「The outskirts of Qingfeng Ridge.」
Luo Feng and several Escort Masters were waiting anxiously.
Young Master Lin had only told them to wait on the outskirts of Qingfeng Ridge while he went up the mountain alone.
"Young Master Lin has been up the mountain for so long. You don’t think something happened to him, do you?"
"Probably not. Young Master Lin is a member of the Lin Clan. Qingfeng Stockade wouldn’t dare lay a hand on him unless they’ve all got a death wish."
An older Escort Master shook his head, but his tone held a hint of uncertainty.
Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible, but if something extreme happened, there was no telling.
"Let’s wait a little longer. If Young Master Lin still isn’t back, we’ll go report to the Lin Family."
"Someone’s coming... It’s... It’s Young Master Lin!"
The Escort Master on lookout duty at the top of the hill suddenly shouted. Luo Feng and the others jolted, immediately looking ahead.
A hundred zhang away, a convoy of carts was slowly approaching, and walking at its very front was Lin Yan.
"Young Master Lin!"
Luo Feng and the others immediately ran forward. The goods on the carts, including the horses, belonged to their Escort Agency.
Old horses know their masters. The animals weren’t startled to see Luo Feng and his men; instead, they stopped voluntarily.
"When Young Master Lin makes a move, even Qingfeng Stockade has to show respect."
The older Escort Master was quick to offer praise. Lin Yan just smiled. "It was alright. Qingfeng Stockade was quite respectful. Check the goods, see if anything’s missing."
Lin Yan had found this shipment in Qingfeng Stockade’s warehouse. The carts and crates were all there, but the crates had been opened. They were filled with medicinal herbs.
"That’s right, seven crates in total."
"Good, as long as nothing is missing."
Lin Yan nodded, then pulled a stack of silver banknotes from his robes. "These three thousand taels in silver banknotes also belong to your Escort Agency. Take them back with you."
Seeing Lin Yan produce the silver banknotes, Luo Feng and the others were stunned. ’Was Qingfeng Stockade really that accommodating?’
It was already a huge show of respect for Qingfeng Stockade to return the goods on account of Young Master Lin’s status. They never expected to get the silver banknotes back as well.
The men exchanged glances. It seemed they had underestimated the Lin Family’s influence in Qing State.
Young Master Lin was just a member of a branch family, yet he could make Qingfeng Stockade obediently hand over the goods and money. If a member from the Lin Family’s main house were to arrive, Qingfeng Stockade would probably have to offer a formal apology and compensation.
After escorting Luo Feng and his men back to the city with the shipment, Lin Yan took his leave.
’This trip has been a huge haul. I need to get back and take stock of it all.’
「Guangping County.」
Yang Qingfeng was leisurely sipping tea in his backyard. Although the number of Martial Arts Academy Disciples had increased this year, he felt more relaxed than ever.
Li An was proving very competent at instructing the new disciples, so there was no need for him to worry too much. But the main reason was that while there were many disciples this year, none showed the same promise as Linyuan or Lin Yan. There wasn’t even anyone on par with Zhuang Zheng.
"Master, Escort Leader Zhang from the Seven Stars Escort Agency is here."
A disciple reported from the courtyard entrance. Yang Qingfeng stood up and watched Zhang Xiuyuan walk in, smiling. "Brother Zhang, what brings you here today? Passing through on an escort mission?"
"Brother Yang, can’t I have come especially to see you?"
"Cut it out. A busy man like you would never make a special trip just to see me."
"Alright, I can’t hide it from you, Brother Yang. I really did come to ask for a favor," Zhang Xiuyuan said with a wry smile.
Yang Qingfeng’s smile faded slightly. He gestured for his disciple to leave, then said, "Brother Zhang, please speak freely. If it’s something I can help with, I’ll certainly do my utmost."
"It’s like this. One of the Escort Leaders from my agency was transporting a shipment to the Qing State region when he was waylaid by a group of mountain bandits..."
After listening to Zhang Xiuyuan’s account, Yang Qingfeng hesitated. He immediately knew why Zhang Xiuyuan had come to him.
His own disciple, Lin Yan, was in Qing State and was also a member of a branch of the Lin Clan.
Yang Qingfeng pondered for a moment before speaking. "Since the two Village Chiefs of Qingfeng Stockade are at the Fourth-Time of Skin Smoothing, I’ll go to Qing State with you, Brother Zhang."
"Thank you, Brother Yang."
Zhang Xiuyuan cupped his fists. He had hoped that Brother Yang would write a letter to Lin Yan to see if he had a solution, since it would take them a long time to travel there. However, he could also understand Brother Yang’s reasoning.
Lin Yan had not been in Qing State for long and might not have established a firm footing in the Lin Family yet. If Brother Yang wrote to him, even just to ask about the situation, Lin Yan’s respect for him would compel him to get involved.
If Lin Yan had already secured his position, it would be fine. But if he had not, and he used the Lin Family’s name to intimidate Qingfeng Stockade, word might get back to the Lin Family, and the Powerhouses there might become displeased with him.
This was Brother Yang’s concern, and it was also why Zhang Xiuyuan had not asked him directly.
「Wangshui County.」
"Brother Yang, we can’t enter the city. I’m afraid we’ll have to travel through the night. My apologies."
Zhang Xiuyuan glanced at the sky. To reach Qing State as quickly as possible, they would have to travel day and night.
Yang Qingfeng laughed. "Brother Zhang, don’t be so formal with me. With our strength, we could go three days and three nights without sleep and be fine. Business comes first."
"Alright, then I won’t be so polite, Brother Yang."
The group prepared to bypass the city. However, from the direction of Wangshui County’s gates, several fast horses came galloping toward them, and a voice called out from afar, "Escort Leader Zhang, please wait!"
Zhang Xiuyuan reined in his horse and looked toward the rider from the city gate. He said to Yang Qingfeng, "Brother Yang, that’s Manor Master Liu from Wangshui County. He’s a long-time client of our Seven Stars Escort Agency."
"Ah, I’ve heard of him. More than half the waterways in Wangshui County are the Liu Family’s territory. They call him Liu Banshui."
Yang Qingfeng nodded, while Zhang Xiuyuan rode a few zhang forward to meet him and asked, "Manor Master Liu, what brings you here?"

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