the City

As the carriage started moving again, two people got on. One was a young man in brocade clothing, holding a folding fan, looking very suave. The other was a plump young man with small, lively eyes. Clearly, they did not know each other and each found a seat.

It seemed that like attracts like. After the carriage had traveled a short distance, the young scholar Li Jinfeng and the brocade-clad young man began chatting animatedly. The others around them learned that the brocade-clad young man was surnamed Shangguan, with the given name Yun, and he was from Xuzhen. However, they were not close friends, so he did not reveal why he was going to Pingyang City. Shangguan Yun seemed rather arrogant, only talking to Li Jinfeng and ignoring Zhang Xiaohua and the others. Sometimes, when he saw Zhang Xiaohua, he would frown. Zhang Xiaohu might have been lost in thought and did not notice, but Zhang Xiaohua saw it clearly and found it strange. He even looked down at his own clothes and his brother's, but there was nothing wrong with them; they were new clothes made by their mother before they left. This left Zhang Xiaohua puzzled.

In fact, Zhang Xiaohua did not understand that his and Zhang Xiaohu's clothing and manners revealed that they were from the countryside, and it was probably their first time traveling far from home. The others, though from ordinary families, did not show their disdain outwardly. Li Jinfeng, being a scholar, valued composure and would not let his feelings show. Shangguan Yun, on the other hand, came from a wealthy family. Although he was not a playboy, the servants in his household were better dressed and behaved than Zhang Xiaohua and his brother. This time, he did not use his own carriage but chose a public one to gain some experience. Upon getting in, he saw two obviously country bumpkins sitting in front of him, which naturally made him impatient, though not out of malice. This left Zhang Xiaohua utterly confused.

The plump young man sitting next to him noticed Shangguan Yun's expression and glanced at Zhang Xiaohua, pursing his lips and squinting his eyes, though it was unclear who he was showing this to. However, from the way he tried to join the conversation with Shangguan Yun, it seemed he was mostly showing it to Zhang Xiaohua.

After chatting for a while, Shangguan Yun suddenly asked, "Brother Li, you have studied literature in Pingyang City for a long time. Have you heard of the Lotus Escort Agency?"

Li Jinfeng was taken aback and said, "Of course, almost everyone in Pingyang City knows about it. It is located in the west of the city, covering a large area, and is said to be very influential, with many branches in the Yu Kingdom. Brother Shangguan, why do you suddenly mention the Lotus Escort Agency? Do you have business with them?"

At this moment, the plump young man finally found a chance to speak. He bowed and said, "May I ask if you, Young Master Shangguan, are also going to the Lotus Escort Agency for an examination?"

Shangguan Yun looked at the plump young man in surprise and asked, "May I ask if you are also going there?"

The plump young man replied, "I am Yu Lun, and I am indeed heading to the Lotus Escort Agency."

Shangguan Yun smiled and said, "I didn't expect to find a fellow traveler here. I apologize for not recognizing you earlier. However, I wonder if Brother Yu has been to the Lotus Escort Agency before?"

Yu Lun said, "I have been to Pingyang City, but I was too busy playing to visit it. Now, I've heard they are recruiting, so I'm going to try my luck and see if I can be chosen. However, seeing your good family background, Brother Shangguan, why are you going to the escort agency?"

Shangguan Yun smiled bitterly and said, "I ran away secretly. My family forced me to study literature, but I get a headache just looking at books. A few days ago, I heard one of my guards mention the Lotus Escort Agency, and it sounded good, so I decided to try it out. I have been practicing martial arts since I was young, so I don't think there will be any problem. Once I learn real skills, I won't have to look at my father's face and listen to his lectures every day."

After saying this, he seemed to realize he had said too much and quickly added to Li Jinfeng, "Brother Li, I'm not saying anything about scholars. I just have no interest in reading. Please don't take it personally."

Li Jinfeng smiled and said, "I won't. Everyone has their own aspirations."

However, he inwardly thought, "A bunch of rash martial artists."

At this moment, Zhang Xiaohua timidly asked, "May I ask if the Lotus Escort Agency has any connection with the Lotus Escort Agency in Luzhen?"

Shangguan Yun looked at him but did not speak. Yu Lun said, "This young brother must be from Luzhen. The Lotus Escort Agency is a large agency with branches in many places, including Luzhen."

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and said, "Oh, I see. I have another question."

Yu Lun smiled and said, "Feel free to ask. I will tell you what I know."

The plump young man's puffed cheeks showed a condescending attitude. Zhang Xiaohua asked, "What does an escort agency do?"

With a "thud," Yu Lun fell back in the carriage, his head hitting the roof.

Li Jinfeng and Shangguan Yun also gaped in surprise at Zhang Xiaohua, who was puzzled. "What's wrong? You don't know what an escort agency does either, right?"

At this moment, the guard spoke up, "This is your first time traveling, isn't it?"

Zhang Xiaohua nodded. The guard said, "An escort agency is a group of martial artists who protect people's valuables or ensure their safety."

Zhang Xiaohua nodded, understanding somewhat, but thought to himself, "Master Lu said if we have any problems, we should take the token to the Lotus Escort Agency in Luzhen. The Lotus Escort Agency must have some connection with the Piaomiao Sect."

Zhang Xiaohu, who had been watching Zhang Xiaohua ask these questions, blushed. He did not understand these things either but was too embarrassed to ask. Zhang Xiaohua's questions gave him a chance to listen.

At this moment, Yu Lun sat up, and Shangguan Yun and Li Jinfeng closed their mouths. However, Zhang Xiaohua asked again, "Are you, Brother Shangguan and Brother Yu, going to the escort agency to be guards?"

The three of them were taken aback again.

Yu Lun laughed and said, "Young brother, the Lotus Escort Agency not only provides protection but also teaches martial arts. We are going there to learn martial arts."

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu's eyes lit up. They looked at each other and made a decision. Zhang Xiaohua asked, "Brother Yu, how does the Lotus Escort Agency select people?"

Yu Lun said, "It's mainly about strength, martial arts, and weapons. I'm not sure about the details, but you'll find out when you get there."

Zhang Xiaohu listened carefully and remembered it.

Shangguan Yun, who was already impatient, said, "Why so many questions? Are you planning to join?"

Yu Lun said, "You're too young, so they probably won't accept you. Your brother, however, can try."

Zhang Xiaohu said, "Really?"

Yu Lun blinked and said, "Yes, you'll be fine."

Zhang Xiaohu was happy and asked, "Can you take me with you tomorrow? We don't know the way."

Yu Lun smiled and said, "Of course, we'll go together."

Then, Yu Lun and the others began talking about local customs and culture. Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua could not join the conversation and happily watched outside, imagining the bright future ahead. Unfortunately, they did not notice the disdain in Shangguan Yun's eyes or the mockery in Yu Lun's. Only the guard saw this, but he knew they were first-time travelers and would inevitably face setbacks, so he did not warn them.

The carriage arrived in Pingyang City at night. The Zhang brothers, who had wanted to see the city, were discouraged by the dark night. They could only see the massive city gate, which looked like a monster's mouth swallowing the carriage, and the lanterns in front of the large houses swaying in the wind.

The carriage traveled a long distance into the city before stopping at a quiet place. Everyone got off, and sure enough, there was another "Rapid Carriage" sign, indicating it was the Pingyang City branch. It was already late, and the carriage staff led everyone into the inn. They ate a quick meal and went to rest. The Zhang brothers naturally shared a dormitory, while Zhang Xiaohua did not know where Yu Lun and the others were staying. He had wanted to remind them about going to the Lotus Escort Agency the next day, but seeing their tired faces, he opened his mouth but did not speak.

The dormitory at the Pingyang City carriage station was cleaner than in other places, and there were not many people. The Zhang brothers were exhausted and eager to sleep. Zhang Xiaohua fell asleep as soon as he hit the bed, while Zhang Xiaohu carefully placed his bag under his pillow before falling asleep.

The next morning, the two woke up early, had breakfast, and waited for Yu Lun and the others at the entrance. However, they waited and waited, and no one came. They became anxious and went inside to inquire. They learned that after Young Master Shangguan had checked in, he felt uncomfortable and had left with Yu Lun and Li Jinfeng to find another inn. The scholar Li Jinfeng's promises and Yu Lun's assurances were now just empty words. The two brothers looked at each other in dismay. How could people be so unreliable?

The two brothers discussed whether to go to the Piaomiao Sect or the Lotus Escort Agency. In the end, they decided to follow Zhang Xiaohu's suggestion and go to the Piaomiao Sect. However, where was the Piaomiao Sect? They asked the carriage station staff, who were helpful. The Piaomiao Sect was well-known, and they easily found out that it was located in the Piaomiao Manor, ten miles east of Pingyang City.

The carriage station was in the northwest corner of Pingyang City, and they needed to cross the city and leave through the east gate. After asking for directions, they left the carriage station.

The carriage station was in a remote area of the northwest corner of Pingyang City. Although the sun was already high, there were not many people around. After the two brothers walked for a while, they passed through an alley and turned a corner. They both stopped involuntarily. Zhang Xiaohu, looking at the scene before him, asked Zhang Xiaohua, "Brother, is it New Year's again?"

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