Zhao Rong returned to his hut and opened the package.
Brilliant silver taels, to a total of fifty!
"This..."
"From now on, I really can't complain about Bao Datong scamming money, as this refund is even more than the tuition I paid."
Picking up the silver, he weighed it, remembering Bao Budian's attitude from earlier today, and generally understood Bao Datong's well-meaning intentions.
He naturally accepted this kindness.
Even if he returned the silver, he still owed Bao Datong a favor previously.
He was actually quite pleased, as Bao Datong was the first person to make a significant investment in him, barely qualifying as an angel investor, making Zhao Rong feel satisfied and a bit proud.
Bao Budian might not be a top talent, but he was honest and had developed his martial skills well; with further refinement, he would definitely be stronger than Bao Datong.
Zhao Rong had long had plans for the future.
Developing combat power and expanding the guild were both indispensable.
Suppressing his racing thoughts, he sat down and opened a letter from the package.
It was indeed in Bao Datong's handwriting.
It began with some polite praise and then moved on to what Zhao Rong cared about most, the inside information. Bao Datong mentioned something he had learned from a recent incident.
Holding the letter, Zhao Rong paced back and forth.
"At the end of July, I was at Qunyu Courtyard seeing off a friend. I returned home drunk that evening and accidentally stumbled upon a conflict..."
At that time, Hengyang had been in chaos for a while, with local gangs clashing, and the Hai Sha Gang from Sha Corner Island had swallowed up many smaller gangs.
Since it affected the business of the Red Wolf Gang inside the city, violence broke out between the two biggest gangs.
This event was well known throughout the streets and alleys, and Zhao Rong had heard about it early on.
But the news brought by Bao Datong was even more explosive.
"The Red Wolf Gang couldn't withstand the Hai Sha Gang, leading to Hengshan disciples intervening. Unexpectedly, these Hengshan disciples were ambushed by some unknown masters. By chance, I encountered one of the fleeing Hengshan disciples, heavily wounded and bleeding profusely, who entrusted me to seek help from the Hengshan Sect."
"Hearing noises behind me, I hid inside a nearby chicken cage and saw this disciple being murdered by a masked man, but those who came later to handle the body were from the Hai Sha Gang."
"This person has been seen at Luosu Wharf; he has a large scar on his face and is called Hall Master Gao."
"The Hai Sha Gang wouldn't dare provoke the Hengshan Sect, but it seems like their backers were targeting the Hengshan Sect. These master fighters only targeted Hengshan disciples and ignored the gang members of the Red Wolf Gang."
"Changrui Escort Agency, which has long worshipped the Hengshan Sect and enjoyed their protection, is naturally considered an ally."
"Now, trouble has come to the head of the escort agency."
"Brother Zhao, if you hadn't set your heart on joining the Hengshan Sect, I wouldn't have introduced you to Lu Shi."
"But as things stand, be extra cautious on your escorts in the near future, and prioritize your life above all else."
"Burn this letter after reading, take care, take care."
"..."
Zhao Rong burned the letter with a candle.
The Hai Sha Gang, Scar-faced Hall Master Gao?
Isn't that just Gao Daqiang!
Cold sweat broke out on Zhao Rong's back. Recently, he had bluffed the other party using a false identity as Mo Da's disciple, at that time the lives of everyone on the ship were dependent on him.
Fortunately, they were close to the wharf back then, and he had tricked the opposition into thinking they would send a signal.
The Hai Sha Gang, the fake cook Old Wang, the bandit killed with lime that night, the forces behind the targeting of the Hengshan Sect, the hijacking of the escorts...
Connecting all these pieces of information together, Zhao Rong felt as if he was lifting the fog.
Previously, the Hai Sha Gang only robbed merchant ships and had no interest in the fishless fishing boats.
But the entire crew of the neighboring Zhang Family Manor's Zhang San had been killed, probably also a deliberate act by the Hai Sha Gang.
Zhao Rong's face darkened, flicking away the ashes from the letter next to the candle.
The Hai Sha Gang's creation of slaughter was perhaps to draw the attention of the Hengshan Sect, luring them out of the city. After all, in the region of Hengzhou Prefecture, the Hengshan Sect is revered as the leader of the orthodox forces, responsible for supporting justice and acting heroically.
In this way, those hidden behind the scenes would have an easier time targeting the Hengshan Sect.
"No wonder the fake Old Wang wanted to commit a big crime at Changrui Escort Agency!"
"The bigger the trouble, the easier it is to drag the Hengshan Sect into the fray."
"The upcoming escort tasks are definitely going to be challenging."
Understanding the situation, Zhao Rong's sense of crisis grew, and he deeply resented the Hai Sha Gang and their backers.
Touching the jade pendant around his neck, the coolness helped him calm down.
Right then, Zhao Rong sat down and once again practiced his Inner Strength according to the postures from the "Muscle-Tendon Change Scripture" and the "Sinew-Cleansing Scripture."
An hour later, his complexion was flushed with vitality.
But Zhao Rong's eyes were somewhat dim.
"Unfortunately, I know too little about acupoints and meridians, and I don't understand the secrets of Inner Strength operation in this world, never quite mastering the right method, not following the grand way."
"The two scriptures in my memory should be among the top in today's Internal Cultivation Methods."
What was Zhao Rong lacking?
A great master to lead him through the entrance.
If he could also impart some martial arts techniques, that would be even better.
Thinking of Lu Shilai, Zhao Rong felt quite dejected.
Lu was not up to the mark!
I have established merits for Changrui, I have shed blood for Changrui, I want to meet Liu.
Lu, oh Lu, why haven't you introduced me yet!
No wonder the Hengshan Sect had fallen to the level of a husband and wife store like Mount Hua, the junior training system is too lax, aren't you afraid I'll switch to Old Yue?
Griping aside, Zhao Rong still settled down to practice his martial arts.
Although he mostly relied on meditative postures for training, the speed at which his inner strength improved vastly surpassed ordinary cultivation techniques.
Of course, the effects of the jade pendant in helping one to quickly enter meditation were also indispensable.
When his grandfather returned from the fish market, Zhao Rong gave the silver for the old man to keep.
He planned to save a bit more money.
In the future, when he was capable, he could buy some reliable storefronts in Hengyang to earn a livelihood for his relatives at the Zhao Family Fort.
Since coming to this world, he had received quite a bit of care from the neighbors within the fort.
Even if it was a small kindness, Zhao Rong had not forgotten.
On the fourth day after Changrui Escort Agency took to the water, Zhao Rong, dragging his "sick body," returned to his post, where Chen, the escort agency's manager, greeted him with a smile and assigned him the least physically demanding task.
Warehouse guard duty.
Previously, Zhou single-handedly took the responsibility, but after the warehouse burned down once, the escort agency immediately added more personnel.
Just like a door god sitting outside the warehouse, this task was typically effortless unless there was trouble.
However, it wasn't part of the escort agency's rotation; only those absolutely trusted were assigned to it.
Zhao Rong had exposed a fake cook and beaten him, which could be said to have made him famous in a single battle.
As evening approached, Lu Shilai came over with a smile on his face.
"Brother Rong, I have some good news for you,"
Zhao Rong felt ecstatic inside.
Liu wants to see me?
"What's the good news?" Zhao Rong tried to keep his composure.
Lu Shilai slapped him on the shoulder:
"Congratulations, from now on, you are an escort master at Changrui Escort Agency."
"It usually takes at least three to four years to be promoted from a handyman to an escort master, you are an exception, and your monthly salary has gone from two taels to four taels."
Ah?
Zhao Rong's eyelids drooped, revealing a 'very happy' smile.
"Isn't this too fast?"
"Don't worry, it's not just the two heads of the escorts; the Deputy Head Lang also strongly supports it."
"Thank you, Lu, for nurturing me, I shall treat everyone at Qifeng Tower tomorrow!" Zhao Rong laughed and thanked.
Lu Shilai, patting his shoulder and laughing, said, "There is no need for a treat, everyone has been very busy lately, overwhelmed with endless tasks."
"The Head of the escorts has sent a letter back; he will be a few days late returning to the agency."
"But this time, many good hands from the martial world will be coming, and I will introduce you then."
"Watch and learn as much as you can, and be prepared to go on an escort mission before the year is out."
Lu Shilai then lowered his voice, speaking seriously, "I will take you out to gain experience, and when I visit my mentor at the end of the year, it will be good to speak on your behalf. With Brother Rong's talent, the chances of the master taking you as a direct disciple and entering the inner sect are very high."
"By then, I will have to rely on Brother Rong."
Zhao Rong, looking 'apprehensive', continuously bowed his fists, "Brother Lu's kindness, I will never forget now and forever!"
Lu Shilai's smile was gentle, and he looked at Zhao Rong with much more warmth in his eyes.
He revealed:
"I recently consulted with Senior Brother Xiang Da'nan, who informed me that the master is currently immersed in rhythm and does not like to be disturbed by outsiders. I want you to know, it's not that Lu is negligent."
"Brother Rong, when you have time, you should study more of the music scores, so you can respond adequately in front of the master."
"Brother Lu, please visit my house sometime, I have a knack for cooking fish, and I must show my skills and let Brother Lu taste something fresh."
"Hahaha, definitely, definitely."
Zhao Rong thanked him from the bottom of his heart and felt quite guilty for having previously spoken ill of Lu.
It appeared that the problem with Hengshan Sect's lack of strength was not the junior training or external martial scouts, but rather the overly lax management.
...