Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting from Fist Technique Deduction
Chapter 50 - 41: Escort Duty

Chapter 50: Chapter 41: Escort Duty

The next day, at 23 Heimu Street.

"Lin Yuan, my young friend, this is the guest elder token of our Tian family transportation business, please keep it safe." Manager Tian handed over a small plaque carved from black ebony with a smile, the character ’Tian’ etched in seal script, "Although our Tian family transportation business cannot compare to the main Pei family’s connections with Baiyan City and only operates around Yanghua, we are fairly well-known in Yanghua. As a third-class guest elder, you can receive two taels of Qi-Blood powder and ten taels of silver monthly."

"Upon completing the next transportation task, you can collect your reward at our Tian family’s main store." After explaining the remuneration, Manager Tian seemed to understand Lin Yuan’s thoughts: "About half a month after the goods are transported, someone will naturally come to the academy to inform you, so you can focus on your training with peace of mind. As for the escort business, you’ll understand it well after experiencing it once."

"Thank you, Manager Tian, I await your good news." Lin Yuan cupped his hands and smiled.

After this day, Lin Yuan’s life gradually returned to peace.

Each day after practicing with Zhu Lingshan, every three to five days he would demonstrate his progress in Alchemy Technique to Shen Huaining, gaining more and more satisfaction from Shen Huaining. At night, Lin Yuan would refine a portion of the Qi-Blood powder and consume it, making his days feel quite fulfilling.

Unknowingly, half a month passed quietly.

After organizing the day’s accounts, Lin Yuan looked at Gu Yongjin, who was still patrolling in the distance, and formulated a rough plan in his mind.

"The timing is not yet ripe. After my Alchemy Technique reaches the Great Achievement Realm, it will be most prudent to implement it," he thought.

With that, Lin Yuan went to the market privately during his spare time to purchase some herbs and increased the quantity of Qi-Blood powder being refined. The method for refining Qi-Blood powder had already crossed the threshold of the minor success realm.

As a result, the quality and quantity of the Qi-Blood powder continued to improve.

Through his daily secretive refining practice, his Alchemy Technique was accumulating rapidly toward completing the advance to the Great Achievement Realm of Qi-Blood, and by then, he could deduce further advancements.

*****

In the alchemy room.

"Very well, Lin Yuan, your Alchemy Technique realm is about to cross that threshold. It seems you are diligent and hardworking, putting in a lot of effort," Shen Huaining, seeing the nearly completed Qi-Blood powder, felt quite gratified.

"Thank you, Master Shen, for your guidance. Without your tutoring, I wouldn’t have reached my current progress," Lin Yuan expressed his gratitude with a smile.

"You’re too modest. Without an innate talent for alchemy, no amount of my teaching would have enabled you to refine Qi-Blood powder so quickly." Shen Huaining contemplated for a moment, then continued.

"Considering that you’ve been learning alchemy for just over a month and can almost create Qi-Blood powder, such talent is as rare as a phoenix feather."

"In a few days, when Master Yu exits his retreat, I will introduce you to him. If you can catch the eye of a Pill Master, it will greatly benefit you."

"Being able to study under Master Shen is already fulfilling; how dare I aspire to follow a Pill Master for alchemy? I wish to continue honing my alchemy skills with Master Shen." Lin Yuan immediately declined. Although it was a good opportunity, it was not something he could agree to at this moment.

If he bypassed Shen Huaining and apprenticed directly under that so-called Pill Master, it would surely make others think that Lin Yuan was using Shen Huaining as a stepping stone—a heartless backstabber—and such a reputation would be unbearable.

Furthermore, it would contradict his current strategy of steady development.

Besides, Shen Huaining did not judge people by their upbringing; Lin Yuan could see that Shen Huaining was very sincere with him, sharing the secrets of alchemy without reservation and being a respectable person in his heart.

"Yes, it does seem a bit rushed. Once you cross that alchemy threshold, I’ll teach you how to refine other powders, laying a more solid foundation so that you’ll be more prepared when you go to Pill Master Renyu." Shen Huaining felt reassured upon hearing Lin Yuan’s reply and nodded slightly, "You can delay the account work for now. After returning, practice more in the coming days, aiming to succeed as soon as possible."

"I will heed Master Shen’s teachings." Lin Yuan nodded.

Thus ended the day’s refining of the Qi-Blood powder.

Upon exiting the hall and just about to go out to buy herbs, Lin Yuan saw someone approaching.

"May I ask if you are Young Master Lin? I am a cook from the Tian family transportation business, here to inform you that tomorrow morning, you are invited to the Tian family’s main hall to participate in a transportation task. Do you have time, Young Master Lin?" The person looked around, making sure no one else was nearby before showing Lin Yuan the identity token of the Tian family transportation business, speaking quietly.

"Hmm, there’s nothing else to do these days, just the right time for leisure." Lin Yuan paused slightly and thought about Shen Huaining’s instructions, requiring him to retreat and refine Qi-Blood powder. This freed up a few days, just the right time for a trip.

During his time at the academy, he really hadn’t had much chance to understand affairs outside the academy.

"I will report back to the manager then." The person cupped his hands, told Lin Yuan the location, and then left on his own.

The next morning.

After finishing his morning exercise, Lin Yuan headed to the place the steward had mentioned.

Walking through the bustling streets, after about the time it takes to burn two incense sticks, turning a street corner, he saw a large door surrounded by high walls. Above the grand courtyard, a plaque hung, displaying ’Tian Family Transportation.’

At the entrance were two guards, their faces stern as if the words "Tian Family Private Property, No Trespassing" were written on their faces.

Lin Yuan handed over his waist token, and one of them immediately changed his demeanor, leading Lin Yuan into the courtyard.

Inside the courtyard, it was naturally bustling, with a fleet of wagons made of oiled ebony coming into view. In front, three sturdy horses were tied, looking strong and powerful, while attendants brushed their coats. Behind them, more than ten strong men were loading bags of fruits, vegetables, grains, oil, and other supplies onto the wagons.

This person naturally took Lin Yuan to where Manager Tian was.

"Guest Elder Lin, today’s escort task will trouble you to make a trip." Manager Tian greeted Lin Yuan with a polite smile as he entered.

"Thank you for looking after me, Manager Tian." Lin Yuan clasped his hands and replied solemnly.

"Haha," Manager Tian chuckled, gesturing with his right hand, "Guest Elder Lin, these are the guest elders escorting with you. Get to know each other so you can look out for one another in the future."

Following Manager Tian’s guidance, four people were watching the attendants load and unload the goods.

"Old Pan," Manager Tian called out.

A middle-aged man turned to see Manager Tian waving and nodded immediately.

As the man approached, Lin Yuan saw he had a bushy beard, a prominent nose, and bright eyes. There was a white-toothed grin, revealing the man’s coarse yet meticulous nature.

"Ensure Young Master Lin is well taken care of." Manager Tian’s smiling eyes held a hint of seriousness, his tone somewhat firm.

"Haha, don’t worry, Old Tian. Besides, this time’s escort isn’t precious goods, so safety is assured. If there are emergencies, escaping won’t be an issue." The middle-aged man patted his chest.

"Hmm," Manager Tian nodded and once again instructed Lin Yuan, "Young Master Lin, you need to follow Old Pan’s instructions for the escort task."

He feared Lin Yuan might rely on Xie Wanxin’s influence and do something reckless, even delay the escort.

"Of course, Manager Tian needn’t worry. I am from a remote village and am still a novice in martial arts, with rough and poor skills. Participating in the escort is already a blessing." Lin Yuan could sense Manager Tian’s hidden meaning and kept his demeanor humble.

His purpose for this trip was simple: just to take a look at how things operated outside the academy, gain some experience, and if he could earn a little income, that would naturally be good—just a diversion from alchemy training of late.

"In that case, I wish everyone a smooth journey and success along the way," Manager Tian resumed his usual friendly demeanor, wishing Lin Yuan and Pan Xuncheng well.

"Brother Lin, allow me to introduce the brothers who will be escorting with us this time. They’re all guest elders of the Tian family; let them introduce themselves." Pan Xuncheng pulled a few people over to introduce them to Lin Yuan after Manager Tian left.

"Gong Zhangshan," a hoarse voice sounded.

This person was very tall yet appeared somewhat thin. His cold face and indifferent tone conveyed a hint of disdain in his gaze.

"Haha, Guest Elder Lin, I am Zhou Jianxing." Another enthusiastic voice chimed in before Lin Yuan could speak. The man was rotund, resembling a plump, short radish, his face slightly red, having just enjoyed a few drinks.

"Brother Lin, don’t mind that deadpan face. Brother Ji here isn’t cut for that." A man beside Gong Zhangshan spoke in a rather sleazy tone.

"Hehehe," he chuckled.

"Ji Guoxiang, call me Brother Ji. I’m not much, but I’m somewhat known around the Zuihua House. Brother Lin, if you wish to experience it, I can make arrangements. Hehehe." Lin Yuan noticed that Ji Guoxiang was hunched, his eye sockets deep and dark, as if he had just spent three days drinking at Zuihua House.

However, Lin Yuan found his behavior quite disagreeable and could only keep at a respectful distance.

"Greetings, esteemed elders." Lin Yuan cupped his hands hurriedly, unwilling to continue the conversation.

"Step aside, step aside. What’s filling your mind? Prepare to set off. Brother Lin, Manager Tian has arranged your luggage for you." Pan Xuncheng handed Lin Yuan the food and luggage provided by the attendant, instructing everyone to prepare for departure.

The goods on the cars were already loaded and secured, and with a wave of Pan Xuncheng’s hand, they set off.

A convoy of about a dozen carriages moved majestically.

As a guest elder, Lin Yuan also had his own horse to ride, just like the other guest elders. The rest of the attendants and strong men boasted a group of about seventy to eighty people, heading out of Yanghua Town.

As time progressed, the path beneath their feet changed from broad and smooth bluestone roads to narrow and pothole-marked tracks.

What was once a crowd of people along the way gradually thinned, eventually disappearing entirely.

When the sun rose high in the sky.

The whole group, under the scorching sun, felt quite fatigued.

After finding a flat forested area to rest, Lin Yuan listened to the chatter of the people.

"Brother Lin, once this journey is over, don’t you want to try a visit to Zuihua House?" Brother Ji’s sleazy voice reached his ears.

"Brother Ji, I’m really not into that sort of thing," Lin Yuan immediately rejected, his tone serious. "Life is short, and one should embrace martial arts as a companion, travel the vast world, and witness all kinds of splendor, without succumbing to the likes of Zuihua House."

He, Lin Yuan, wasn’t interested in women!

Unless it was that someone he first encountered after crossing over? Or was it Zhu Junior Sister?

"Brother Lin, life’s just a few decades, naturally one should be like a busy bee, trying different flowers and tasting various honeys."

"How can one repay the hardship of escorting and the sweat of training if deprived of such pleasures? I see you’re still young. After this trip, Brother Ji will take you to listen to some tunes, drink some small wines. Once you’ve tasted the flavor, naturally, hey hey hey." The sleazy voice repeated.

"..."

The infectious laugh of "hey hey hey" made Lin Yuan break into a cold sweat.

Soon after, everyone moved on.

From sunrise to sunset, as they gradually entered dusk.

The escort team found a piece of open land to rest, planning to continue the journey at dawn.

Transport teams typically do not travel at night due to the lack of lighting, as the uneven roads are hard to discern, making it easy to damage the vehicles. If unfortunate enough to overturn, it would delay their schedule.

Additionally, there might be wild beasts at night. Although the team was not afraid, there could still be some inevitable casualties if one or two emerged from the deep mountains.

Hence, they usually set up camp for the night, light a bonfire, and get some good rest.

At this moment, Lin Yuan followed the team, contemplating the information he had gathered during the day.

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