Chapter 155: Delivering the Escort

Chapter 155: Delivering the Escort

Most of the sects in the world of martial arts are hidden deep within the mountains and forests.

The tranquility of the woods, free from the hustle and bustle of the mundane world, is perfect for the disciples to practice diligently.

However, Haoran Academy is different.

This place is called Haoran City!

Haoran Academy is located right in the center of the city.

The four gates are always open, with students dressed as scholars coming and going at all times.

Some walk in groups of three or two, while others hold their books, reading even as they walk.

Su Mo, Yang Xiaoyun, and Zhen Xiaoxiao approached, and saw a scholar sitting by the gate put down his book and look up at them:

"Three of you, please stop for a moment!"

Su Mo and the others halted, and the scholar smiled and said:

"You three don't seem to be from Haoran Academy, do you? I apologize, but the academy has some important matters to attend to recently. If you are not part of the academy, entry is temporarily prohibited."

Yang Xiaoyun was taken aback:

"Haoran Academy's gates have always been open. The former headmaster once said that education should be accessible to all, and no one has ever been forbidden from entering the academy.

"While it's true that one needs a certain foundation to enter the inner academy,

"the main gates are rarely closed."

"Ha ha ha."

The scholar laughed: "Lady, you are absolutely right. Our Haoran Academy has never closed its doors. Anyone with a desire to learn can enter and study here.

"However, this is a time when Haoran Academy is holding its biennial literary and martial competitions.

"With so many people around, it might cause inconvenience, so we are not welcoming outsiders for now."

Yang Xiaoyun couldn't help but glance at Su Mo: "Our luck is quite good. The literary and martial competitions of Haoran Academy are grand events, and we've managed to catch them.

"Brother, we didn't come here to seek education at Haoran Academy, but to find someone."

"Find someone?"

The scholar was surprised and immediately nodded: "If that's the case, please tell me the name of the person you're looking for, and I will go inside and call them out for you."

"Alright, we are looking for the head of Iron Blood Escort Agency, Yang Yizhi."

"Iron Blood Escort Agency... Yang... Yang Yizhi? Senior Yang?"

The scholar suddenly looked up: "May I ask your names, please?"

Su Mo clasped his hands: "I am Su Mo, the head of Ziyang Escort Agency in Sunset City."

"Deputy head... Yang Xiaoyun."

Yang Xiaoyun also reported her name.

"Zhen Xiaoxiao!!"

Zhen Xiaoxiao clasped her hands and took a deep breath.

The scholar was stunned, thinking that 'Zhen Xiaoxiao' sounded a bit unreliable, but then muttered: "Yang Xiaoyun?"

After a pause, he hurriedly said: "Please wait a moment."

He quickly tucked his book into his belt, grabbed a passing student to watch the gate for him, and rushed into Haoran Academy using a very agile step technique.

Zhen Xiaoxiao, seeing how hurried he was, patted her stomach: "He's not going to eat, is he?"

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged glances and smiled.

Su Mo shook his head lightly: "Haoran Academy has a unique atmosphere, quite unexpected."

"Indeed."

Yang Xiaoyun nodded and said: "Father often says that East City is home to many sects, including the seven major ones. But the real talent lies in Haoran Academy. However, these people are so focused on their studies that few have made a name for themselves in the martial world."

As they spoke, the scholar who had left in a hurry returned just as quickly.

"So fast?"

Zhen Xiaoxiao was stunned.

But then she saw the scholar pulling another middle-aged scholar behind him.

They stopped, and the middle-aged scholar looked at Yang Xiaoyun and nodded:

"It really is you, little girl?"

"Uncle Liuyun."

Yang Xiaoyun quickly greeted him and then introduced him to Su Mo: "This is Uncle Liuyun, Father's close friend and the current deputy head of Haoran Academy."

Hearing this, Su Mo immediately clasped his fists and bowed: "Su Mo of the Ziyang Escort Agency, greetings to Senior Liuyun."

"Ziyang Escort Agency..."

Liuyun Scholar sized up Su Mo from head to toe, then suddenly smiled: "Ziyang Escort Agency... It has truly been a long time. In the past, I had several encounters with your father. To see the son of an old acquaintance now is truly touching, reminding me how swiftly time passes."

"Come, come, no need to stand outside talking. I'll take you to meet Chief Yang."

With that, he led the three of them into the Haoran Academy.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun once again clasped their fists and bowed to the scholar, thanking him for passing on their message.

The scholar waved his hand dismissively, then casually pulled out a book from his waist and opened it, quickly immersing himself in it as if unable to tear himself away.

...

...

Under the guidance of Liuyun Scholar, they entered the Haoran Academy.

From time to time, the sound of reciting books would ring in their ears.

Occasionally, the clash of swords could be heard.

As they walked further inside, Su Mo's eyes were opened wide.

Liuyun Scholar said, "A while ago, your father suddenly came to the Haoran Academy. He said that Cloud-Catching Hand Xu Ruoshen was harmed by someone within the grounds of the Haoran Academy. He insisted on seeing the Chancellor to demand an explanation...

"Truly unreasonable and obstinate.

"Are you here to forcibly take him away?"

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun were taken aback, feeling somewhat amused and helpless at the same time.

"Who can move him? You know him better than I do, having known him for many years. His temper is something even I, as his daughter, don't fully understand."

Yang Xiaoyun's words carried a hint of helplessness, especially after learning that Yang Yizhi had kept many things from her and Su Mo.

"That is true..."

Liuyun Scholar smiled and said, "But I was just joking with you. What kind of person is your father? The one who secretly harmed Xu Ruoshen has already been apprehended by him.

"It just so happens that the Haoran Academy is holding both literary and martial competitions. The Chancellor has kept him here to watch the events."

"I see."

Yang Xiaoyun was instantly enlightened.

Su Mo, however, recalled what Zhang and Li, the two escort captains, had said, and couldn't help but laugh.

The Haoran Academy was vast, and the deeper they went, the more scholars they encountered.

Suddenly, the scene before them opened up, and the noise grew louder.

There were several platforms set up, each with scholars engaged in competition.

The crowd around them was thick, and the cheers and jeers were loud, creating quite a commotion.

Seeing this, Yang Xiaoyun smiled and said, "Today is the martial competition?"

"Yes, the literary competition ended yesterday. For the next three days, it will be the martial competition.

"Oh, by the way, besides your father, there are others here watching the events..."

As he spoke, he pointed.

On a high platform on one side of the courtyard, a group of people were seated.

In the center sat an elderly scholar with a unique appearance, full of vigor, his eyes sharp and searching the platforms for something interesting.

To his left sat a middle-aged man, wearing a purple cap and a purple jade hairpin, his age hard to discern, his eyes calm and composed, unlike any ordinary person.

To his right was Yang Yizhi.

To the left of the empty seat, which should have been Liuyun Scholar's, sat Yang Yizhi.

But to Yang Yizhi's right was a person neither Su Mo nor Yang Xiaoyun had expected to see.

This person was not sitting on a chair but in a sedan chair.

Dressed in white like a young master, he held a basin in his hands and was casually taking a bite out of a meat bun.

Zhen Xiaoxiao watched, her mouth watering.

The young master, upon seeing something interesting, was speaking to Yang Yizhi.

Yang Yizhi's face was stern, seemingly ignoring him.

Su Mo's expression was peculiar. This person... he had actually encountered him again in the Haoran Academy?

He didn't know the person's background, yet he could sit among these people of the Haoran Academy.

Although he was at the far right, it was still a significant position.

Just then, Liuyun Scholar said:

"That person in purple is dressed like a bunch of seaweed and is from the Purple Sun Sect."

"This person is truly of noble status. The headmaster originally intended to seat him at the main seat, but he said it would be inappropriate to overshadow the host, so he sat at the first seat on the left."

Saying this, he glanced at Su Mo: "Chief Escort Su, do you know this person?"

Su Mo shook his head with a smile: "Since my father's passing, the Ziyang Escort Agency has declined for years, with few visitors. I was young and inexperienced, unable to uphold the family legacy. Only recently have I started to try to restore its former glory. As a result, we haven't had much communication with the Purple Sun Sect for a long time."

"I see."

Scholar Liuyun nodded: "It's normal that you don't know him. However, he seems to have been a close friend of your father. Didn't he visit you in Sunset City?"

Su Mo laughed bitterly: "No, he didn't."

"Hmm... It seems something happened to the Purple Sun Sect, as they haven't had any disciples wandering the world for years."

"There must be some difficulties they face, which is understandable."

Scholar Liuyun nodded and pointed to the young man in white: "This person looks young but holds a significant position. When you meet him later, try to build a good relationship; it will benefit you in the future."

"Oh?"

Yang Xiaoyun was somewhat surprised: "To receive such praise from Uncle Liuyun, I wonder what his background is?"

"Do you know about the Xuanhu Pavilion?"

Scholar Liuyun asked mysteriously.

"..."

Su Mo shook his head without hesitation.

He had indeed never heard of it.

Yang Xiaoyun thought for a moment and also shook her head: "I've never heard of it either."

"That's quite normal."

Scholar Liuyun sighed: "The founding patriarch of the Xuanhu Pavilion made a grand vow to heal the world, hence the name Xuanhu Pavilion. In the early days, the Xuanhu Pavilion was filled with healers who traveled the world, treating people from all walks of life.

"Later, something happened, and the Xuanhu Pavilion became less prominent, choosing instead to remain hidden from the world, with few members wandering the lands.

"However, even if you don't know the Xuanhu Pavilion, there is one person you should know..."

He paused here, looking at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun.

Both were puzzled by this sudden suspense.

Scholar Liuyun sighed: "Toxic Dragon Son..."

Toxic Dragon Son!

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun were both startled.

"Is Toxic Dragon Son from the Xuanhu Pavilion?"

Su Mo was surprised.

"Yes, indeed."

Scholar Liuyun nodded: "The Xuanhu Pavilion has a deep history, spanning hundreds of years, dating back to the Great Xuan Dynasty.

"There are many records about this in various books in the Haoran Academy.

"While these historical records may lack detail, if many books record the same event, it's hard to say it's purely fabricated.

"However, there are no records of what exactly happened to the Xuanhu Pavilion or why it disappeared.

"After that incident, the Xuanhu Pavilion went into seclusion, and when Toxic Dragon Son emerged, someone asked about his origins...

"It was then discovered that he was from the Xuanhu Pavilion.

"However, this information is scarce, and people are more interested in the medicines he left behind and the legends of his cultivation in the mountains.

"But few are willing to delve into his origins."

He paused, then smiled: "However, although the Xuanhu Pavilion is little known, the headmaster, having read extensively and traveled widely, had the fortune to meet a high-ranking member of the Xuanhu Pavilion.

"Since then, they have maintained contact for decades.

"This time, a descendant of the Xuanhu Pavilion has entered the world, and their first stop is the Haoran Academy.

"It just happens to coincide with the literary and martial competitions, providing a good opportunity to observe.

"To think, he arrived not long before you did, quite a coincidence."

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged glances, surprised that the young man they had seen in the teahouse, who seemed inexperienced, had such a significant background.

They now understood why Scholar Liuyun said that building a relationship with him would benefit their future.

The Xuanhu Pavilion is full of healers, and it produced a master like Toxic Dragon Son, skilled in both medicine and poison.

So, this young man in white must also be an expert in this field.

While the world isn't just about fighting, human relationships are often more important.

But fights are inevitable, and no one can guarantee they will never be injured.

If one could meet a great physician, the benefits would naturally be self-evident.

Casually chatting along the way, this Scholar Liuyun led the three to the vicinity of the high platform.

Footsteps sounded, especially the rumbling noise like a rolling dragon made by Zhen Xiaoxiao, which naturally caught the attention of several people on the high platform.

Everyone turned around, and the old Dean recognized Yang Xiaoyun, nodding with a smile.

The expert from the Purple Sun Sect, however, glanced at Su Mo, his calm eyes showing a faint ripple.

Seeing Yang Xiaoyun and Su Mo, Yang Yizhi snorted coldly and was about to stand up and leave with a flick of his sleeve.

Suddenly, a voice from beside the Pavilion of the Vessel of Mercy exclaimed:

"It's you! Are you here to watch the spectacle at Haoran Academy too?"

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun looked at each other, speechless.

They heard the old Dean laugh and say, "Little Situ, do you know these three?"

"I had a brief encounter on the road, seeing them punish the wicked and eliminate evil, truly setting an example for our generation."

The young master smiled and said, "I didn't expect that after parting ways in the teahouse, we would meet again here at Haoran Academy. What a coincidence."

"Indeed, a coincidence."

Su Mo smiled, clasped his hands in greeting, and bowed to the old Dean: "This humble student from Sunset City's Ziyang Escort Agency, Su Mo, greets the Dean."

"Ziyang Escort Agency..."

Before the Dean could speak, the expert from the Purple Sun Sect spoke first, muttering these four words before suddenly looking at Su Mo.

His eyes seemed to contain flowing flames, with a purple aura flashing in them.

In an instant, a powerful aura erupted, enveloping Su Mo entirely.

He exhaled and spoke, his tone calm and steady yet carrying an indescribable authority:

"Are you Su Tianyang's son?"

Su Mo's eyebrows slightly raised. Hearing this name from someone else's mouth did indeed feel somewhat strange.

But he nodded and casually waved his hand, causing the invisible aura in the air to dissipate instantly.

"Su Mo greets the senior."

The expert from the Purple Sun Sect was slightly taken aback, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes, then he suddenly glared at Yang Yizhi.

Yang Yizhi snorted coldly, "Why are you here?"

"Dad..."

"Silence!"

With just one word, Yang Yizhi angrily shouted, "It was clearly stated at the Iron Blood Escort Agency that once you left with this person, you would have no further connection with the Iron Blood Escort Agency. You would no longer be my daughter... Now, to hear you call me 'dad' is something I cannot accept."

Yang Xiaoyun's face immediately changed.

Su Mo had warned her that Yang Yizhi would not react well upon seeing her, but she hadn't expected him to say such things in front of everyone.

For a moment, she stood there, unsure of what to say.

The expert from the Purple Sun Sect snorted coldly:

"Yang Yizhi, what do you mean by 'leaving with this person'? As far as I know, they were already betrothed, a match arranged by you and Su Tianyang, right?

"So, now that Su Tianyang is dead, you plan to renege on your promise?"

"What I decide has nothing to do with you. Or does the Purple Sun Sect intend to meddle in my affairs? What were you all doing all those years ago?"

"Hmm?"

The expert from the Purple Sun Sect was taken aback, intending to retort but suddenly closed his mouth for some reason.

The old Dean looked at Yang Yizhi with a peculiar expression:

"This doesn't seem right. If there was a prior agreement, why break it later? Head of the Escort Agency Yang, your actions are unexpected and unreasonable."

"What? Does the old Dean also intend to teach me how to behave?"

Yang Yizhi stood up abruptly, his aura surging.

The old Dean pursed his lips: "This man has lived half a lifetime, yet the older he gets, the less he understands. I see this child as extraordinary. If your daughter doesn't wish to marry him, I might consider whether I have a granddaughter..."

These words didn't sound quite right.

A granddaughter either exists or doesn't; there shouldn't be a situation where one needs to check if they have one.

Scholar Liuyun hadn't expected the father and daughter to meet in such a manner, feeling quite awkward.

But then he saw Su Mo suddenly clasp his hands and speak:

"Head of the Escort Agency Yang, please calm down. I am here on behalf of Wufangji, delivering a consignment to you...

"Here is the contract."

As he spoke, he took out the contract and handed it to Yang Yizhi, then removed the package and presented it with both hands.

"This is the cargo, please Chief Yang verify it, so that I, Su, can complete this mission."