The Great Martial Arts World: Hot Topics and Great Heroes

"Maybe there'll even be a beautiful female镖头 (bodyguard/escort) or something." Chu Luren felt that this was the kind of fantasy plot he was familiar with.

Upon hearing this, Mu Wanqing rolled her eyes. Azi was also amazed by her "big brother's" wild imagination—a beautiful head镖师 (bodyguard/escort)? Even if she did, so what? It's not like you actually had the chance!

"You've been acting strange lately?" Murong Jiu asked Chu Luren, puzzled.

Chu Luren paused for a moment after hearing this, then said, "Actually, the world has been acting strangely lately."

Without the Chu Lu people, they really wouldn't understand the meaning of "world".

Mu Wanqing and Azi didn't know what Chu Luren was talking about, while Murong Jiu remained silent for a moment—she still remembered it!

Just a few days ago, when Chu Lu was rowing upstream on the river, he suddenly felt something and was terrified. He felt the boat suddenly sway. Mu Wanqing wanted to come out and ask, but Xiao Jiujiu stopped her...

That's right, the little scheme came out immediately!

After about 15 minutes, Chu Luren did not use his internal energy, but the boat was still moving against the current, and... it was obvious that it was being carried by something, and it even felt like it was being carried by something huge. Chu Luren vaguely noticed that the color of the river surface around him had changed.

Therefore, the Chu Lu people have recently had a very "fantasy" feel to them...

To avoid causing any panic, Chu Luren didn't explain to Mu Wanqing and Azi. They simply assumed that Chu Luren was in a good state at that time and that her condition improved exceptionally quickly.

However, under Murong Jiu's persuasion, Chu Luren gave up this unambitious idea—what kind of skill is it to follow a security escort agency across the border?

No matter what... we should wait until a security escort agency comes to our door to ask for our help, and then offer several dozen taels of silver before we even consider this matter, right?

The escort agency that can open this route must have some connections with both sides, and acting together can indeed avoid some trouble.

So Chu Luren made a special trip to Qunyu Academy in Xingyuan Prefecture, firstly to inquire about any major events in the martial arts world recently, and secondly to ask them to spread the word in Xingyuan and see if there were any "sensible" escort teams.

As a result, no important information was found out. The news of Master Zhang's emergence from seclusion had not yet spread. It was unclear whether he had not yet emerged from seclusion or whether the news was on its way.

However, the "strange phenomena" at Wudang Mountain have indeed become a hot topic of conversation in the martial arts world recently. Some even believe that Master Zhang has ascended to heaven, while others believe that Master Zhang has passed away peacefully. Therefore, Wudang has to create some strange phenomena to make it seem like Master Zhang has "ascended to heaven."

Knowing the inside story, Chu Luren understood that there was nothing to worry about with Wudang. After all, Zhang had just broken through and was taking a breather, and he could come out of seclusion at any time if there was anything important.

Even if someone does have bad intentions, Wudang won't be the one to suffer.

In addition, there haven't been any major events in the martial arts world in the past month or so. At most, there's been some gossip like Abbess Miejue announcing that she would join forces with the martial arts world of Ba and Shu to hold a martial arts conference, but the Tang Clan of Yuzhou said they were unaware of it...

……

Before Chu Lu could wait any longer, the next day, people from the Zhenjiang Tiger Crouching Escort Agency came to the inn with great fanfare to invite Chu Taisui and Nan Murong.

"Someone actually came to invite us? Tiger Crouching Escort Agency has quite a reputation in Zhenjiang, how can they be so disrespectful?" Murong Jiu frowned upon hearing this.

Indeed, a legitimate security escort agency wouldn't be so unprofessional as to hire outsiders to accompany them on a mission. Normally, they should minimize contact with outsiders!

However, Chu Luren thought for a moment and then said, "I just asked Qunyu Academy yesterday to help me spread the news, and they found out that very night. Their professionalism is obvious, isn't it?"

Yes, professional escort agencies wouldn't go to places like Qunyu Courtyard when they're on a delivery mission!

Upon seeing the visitor, Murong Jiu recognized him. After all, she had traveled in Jiangnan for a long time, and as the top escort agency in Zhenjiang, she knew the number one and number two figures of Tiger Crouching Escort Agency.

The newcomer was no ordinary镖头 (bodyguard/escort), but Han Qing, the deputy chief镖头 of the Tiger's Roost镖局 (Tiger's Roost镖局). This made Murong Jiu even more suspicious—as far as she knew, Han Qing was not the kind of unruly镖头 she was referring to.

When Han Qing saw Chu Luren and Murong Jiu, he also looked troubled. After they spoke, the two realized that this escort mission had indeed encountered difficulties...

The master thief Hu Guinan has his eye on this shipment. Hu Guinan is neither a bandit nor a ruthless person, but for the escort agency, sometimes encountering him is less desirable than encountering a bandit, especially... when the goods being escorted are not large!

Chapter 399 Partners of Justice

"Young Master Murong, you flatter me. I am truly at my wit's end this time. I hope that you... and Hero Chu, can lend me a hand," Han Qing said with a bitter expression.

Honestly, Lao Han didn't go anywhere he shouldn't have last night.

After learning of Chu Luren's request, Qunyu Academy made a direct contact with the Huju Escort Agency, which was currently in Xingyuan Prefecture and struggling with its decision.

The caravan that Tiger Crouching Escort Agency took on this time was carrying "Tianshan Life-Returning Pills" that the Tang Clan wanted to deliver. A Tang Clan disciple handed it over to them at the Zhenjiang General Escort Agency, asking them to deliver it to the Tang Clan in Yuzhou.

Normal escort agencies are unwilling to protect these kinds of things. After all, many elixirs have an expiration date, and... if the effect is not good, it's easy to say whether it's a problem with transportation and storage or a problem with the refining process.

But there was nothing they could do. This was a shipment specifically requested by the Tang Clan. Offending the Tang Clan would ruin the entire escort route in Bayu!

On the contrary, if they can do it well, they can even establish a relationship with the Tang Clan, and when they travel in Chongqing in the future, the "Tiger Crouching Escort Agency" flag will shine even brighter.

So in the end, Tiger's Roost Escort Agency gritted its teeth and protected the company, even sending its deputy chief escort, Han Qing.

Previously, things were fine. The "Yin-Yang Escort" tactic was old, but it was indeed very effective. On the surface, a caravan would travel through western Hunan and Dali, entering Sichuan from the south to attract attention. Meanwhile, Han Qing would secretly bring the elixirs north to Xingyuan Prefecture, preparing to enter Sichuan from there...

But just as they were about to enter Sichuan, they suddenly ran into bad luck and were targeted by the master thief Hu Guinan.

Hu Guinan was not only skilled in petty theft like Zhu Cong, the second of the Seven Heroes of Jiangnan, but his martial arts skills were far superior to Zhu Cong's. Rumors circulated that he was no weaker than Yue Laosan or even a sect leader of the same caliber as Yu Canghai.

In a world without Bai Yutang, Chu Liuxiang, Sikong Zhaixing, and others, Hu Guinan is basically the pinnacle of the master thief world.

If he were even a little more handsome, he might have gained some popularity, but alas...

However, Han Qing dared not dislike the appearance of others. After learning that he had been targeted by Hu Guinan, he had been unable to sleep all night. After being advised by the people of Qunyu Academy, he went to Chu Taisui and Nan Murong today, hoping to use their names to scare Hu Guinan!

Murong Jiu was about to agree, but when she looked at Chu Luren, she found him giving her a meaningful look—a look that even Han Qing on the other side could understand.

"The Tang Clan has always been at odds with the martial arts world of the Central Plains, and they are quite stubborn in their actions. Hu Guinan probably wouldn't dare to do anything. Chief镖头 Han is overthinking it. Please go back!" Chu Luren said, then turned and went back to the inn, leaving the disappointed Han Qing standing there.

Moreover, the reason given was as if Chu Luren didn't want to have any contact with the Tang Clan.

Although Murong Jiu didn't know what Chu Luren was planning, she only exchanged a few pleasantries with Han Qing and ignored the matter of traveling together.

……

That evening at another small inn, Han Qing replaced the previous bodyguard. As he was on high alert, he suddenly heard a disorienting "coo-coo" bird call. In the blink of an eye, as he instinctively looked towards the window to the side, a ghostly figure had already appeared beside him, now with its back to him.

Han Qing had just turned his head slightly when a layer of white sweat immediately broke out on his forehead. He was about to shout a warning, but the other person ignored him, pointed a finger at his back, and instantly sealed his pressure point. His throat tightened, and he could only manage a low utterance: "Who?"

At this moment, Han Qing was also shocked—Hu Guinan's martial arts skills were actually so high.

Could it be that this person's lack of widespread fame is entirely due to his good looks?

Is the reason you turned your back to me because you were afraid of scaring me?

"Don't worry, Chief Escort Han, it is I, the backbone of the martial world!" Chu Luren said, turning around.

After Han Qing saw the deer-man clearly, he felt a chill in his heart, thinking that there was something wrong with the Tang Clan's goods, and that even Chu Taisui had his eye on them.

And... why did you reveal your identity? Can I pretend I didn't see it?

"Don't worry, Chief Escort Han. I am a pillar of the martial world. I only refrained from agreeing during the day because I was worried about alerting the enemy," Chu Luren said kindly.

Han Qing was also puzzled—what I wanted was to stir up trouble! Wouldn't it be better if he didn't dare to come?

However, after a moment's thought, the old hand realized that Chu Taisui and Hu Guinan must have some grudge or some other reason, and he simply didn't want to let him go!

Although he knew that Chu Luren was using his darts to lure him, Han Qing immediately responded in a low voice when he saw that Chu Luren had released his pressure points without saying a word: "Then thank you very much for your help, Hero Chu. With Hero Chu here, Hu Guinan will be captured easily. The entire escort agency will be forever grateful for Hero Chu's kindness!"

“Since Chief Han is so hospitable, let’s not talk about who’s protecting whom. Let’s just set off together.” Chu Luren said, then remembered the wooden tray covered with red cloth that the burly men had been carrying earlier that day, so he added, “Let’s skip the silver… it’s not easy to carry anyway. Let’s exchange it for silver notes!”

Han Qing: ...

Goodness, thank goodness Han Qing didn't chime in, otherwise it would have been awkward.

The realities of the world and history are ultimately different; otherwise, not only would silver notes and paper money not have been popular among the people during the Song Dynasty, but Sichuan and the "outside world" would also have had different economic systems.

However, in the vast world of martial arts, the Song Dynasty's silver notes were still quite valuable. In contrast, the Qing Dynasty's silver notes were highly inflated; the larger the face value, the greater the inflation when exchanging them. The Mongol Yuan Dynasty... did not issue silver notes.

Chu Luren greatly admired the chivalrous heroes who had long been active in the Qing court!

When you're broke, as long as you dare to do it, you don't need to pick any lucky rich or powerful people. Just use large denomination banknotes to forcibly redeem them at the money exchange. Forget about the inflated amounts or the hidden rules. If you don't give me the face value of the banknotes, you're bullying the market. I'll show you the justice that's coming down on you.

If all else fails, they can exchange the silver for counterfeit banknotes and then redeem them at a money exchange. This cycle can be considered the wealth secret of the Qing Dynasty's underworld.

Of course, this only applies to lone wolves...

The government would definitely issue a warrant for his arrest, but from the perspective of江湖义气 (jianghu yiqi, a code of honor among江湖江湖人士, a term referring to the code of chivalry and江湖义气, a code of honor among江湖江湖人士), it would be barely acceptable, and he wouldn't be criticized behind his back for it.

……

Han Qing's mission was a clandestine operation, and he didn't have many people with him. Besides himself, there were only eight others, and even with Chu Luren, the total number didn't exceed ten.

Because he was hiding his identity, Chu Luren calmed Xiao Jiu Jiu down last night and then temporarily separated from Murong Jiu and the other two, agreeing to meet again in Miangu County, Lizhou. Although the destination was Bayu, Han Qing estimated that Hu Guinan would probably make his move at the border.

On the surface, they were also escorting a shipment of cattle and sheep...

These were goods that were relatively easy to transport from Xingyuan Prefecture into Sichuan. The Mongol Yuan Dynasty was happy to see cattle and sheep flow into the Southern Song Dynasty from a "big picture" perspective. However, if it were grain or horses, the journey would be much more difficult.

If it's a red-grade item, then guarding against the Mongol army is just as important as guarding against thieves.

Of course, "big picture" is one thing, but in reality, crossing the border is definitely a tough experience.

The situation was completely different from when Chu Luren and his group crossed the border. When Chu Luren entered and exited the border, he usually chose places where there were no people to avoid the border troops of the Mongol Yuan or Manchu Qing dynasties. If he really ran into them, he would simply and decisively bring down justice from heaven.

The Tiger's Roost Escort Agency, familiar with the escort routes, while operating somewhat clandestinely, chose to bribe officials along the way from military settlements with which they had connections...

Chu Luren's method of guaranteeing the "Tianshan Life-Returning Pill" was also very simple: he could just carry it with him at all times. Although Han Qing hesitated for a moment, he eventually agreed.

Logically speaking, Chu Taisui, who is ranked second on the Heavenly Ranking, shouldn't be so greedy as to covet a single pill. Moreover, this thing is for curing diseases and prolonging life. Why would Chu Luren want something that would ruin his reputation?

Most importantly, if someone really wants it, there's nothing he can do about it.

Chapter 400 A Familiar Scene

As they approached Miangu County, the Tiger's Roost Escort Agency stopped at a roadside inn for a rest. Chu Luren had perfectly blended into the style of an escort, except that he had wrapped his hair up—a faint reddish color that would make him seem unapproachable.

In addition, as long as the suona and salted fish jar are left for Murong Jiu to take away, the recognizability of Chu Luren will be greatly reduced.

This is also a hidden benefit of having a highly recognizable public persona...

Little Red was flying around by itself, neither landing on Chu Luren nor making any noise. Chu Luren's regret was that he couldn't eat salted fish and drunken crab for the next few days...

"I've wasted several days adding attributes. I hope Hu Guinan won't let me down," Chu Luren thought to himself.

As for Chu Luren's purpose in trying to catch Hu Guinan, it was very simple and pure. It wasn't that he liked him, but simply that he was craving the "Crimson-Eyed Ice Toad"!

In the original story, Hu Guinan intended to give Meng Bofei a "Crimson-Eyed Ice Toad" as a birthday gift for his sixtieth birthday, but he changed his mind halfway through and gave it to his savior, Yuan Chengzhi.

In the martial arts world, Meng Bofei is known as "Gai Mengchang," essentially the Iron Warrior of North China...

Although Chu Luren had never dealt with him, he had heard of his great reputation!

As for whether the "Crimson-Eyed Ice Toad" is still in Hu Guinan's hands, Chu Luren is really unsure.

Chu Luren and Qunyu Academy inquired and found out that Meng Bofei's sixtieth birthday should be next year!

However, Hu Guinan's Crimson-Eyed Ice Toad wasn't stolen knowing it was for a birthday celebration; rather, it had a protagonist-like quality, having been given to him by an old Taoist priest before his death after he saved the priest.

Since we've encountered this situation, we should give it a try...