Chapter 20: A Visit

Chapter 20: A Visit

Handing over the visiting card, Su Mo stood quietly before the gate, waiting.

Lifting his eyes, he saw the Iron Blood flag fluttering in the wind.

The characters on the signboard were bold and dynamic, like iron strokes and silver hooks.

This was the Iron Blood Escort Agency!

It had been seven days since Su Mo returned to Sunset City and the Ziyang Escort Agency.

For these seven days, Su Mo once again enjoyed a life of seclusion, rarely leaving the house.

Every morning, he practiced martial arts after waking up. After breakfast, he would inevitably go to the study to read.

An hour later, he continued practicing martial arts until lunchtime.

In the afternoon, he took a brief rest and repeated the morning routine.

Life was simple, almost monotonous.

However, he found it pleasant and did not feel anything was amiss.

The only thing was that Uncle Fu kept urging him to visit the Iron Blood Escort Agency sooner.

After seven consecutive days, Su Mo finally gave in, bringing the visiting card prepared by Uncle Fu, and came to the Iron Blood Escort Agency.

Handing over the visiting card, the gatekeeper went inside to report. Soon, a middle-aged man emerged.

"Master Su, please follow me."

Though not overly enthusiastic, this person was not cold either, smiling warmly like a gentle breeze.

Su Mo thanked him and followed behind.

After several years, stepping into the Iron Blood Escort Agency again evoked indescribable feelings in Su Mo.

He couldn't help but recall Yang Xiaoyun's words at the Ten Li Pavilion.

The person was still the same person, the city was still the same city, seemingly unchanged yet different in every way.

But memories were fleeting, and the summer breeze blew them away, leaving nothing behind.

Turning past the screen wall, they passed through a large courtyard where escort guards were diligently training. Under the watchful or curious gazes of the guards, they walked through several corridors before arriving at the main hall.

Entering the hall, the guide said:

"Master Su, please take a seat; the Chief Escort will be here shortly."

After saying this, he clapped gently: "Someone, bring tea."

Immediately, a servant brought tea and then everyone left the hall, leaving Su Mo alone with the cup of tea on the table, staring at each other.

A moment later, he shook his head lightly, picked up the teacup, and used the lid to stir the leaves floating on the surface, taking a sip.

"At least they didn't serve me Full Sky Stars."

Su Mo gave a bitter smile. The tea was probably good, but he wasn't a connoisseur. The highest praise he could muster was simply: tasty.

Unfortunately, even the best food loses its flavor if eaten too often.

Even the best tea becomes overwhelming if drunk too much.

After drinking four or five cups, Su Mo felt a splash of water in his stomach when he moved slightly.

And the Chief Escort who was supposed to arrive "shortly" still hadn't shown up, perhaps lost somewhere along life's journey...

Yet Su Mo remained unperturbed, sitting calmly as if nothing was amiss.

After a while, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from outside the hall. Turning his head, he saw Yang Xiaoyun walking briskly into the hall, her hair flying.

She immediately noticed Su Mo: "You're here!!!"

This girl was still full of energy, her eyes sparkling with genuine joy.

"I waited for you at home for seven whole days, and you didn't come. If you hadn't come today, I would have gone to the Ziyang Escort Agency to drag you back."

Su Mo smiled: "Since we had an agreement, I couldn't break my word."

"Honoring one's word is what a true man does."

As she spoke, she scanned the hall: "Where's Father?"

"I haven't seen the Chief Escort."

Su Mo's lips curved into a slight smile.

"Hmph."

Yang Xiaoyun frowned slightly: "Forget him. Come with me."

Without any concern for propriety, she grabbed Su Mo's hand and led him out.

Su Mo hesitated slightly but did not resist, merely nodding slightly towards the depths of the hall before leaving.

The two quickly disappeared from the hall.

Only then did someone emerge from the inner courtyard.

The man was tall and slim, standing upright like a long spear.

His eyes gleamed with a profound inner light, indicating deep internal martial arts cultivation.

But at this moment, his brows were slightly furrowed, as if he was somewhat puzzled.

The middle-aged man leading the way came to stand behind him:

"Chief Escort, this young master Su seems not to be as incompetent as the rumors suggest. He... seems to have noticed our covert observation."

Yang Yizhi remained silent for a moment before closing his eyes:

"Tell him when he leaves that he should come here less often when there's nothing important."

"And now..."

The middle-aged man hesitated, clearly uncertain.

Yang Yizhi turned to leave, seemingly unwilling to answer. After a few steps, he paused and murmured, "After all, they grew up together. Even if their fates are not meant to be, this moment is precious. Let them be."

"Yes."

The middle-aged man nodded slightly and then turned to leave.

...

...

"The Iron Blood Escort Agency is indeed growing stronger, with truly remarkable talents. The person who led me in today had a certain demeanor. When did Uncle Yang recruit such a skilled individual?"

As Su Mo followed Yang Xiaoyun deeper into the escort agency, he casually mentioned it in conversation.

"Oh, you mean Uncle Xu? His name is Xu Ruoshen, and he has a nickname, Cloud-Catching Hand. Father met him on the rivers and lakes over the past couple of years and later invited him to join the escort agency. Father holds him in high regard, considering him a right-hand man."

"Why do you suddenly ask about this?"

Yang Xiaoyun looked at Su Mo.

Su Mo smiled: "Nothing, just curious."

He was even more curious about why Yang Yizhi's attitude towards him was so strange.

Allowing him to enter but avoiding him, instead hiding and observing from the shadows.

This conclusion was based on what Yang Xiaoyun had said earlier.

The person who led him in was highly regarded by Yang Yizhi, and one of the two people observing him from the shadows had a unique breathing pattern similar to Xu Ruoshen.

This indicated that he practiced a specific internal martial art with a distinctive breathing technique.

Yang Xiaoyun mentioned that Yang Yizhi considered this person a right-hand man, suggesting a significant position within the Iron Blood Escort Agency.

Who else could be following closely behind him except Yang Yizhi?

Moreover, this was the Iron Blood Escort Agency; only the Chief Escort would dare to observe so openly.

Before he could ponder further, Yang Xiaoyun's voice rang in his ear:

"I see. But in the rivers and lakes, it's best not to be too curious about everything. Many people have died because of excessive curiosity."

"Since we finally get to meet, let's not talk about these things. Why don't I test your martial arts skills?"

"Hmm?"

Su Mo turned to look at Yang Xiaoyun, only to see her smile mischievously:

"Watch out for my move!!"

With those words, she struck with a single palm, swift and precise.

Her technique was clean and sharp, though without any internal energy, it was still remarkably fierce.