Free Web NovelChapter 96: Chapter 96: Yin Yang Darts
After seven or eight rounds, Kong Chun and the others were already staggering, yet they still insisted on pouring more wine for Xie Yuan.
Even with his Inner Power, Xie Yuan couldn’t withstand such a relentless assault. He had no choice but to use the restroom as an excuse to slip out of the private room and skip a round.
"Good grief, the wine here isn’t half bad. If they keep pouring it down my throat like this, I won’t be walking out of here."
Xie Yuan leaned against the latticed railing on the second-floor corridor, letting out a breath heavy with the smell of alcohol. His vision was hazy.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze drifting aimlessly over the main hall below. It was something of a professional habit, but his eyes were unfocused. He was completely spaced out.
As he watched, Xie Yuan’s eyes suddenly shot open. He focused his gaze, and some of his intoxication instantly vanished.
’Oh, a familiar face?’
’The men from the Escort Agency really do love drinking at the Jude Building. Is Darts Master Lu treating someone to a meal here today, too? Looks like they’ve just finished and are on their way out.’
’Well, what do you know. The old poker face can actually smile. Who’s he eating with that’s put him in such a good mood?’
Xie Yuan was hesitating, wondering if he should call out a greeting, when he suddenly froze. The alcohol’s haze cleared a little more.
He could now clearly see the man chatting and laughing animatedly beside Lu Zhenyu. The man was dressed in a date-red robe with a long saber at his waist—he was one of the County Officials.
’That uniform...’ Xie Yuan felt a sense of unease. ’Darts Master Lu is friendly with people from the county government?’
As he was lost in thought, a hand suddenly reached out and clapped him on the shoulder, making him jump.
"Brother Yuan, what are you looking at? Come on, stop hiding! Time for more drinks!"
Kong Chun slurred, tugging at his arm.
Xie Yuan brushed his hand away.
"Hold on, let me stand here for a moment and get some air... Hey, look. Isn’t that Darts Master Lu?"
"Where? Oh, you’re right!"
Kong Chun’s drunken eyes spotted Lu Zhenyu, and then he noticed the eye-catching Official beside him. His expression soured.
"Darts Master Lu is that close with the county government? Hmph. What a jinx."
Ever since the current County Captain, Yu Chunsheng, had come to power, the relationship between the Longteng Escort Agency and the county government had soured.
"Let’s go, let’s go! Brother Yuan, stop looking. It’s an eyesore! Time for more drinks!"
Kong Chun pulled hard on Xie Yuan’s arm.
Just before leaving the railing, Xie Yuan cast one last, puzzled glance back, then reluctantly followed him inside.
The drinking went on until the world seemed to spin. In the end, Xie Yuan had to secretly circulate his health-preserving technique just to withstand the relentless assault from his fellow masters.
He didn’t stop until Tang Dawei, the last man still sitting upright, had also slid under the table. He heard Tang Dawei slur with a thick tongue:
"Brother Yuan... you can really hold your liquor!"
Xie Yuan felt a bit sheepish, but seeing all five men passed out, he ceased circulating his health-preserving technique. He went out, called for a waiter, and hired a horse-drawn carriage. One by one, he had the five men loaded up and sent back to the Escort Agency.
The doorman on duty at the Escort Agency lifted the carriage curtain and saw five men lying side by side. For a terrifying moment, he thought there had been a failed escort and they were bringing back five corpses. It was only when the overwhelming stench of wine hit him that he understood.
Once Xie Yuan confirmed all five had been put to bed in their rooms, he went to wash up and rest.
Before bed, Xie Yuan went through his health-preserving technique one last time to complete his daily training, then lay down to sleep.
The chance encounter at the restaurant flashed through his mind. Xie Yuan shook his head slightly, closed his eyes, and drifted into dreamland.
Two days later, Zhao Xingyang gathered every member of the Escort Team.
"Brothers, the Escort Agency has landed a major job! The Agency Head wants me to lead the team. Full deployment, we’re all escorting this one together."
Zhao Xingyang said with a smile:
"This is a big one. Once we finish this job, everyone gets a holiday."
The Escort Team erupted in cheers. They had been working nonstop since returning after the new year and were all feeling the fatigue.
If Xie Yuan hadn’t successfully completed so many escorts and repeatedly earned accolades, his own requests for leave wouldn’t have been approved so easily.
"Chief, what kind of major job is this? It needs our entire team, and we still get a holiday afterward?"
one of the Darts Masters asked curiously.
"Landlord Chang from the city is getting on in years and wants to return to his ancestral home. You know the saying: ’The supplies march before the troops.’ All his precious antiques and curios need to be transported back first. He specifically came to the Agency Head to request a secure and thorough escort."
Zhao Xingyang chuckled.
"Everyone knows how wealthy Landlord Chang is. The pay was just shy of convincing the Agency Head himself to lead the escort."
The men broke into laughter. The Agency Head had settled into a managerial role years ago, coordinating all their affairs from headquarters. He hadn’t personally taken on a job in a long time, no matter how high the price.
Zhao Xingyang often used the line "the Agency Head was about to take it himself" to describe the size of an escort fee.
Still, everyone had heard of Landlord Chang, the antiques and calligraphy dealer in Yunzhao County.
In his heyday, Landlord Chang was known as the wealthiest man in Yunzhao. The Escort Agency occupied half of this street; the other half, along with the adjoining intersection, was once filled entirely with Landlord Chang’s shops.
Landlord Chang made his fortune from antiques and calligraphy, but there were whispers that he was actually a master tomb raider who later went legit. Whether the rumors were true or not, no one knew for sure. In any case, he was a major figure in Yunzhao for many years before suddenly adopting a low profile, selling off many of his shops, and fading from the public eye.
Although he was no longer the subject of local gossip, his wealth, accumulated over so many years, was undeniable. He remained one of the most prominent tycoons in Yunzhao County. A job from him would surely mean a massive payday for the Escort Agency, and everyone’s cut would be substantial.
"Alright, you all know the mission now. Go home and prepare. Once this job is done, there will be plenty of silver and merits to go around."
Zhao Xingyang called for the senior Darts Masters to remain behind, then waved a dismissive hand at the others.
"All of you, go get ready. We set out tomorrow."
After the crowd dispersed, Xie Yuan and the few other senior Darts Masters followed Zhao Xingyang into the study.
Zhao Xingyang took out a map and began pointing out the route.
"The goods are being delivered to Wuli Village in Yulin. It’s a five-day journey to the east, and there are a few bandit strongholds we’ll have to pass.
"Chen the Cripple on Dongshan of Yunzhao. He’s weak and too close to our territory. He’s always kept his head down, so he’s not a concern.
"I haven’t heard of any major strongholds in Chenyu Bay, but the terrain is complex, so we’ll need to be cautious there.
"And then there’s Chicken Mountain. They’re the strongest of the lot. That leader, Song, had a falling out with us last time, so passing through their territory is a bad idea..."
Zhao Xingyang paused in thought, then drew a line on the map north of Chicken Mountain.
"We’ll detour through Peng County. It’ll add two days to the journey... but that’s fine. This route is much safer. What are your thoughts?"
The men all nodded in agreement. Xie Yuan had taken this same route on his last return trip; it was more than enough to avoid the bandits on Chicken Mountain.
"Gentlemen, this cargo is priceless, and our entire Escort Team is mobilized. There is no room for error. Please, do not let a word of this route get out. You are the pillars of this Escort Team. Go back and make your preparations."
The senior Darts Masters cupped their fists in unison, acknowledged the order, and began to leave.
Just as Xie Yuan was about to step out the door, Zhao Xingyang called out to him.
"Xiaoxie, wait a moment."
After the others had left, Zhao Xingyang led Xie Yuan into the study’s inner chamber. He carefully shut the door and windows before speaking to Xie Yuan in a low voice.
"Xiaoxie, you won’t be traveling with the main party. I have a separate mission for you.
"We’re running Yin Yang Darts this time. You will take the ’Yin’ cargo, travel alone, and make your way to Wuli Village. You must get this item there, no matter what."
As he spoke, Zhao Xingyang took out a large jade box and handed it to Xie Yuan.
