In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 401 Wealth and honor, don’t forget each other

In the darkness of night, a completely black, old-fashioned carriage quietly came to a stop in front of the Flying Tiger Escort Agency.

The two black horses pulling the carriage were exceptionally fine, yet they stood motionless, not even snorting. Under the lantern light, their eyes seemed to gleam with a faint, eerie light, conveying a sense of foreboding.

The carriage came to a stop, and the curtain was lifted.

The first person to step down was a middle-aged man dressed in brocade, with a slightly plump build, fair skin, and no beard.

His movements were stiff with a kind of respect. After landing, he immediately bowed slightly, stood to the side, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and wore a perfectly humble smile on his face. But in his narrow eyes, there was a shrewdness and indifference that did not match his smile.

He walked with extremely light steps, landing silently, revealing his remarkable skill in light-footed martial arts.

Immediately afterwards, two more people got off the carriage.

A burly man with an expressionless face carried a heavy wooden box about three feet long and two feet wide on his shoulder. The box was plain on the outside, but the slight tremors on the ground when he stepped down indicated that the contents inside were of extraordinary weight.

The other person was thin and wiry, holding a flat wooden box that was about four feet long, one foot wide, and less than half a foot high in both hands.

The wooden box has a simple and rustic design, with what appears to be subtle patterns on its surface that are faintly visible under the light.

The moment they saw the zither case, many seasoned veterans in the courtyard thought of the recent rumors about the Heavenly Demon Zither in Dongyang Prefecture. For a moment, their eyes narrowed slightly, and their hearts involuntarily jumped.

Perhaps the scene was too strange, so the bodyguards that the Flying Tiger Escort Agency had arranged to guard the door did not dare to speak up and stop the three wealthy men.

Soon, the portly man outside the door walked slowly and unhurriedly into the front yard.

His gaze slowly swept over the various expressions on the faces of the people in the courtyard, past the open gold chest on the ground, past the plaque carried on Lü Lin's shoulder, and finally lingered for a moment on the faces of Lü Tengkong, Luo Lie, and the other chief镖头 (bodyguards). His humble smile remained unchanged as he spoke.

The voice was not loud, but every word was clear, with a peculiar penetrating power: "Greetings, esteemed镖师 (镖师 refers to镖师 in Chinese, meaning镖师 are escorted/escorted). My master has a shipment he wishes to entrust to his镖师."

He paused, seemingly pleased that he had captured everyone's attention, and continued, "Among the heads of the escort agencies present, is there any... agency that dares to take on the task, or is capable of doing so?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the courtyard fell into a deathly silence, broken only by the soft rustling of lanterns in the night breeze.

As the host, Lü Tengkong had no choice but to step forward, clasp his hands in greeting, and say in a deep voice, "Entrusting goods is the duty of our escort agency. May I ask where the goods are being entrusted to? How much is the escort fee? What are the entrusted items? Are there any taboos?"

The portly man turned to Lü Tengkong, his smile unchanged, though it didn't reach his eyes: "So you're Chief Escort Lü, my apologies for my rudeness."

"The goods need to be delivered to Xinyang Prefecture. As for the escort fee, my master will provide 20,000 taels of gold, half of which will be paid as a deposit, and the other half will be paid after the goods are safely delivered to the designated location in Xinyang."

As the portly man finished speaking, the man carrying the wooden box behind him stepped forward and placed the box on the ground.

The dull thud as the wooden crate hit the bottom made everyone present pause for a second.

Then, when the wooden box was opened, the neatly arranged gold bricks gleamed in the candlelight in the front yard.

For a moment, the heads and guards of all the escort agencies present were glued to these gold bricks and could not take their eyes off them.

Many of the heads of small and medium-sized security escort agencies were breathing slightly rapidly.

The portly man seemed oblivious to the crowd's reactions and continued in his calm yet clear tone, "As for what I'm entrusting, it's the contents of this box."

At this point, the servant carrying the wooden box stepped forward, allowing everyone to see the long, flat wooden box clearly.

The smile on the portly man's face seemed to fade slightly, but his eyes sharpened. "The journey is fraught with danger, and there are likely many robbers. Please be careful. If you are not capable, do not act recklessly, lest you lose your life."

Those last few words were like icy chills, instantly sending a shiver down the spines of the镖头 (bodyguards/escorts) present. Their attention shifted to the long, flat wooden box, but none of them dared to speak.

Lu Tengkong's expression was extremely solemn.

With decades of experience as a镖师 (bodyguard/escort), how could Lü Tengkong not see that this particular镖 (escort/delivery) was definitely a dangerous one?

If the Flying Tiger Escort Agency were to take on this task, it would be immediately apparent that this escort mission would be no easy feat.

If this happens, not only will they, father and son, face dire consequences, but the entire Flying Tiger Escort Agency will likely be doomed.

However, the world is never short of people who are blinded by greed and who, even knowing there is a problem, still cannot resist temptation.

Before Lü Tengkong could even consider his refusal, Luo Lie, who was inside the courtyard, said in a deep voice, "Our Hengyuan Escort Agency will accept this shipment."

Upon hearing that someone was robbing the goods, the portly man at the door's eyes flickered, and his smile deepened.

Seeing Luo Lie step forward, Lü Tengkong felt relieved.

Before Lü Tengkong could fully relax, Lü Lin, who was carrying the signboard in front of him, suddenly spoke up: "This is my Flying Tiger Escort Agency. If the guests really wanted to entrust Hengyuan Escort Agency with their goods, they wouldn't have come here. Chief Escort Luo, what's the rush?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Lie looked at Lü Lin: "What? Young Master Lü, are you also interested in this deal?"

“Is that not allowed? My Flying Tiger Escort Agency will take this escort mission. It will also be a good opportunity for everyone to see whether I, Lü Lin, am qualified to succeed the Flying Tiger Escort Agency and this plaque that reads ‘Number One Escort in the World’.”

As Lü Lin handed the plaque to the Flying Tiger Escort Agency staff member beside him, he responded.

Luo Lie said with a hint of mockery, "You're not very old, but you have quite the big mouth. But nobody's money grows on trees. I'm afraid that if Chief Escort Lü takes on this kind of escort mission, the Flying Tiger Escort Agency will be left without a successor after Chief Escort Lü retires from the business."

Lü Lin's face darkened with anger: "You..."

"Lin'er, stop talking nonsense!"

But before Lü Lin could finish speaking, Lü Tengkong shouted angrily.

I was extremely anxious.

Inside the courtyard, Fan Sanshan sighed.

"It seems that Brother Lü has protected his son too well all these years. He acts and speaks without thinking and without considering the consequences."

Gu Shaoan smiled and said, "It's normal to be a bit more impetuous when you're young and inexperienced."

Fan Sanshan thought for a moment, then turned his head to look at Gu Shaoan, and couldn't help but nod: "That's true."

In fact, people like Lü Lin are the norm in the martial arts world.

After all, who wasn't impulsive and headstrong in their youth? And who only cared about the immediate future?

How many people can be as composed as Gu Shaoan?

At the entrance, listening to Lü Lin's words, the portly man smiled: "Young镖头 (Young镖头 is a term for a bodyguard/escort), young and spirited, quite like the former head镖头 Lü. Like father, like son! In that case, this shipment will be entrusted to the Flying Tiger Escort Agency to be delivered to Xinyang Prefecture."

As soon as he finished speaking, another servant behind the portly man carefully placed the long, flat box he was carrying on the ground.

"Once we arrive in Xinyang Prefecture, someone will come to take over the escort, and the remaining payment will be settled on the spot."

After speaking, the portly man turned and walked unhurriedly out of the escort agency with the other two men. Seeing that the matter was settled, Lü Tengkong, though anxious, was helpless.

"The deposit has been paid, and the deal is done." This is the rule of all escort agencies, and as the leader of the escort alliance in Dongyang Prefecture, Lü Tengkong naturally cannot take the lead in violating it.

When Lü Tengkong finally realized what was happening and looked up, he saw that the three portly men were taking nearly two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) of strides forward with each step, and in the blink of an eye, they had arrived outside the escort agency and boarded the carriage.

Seeing that he could not change it, Lü Tengkong hurriedly asked, "You have not yet told me what exactly is in the shipment you entrusted to me?"

As the carriage moved forward, a cold and eerie voice suddenly echoed in the front yard.

"Heavenly Demon Harp".

Although the group of escorts had some guesses about the long, flat wooden box on the ground, they were all taken aback when they heard the words "Heavenly Demon Harp".

Lu Tengkong's heart sank to the bottom.

When the other members of the escort agencies around looked at Lü Tengkong and his son Lü Lin, they felt a mixture of pity and subtle schadenfreude.

Hearing Luo Lie's words, Lü Tengkong's expression darkened slightly, but he did not refute them. Instead, the worry between his brows deepened.

Noticing the reactions of those around him, Gu Shaoan couldn't help but ask Fan Sanshan telepathically, "Why are these people reacting so strongly when they hear about the Heavenly Demon Harp?"

In response to Gu Shaoan's question, Fan Sanshan also asked telepathically, "Brother Gu, do you know about Master Zhang's Jiazi Demon-Slaying Technique?"

Gu Shaoan nodded in acknowledgment.

Upon seeing this, Fan Sanshan recounted what he knew.

Soon, Gu Shaoan also learned the reason.

In earlier years, the headquarters of the Round Moon Gate was also located in the southwestern region of the Great Wei Kingdom.

However, decades ago, Zhang Sanfeng spent ten years patiently waiting and gradually dismantling the Yuanyue Sect's influence.

After the leader of the Round Moon Sect was seriously injured by Zhang Sanfeng, he finally sought help from the imperial court, which allowed the Round Moon Sect to be moved from its original southwestern region to the vicinity of Dongyang Prefecture.

The price to pay is that the Round Moon Gate will only be able to govern Dongyang Prefecture, Nanyang Prefecture, and Shuijiang Prefecture from now on.

This is unlike the Emei Sect, which, despite being a first-rate power, has a sphere of influence that covers ten prefectures.

But in the world of martial arts, opportunities and dangers often go hand in hand.

Some people are naturally perceptive and can seize fleeting opportunities to grow into great success.

Just like back when Zhang Sanfeng clashed with the Yuanyue Sect, there was a second-rate force in the southwest region that followed Zhang Sanfeng all the way. Whenever Zhang Sanfeng destroyed the Yuanyue Sect's forces in a prefecture, he would annex that prefecture and bring it under his control.

This force is now known as the Heavenly Dragon Gate.

To amass wealth that only a first-rate power could achieve with the help of a second-rate force.

It can be said that the Tianlong Sect made its fortune entirely by following Zhang Sanfeng around and taking advantage of his success.

There is a saying: "If I become rich and powerful, I will not forget you."

The Tianlong Sect grew and prospered by relying on Zhang Sanfeng's influence, and the Yuanyue Sect naturally never forgot what the Tianlong Sect had done.

If we were to ask which force the Round Moon Sect hated the most, it wouldn't be Zhang Sanfeng, who had beaten them to a pulp and forced them to relocate their base from the southwest to the southeast of the Great Wei Kingdom.

Instead, it was the Heavenly Dragon Sect, which had always been like a leech, silently sucking the blood of the Round Moon Sect to grow stronger.

Therefore, after relocating to Dongyang Prefecture, the Yuanyue Sect, under the personal leadership of its leader, immediately attacked the Tianlong Sect once things had stabilized somewhat.

I originally thought that dealing with a second-rate force like the Heavenly Dragon Gate would be a very simple matter.

Who would have thought that Mr. Six Fingers of Tianlongmen would suddenly reach the level of Condensing Yuan and Forming Gang in his internal energy cultivation, becoming a first-class master.

Furthermore, the injuries sustained by the leader of the Round Moon Sect during his fight with Zhang Sanfeng had not yet healed, and he was ultimately defeated by Mr. Six Fingers with the help of the "Eight Sounds of the Heavenly Dragon" and the "Heavenly Demon Harp," resulting in the loss of many disciples of the Round Moon Sect at the Heavenly Dragon Sect.

This battle propelled the Heavenly Dragon Sect to fame, propelling it into the ranks of first-rate powers.

Finally, Mr. Six Fingers of the Heavenly Dragon Gate even made his way to the Round Moon Gate.

During those days, many people from various large and small martial arts forces in Dongyang Prefecture, Nanyang Prefecture, and Shuijiang Prefecture died because they were implicated.

That's why everyone reacted so strongly when they learned that the box contained the Heavenly Demon Harp.

Having understood the reason, Gu Shaoan suddenly thought of Li Changbai.

Based on what Gu Shaoan knew, the reason why Mr. Six Fingers' internal energy level was able to suddenly advance to the level of Condensing Yuan into Gang was because he absorbed the power of the "Wedding Dress Divine Skill" from Li Changbai's body back then.

However, Gu Shaoan did not expect that there was such a thing before the Tianlong Sect became a first-class power.

"Speaking of which, I seem to remember my master saying that when Guo Xiang was traveling, she encountered people from the Round Moon Sect and suffered a hidden loss. Could it be that this is the reason why Master Zhang went against the Round Moon Sect?"

Think carefully about Zhang Sanfeng's character.

It's not that it's impossible to do.

In the front yard, after regaining his senses, Luo Lie felt a wave of lingering fear.

After taking a few deep breaths, still shaken, Luo Lie first glanced at Lü Lin, then looked at Lü Tengkong, whose face showed more worry, and cupped his hands, saying, "Congratulations, Chief Escort Lü, on taking on such a big order. Whether or not this escort mission is completed, the more than one hundred people in the Flying Tiger Escort Agency will be set for life for decades to come, haha~"

Upon hearing this, the people from the security escort agency in the front yard reacted in various ways.

Some looked regretful, while others gloated.

Sensing the reactions of those around him, Lü Lin gritted his teeth and said, "So what if it's the Heavenly Demon Harp? When the escort agency opens its doors, it only welcomes guests in and has no intention of turning them away. This escort was taken on by me, Lü Lin, alone, and even if something happens later, I, Lü Lin, will naturally bear the responsibility alone."

At this point, Lü Linhuan glanced around and continued, "However, if I can successfully complete this escort mission, I think no one here can object to the plaque 'Number One Escort in the World' continuing to hang on my Flying Tiger Escort Agency!"

Just as Lü Lin finished speaking, a cold yet somewhat alluring voice suddenly entered the front yard.

"Ha! Done? I think you're tired of living."

The voice came abruptly, cold and alluring, yet with a sinister quality that seemed to pierce the soul, like a venomous snake's tongue gently licking the eardrum, sending a chill down the spines of everyone in the courtyard.

Before the words had even faded, three figures descended from the sky like ghosts, landing on the open ground in the center of the front yard.

(End of this chapter)