Chapter 359: Leaving the City

The scholar spoke: “Chief Escort Lu, I must trouble you with this matter. However, this is only a temporary measure, it will be lifted in just a few days. Any losses your escort agency suffers will be fully compensated by us.”

Chief Escort Lu cupped his fists and replied: “Master Zhou, you are too polite. Elder Xi of your sect once saved my life. If I were to refuse such a small favor, wouldn’t that make me less than a beast? There’s no need to mention compensation ever again.”

Master Zhou, however, was unconvinced and said: “Chief Lu, that’s where you’re mistaken. Personal ties are one thing, but business is business. We are already grateful that you’re willing to help us for Elder Xi’s sake. However, the delay to your agency’s business is an official matter; we cannot let personal feelings override public affairs. Besides, this is also our Sect Leader’s intention. Please, do not decline any further. Otherwise, I would have no way to explain myself to Elder Xi when I return. Surely, we can’t let Elder Xi mock me for taking advantage of others on his account, can we?”

“Hahaha!” Chief Lu laughed heartily. “If that’s the case, then I shall not refuse. Many thanks to your Sect Leader for his generosity.”

Master Zhou also laughed. “Likewise, likewise. We must also thank Chief Lu for your great support.”

The two continued to chat over tea for a while. Then Chief Lu asked: “Master Zhou, it’s already the fourth day, yet I still haven’t seen the people or items you mentioned. I suppose they are no longer in Danhe City?”

“Hmm, perhaps. Some brothers have already gone after them along the road, but there’s been no word so far. Hall Leader Qiu returned to the sect yesterday to report and to check the situation along the way. Nine times out of ten, they’ve already been spirited away by their experts.”

Chief Lu asked with interest: “Master Zhou, what exactly is it that you’re searching for? Who are these people? Could you perhaps give me a hint?”

Master Zhou smiled: “That’s not like you, Chief Lu. You haven’t asked me for three days, so why bring it up now? Are you trying to put me in a difficult spot?”

Chief Lu chuckled: “Isn’t it human nature to be curious?”

“Sigh, curiosity killed the cat, Chief Lu. Some things are better left unknown. It’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but if I did, it could really bring you harm.”

“Ah?” Chief Escort Lu was taken aback and quickly said: “Then it’s best that you don’t tell me, Master Zhou.”

After that, they changed the subject and talked about other things. Zhang Xiaohua, finding the conversation uninteresting, was about to leave when he heard Chief Lu ask again: “How is Elder Xi doing in your sect? I haven’t seen him in years. How did he come to join your sect? By the way, your sect’s reputation seems rather modest. I’ve spent most of my life in the martial world, so how come I’ve never…”

“Why have you never heard of our sect before?”

Chief Escort Lu chuckled: “Indeed, I truly haven’t heard of it. But for Elder Xi to join your sect, it must be a great and renowned one, right?”

“Renowned?” Master Zhou sneered: “How could those so-called orthodox sects compare to us? I don’t mind telling you, if not for Elder Xi’s personal friendship with our Sect Leader, with his skills alone, he might not even have secured the lowest elder position in our sect!”

“What!?” Chief Lu was utterly shocked. He had always thought his savior, Elder Xi, held significant authority in this sect, which was why he had sometimes acted a bit carelessly in front of Master Zhou these past few days. Now, realizing that his supposed backer might not be valued at all, his expression immediately grew much more respectful.

“Then your sect…” Chief Lu seemed about to ask more, and outside, Zhang Xiaohua also perked up his ears, eager to learn what kind of formidable sect this was.

Just then, a flurry of hurried footsteps sounded from outside. Zhang Xiaohua quickly shrank back, listening as someone rushed in, first saluting Chief Lu with cupped fists before leaning in to whisper urgently to Master Zhou.

Master Zhou’s face changed dramatically. He shot to his feet and cried out in disbelief: “What did you say? Hall Leader Qiu and his group of five were killed outside the east gate!?”

Master Zhou’s composure was actually worse than the messenger’s!

Seeing this, Chief Lu couldn’t help but look down on him a little. How could such a flustered scholar be fit to lead?

However, Chief Lu was underestimating him. Neither he nor the messenger knew the true extent of Hall Leader Qiu’s martial prowess. Even if they knew he was skilled, they could not fathom just how formidable he truly was. Master Zhou, on the other hand, knew everything. Hall Leader Qiu was a trusted subordinate secretly cultivated by their Sect Leader. His martial prowess was extraordinary, even if he hadn’t yet made a name for himself in the martial world. If he ever did, he would surely stir up a storm, his fame no less than the current vice leaders of the Heaven’s Way Alliance.

Such a formidable figure, yet he was killed just outside the east gate of Danhe City, his right shoulder and chest smashed to a pulp, dead beyond any hope of saving. All five of them died in exactly the same way, not a single one escaped, and even their five horses were kicked to death. This was something Master Zhou could never have imagined, not even in his wildest dreams. Just where did Spring Rebirth Valley find such a terrifying expert? Upon hearing such shocking news, how could he possibly remain calm? Whatever composure he had was instantly thrown out the window.

Master Zhou didn’t bother to look at the astonished faces of the others. Smacking his forehead, he exclaimed: “Aiyah, I’ve fallen for their diversion! Chief Lu, I must go in person. Farewell, farewell!”

He then turned to the messenger and ordered: “You, quickly notify our brothers in the city to arm themselves and gather outside the east gate. Release carrier pigeons to inform the brothers heading south, and have some of them divert here. Tell them the people from Spring Rebirth Valley are hiding in Danhe City and have now doubled back, returning the way they came. Have them hurry to reinforce us. Also, notify the Sect Leader to send more elder-level experts. We’ll attack from both sides and see where they can run!”

With that, he hurried off with the messenger.

Chief Lu followed them out of the private room, muttering as he walked: “How did we end up crossing paths with Spring Rebirth Valley? No wonder they wouldn’t let us escort the goods to Mochou City. Aiyah, I forgot to ask if that blockade order has been lifted yet.”

He shook his head and continued: “Better not lift it for now. When immortals fight, mortals suffer. As long as someone’s covering my losses, why should I worry?”

Zhang Xiaohua, who had been lying on the rooftop, was so angry at these words that he nearly drew his flying sword and cut Chief Lu down on the spot. “Nonsense! You may not be worried, but I am!”

Once Chief Lu left, Zhang Xiaohua floated down from the rooftop, twisted his body, and vanished. Only after earth-burrowing to a secluded spot did he emerge, full of regret. “What a mess! If the escort agency won’t take the job, how am I supposed to get rid of this burden?”

But right now, it wasn’t just a matter of getting rid of the burden. Master Zhou had fallen for his own diversion tactic and had gathered all his men to the main road at the east gate. Thinking of this, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but want to wag his head and tail in delight, his spur-of-the-moment idea had actually been mistaken for a well-thought-out scheme. How could he not feel a sense of pride?

The most important thing now for Nie Qianyu and Little Orange was to leave Danhe City as soon as possible. Of course, the East and South Gates were out of the question; they could only try to leave through the West or North Gates. Besides, from what Master Zhou had just said, the brothers in the city probably included those watching the three city gates. If they didn’t leave now and waited until Master Zhou realized what was happening and sent men to guard the gates, lying in wait, Zhang Xiaohua could certainly kill them all, but wouldn’t that just alert the enemy? How could he do such a crude, unsubtle thing?

With this in mind, Zhang Xiaohua quickly inquired about the location of a carriage shop, found one nearby, and without haggling, bought a medium-sized carriage and a fine horse. Luckily, Nie Qianyu had just given him a small purse, or else our hero Zhang would have had to pay out of his own pocket!

Zhang Xiaohua drove the carriage back to the small courtyard inn. Nie Qianyu and Little Orange were sitting there, looking miserable, but when they saw Zhang Xiaohua drive up with the carriage, their expressions immediately changed. Without explaining, Zhang Xiaohua said: “Hurry up and pack your things. Move everything from the old carriage to the new one. You have the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.”

With that, he ignored their reactions and hurried off to settle the bill with the innkeeper.

When he returned, Little Orange had already packed everything and was waiting by the carriage.

Zhang Xiaohua asked in surprise: “Where’s Miss Nie?”

Little Orange glanced at the carriage and said: “She’s inside.”

Zhang Xiaohua laughed: “Haha, she’s quick to hide. What about you? Why aren’t you getting in?”

Looking at the martial arts master before her, a man she had once thought was just a rough country bumpkin, Little Orange found herself at a loss for words. After a long pause, she finally said: “Are you really not planning to escort us any further?”

Zhang Xiaohua was momentarily stunned, then replied: “That’s right, I really don’t intend to see you off. Hurry up and get in the carriage.”

Little Orange bit her lip, bowed deeply, and said: “Then, I’ll take Miss and leave. Thank you for saving our lives. The world is vast, and life is unpredictable. Who knows when we’ll meet again? Big Brother Ren, I hope you-”

Hearing Little Orange speak so sentimentally, Zhang Xiaohua almost burst out laughing, but he forced a straight face and interrupted her: “Alright, I get it. Just hurry up and get in the carriage.”

Little Orange’s unfinished words were cut off, so she could only climb into the carriage, lower the curtain, and say no more.

Zhang Xiaohua led Huanhuan over, patted its head to signal it to follow the carriage, then jumped onto the driver’s seat. Without another word, he drove the carriage straight toward the west gate.

The journey was uneventful. As they neared the West Gate, Zhang Xiaohua quickly released his divine sense. Sure enough, he saw no sign of any martial artists guarding the city with swords or sabers. Only then did he relax, leisurely driving the carriage out of the city.

But what about after leaving the city?

Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but worry. Without finding an escort agency, who would take these two all the way to Mochou City?