I began to understand the myriad things by chopping wood

Chapter 97 Something is wrong

Xie Yuan was stunned for a moment. Yin-Yang Dart?
Yin and Yang is a term used within the escort industry. As the name suggests, a escort trip is divided into two parts, one yin and one yang, one light and one dark.

The Ming darts are huge and mighty, they can be "face darts", that is, fake darts as bait, or real darts, but not all the darts are transported;

Hidden escorts usually travel in small groups or even just one person on horseback, carrying valuable and easy-to-carry items and blending in with the travelers, making their traces almost undetectable.

Therefore, the secret escort is often the "inner escort" of a Yin-Yang escort. They carry the most valuable things and are entrusted to the most trustworthy and capable people to travel alone to ensure the safety of the escorted items.

Of course, there are also escort agencies that will do unconventional things, letting less conspicuous escorts act as secret escorts, which will not attract attention and be more concealed. But if an accident happens, the result may be hard to predict. The escort agency business is usually to play it safe. Those who like to take unconventional approaches may be able to do it for a while, but they will never last long.

Xie Yuan joined the escort agency and naturally knew all these tricks, but he had never seen the escort agency do it before.

How valuable is this time that you have to adopt this strategy?

Moreover, the hidden dart is often a more critical part. Taking this exquisite jade box which is a circle larger than his palm and feeling its slightly heavy weight, Xie Yuan secretly wondered what treasure is inside it?
"Open it and take a look. It's all in your hands anyway. This is Mr. Chang's most precious treasure. Half of the value of this escort is in the things in this box."

Zhao Xingyang saw that Xie Yuan was curious, so he opened the jade box for him without any hesitation.

Since they have already sent a secret escort, isn't it redundant to be on guard against it?
The silvery-white light instantly illuminated the room, as if a full moon had descended directly, even though it was still daytime.

The light is translucent and bright but not dazzling, making people feel relaxed and focused when looking at it.

Looking at the huge bead emitting a lustrous light, not to mention its crystal clearness, the key point is that it is bigger than a fist. Xie Yuan was stunned for a long time before he said in surprise:
"Is this... a night-shining pearl?"

"Yes, a fist-sized night-shining pearl."

Zhao Xingyang also shook his head with emotion.

Xie Yuan was speechless. He had never expected to encounter the legendary treasure. It was so big and priceless. How could Mr. Chang be willing to part with it?

He raised his doubts, and Zhao Xingyang answered:
"Our escort agency has been open for decades and has never failed. The reputation of the chief escort is the best guarantee. Everyone can trust our credibility. As for why he was willing to give up this treasure, I don't know, but I guess this is not the legendary big stuff. The color seems a little wrong."

Zhao Xingyang talked about the color difference between this bead and what he saw in ancient books. Xie Yuan compared them and found that this one did seem to have a green tint and the patterns were different. It was probably some kind of imitation or substitute.

But even so, this is a rare treasure and is worth a lot of money.

Xie Yuan asked quietly:

"Mr. Chang, have you really been to a tomb?"

"Nine out of ten times, the seniors said that he got rich too quickly. The antiques, calligraphy and paintings he bought were all genuine old items. They were all more popular than the others, and they were generous and willing to give him as much as he wanted. How could he be a serious businessman?

"It is said that he was too ostentatious back then, and someone caught him with evidence. That's why he sold off his assets and kept a low profile until now. Even his return home this time seems to be related to this."

Zhao Xingyang shared some information he had received.

Xie Yuan nodded in understanding. These wealthy families did have stories.

Then maybe there was another reason for this escort mission, which was why he wanted to move most of his wealth away.

I don't know what the reason is, but it is definitely unusual. Zhao Xingyang also smelled something, so he made such arrangements.

After all, no matter what story Mr. Chang has, since they have spent a lot of money on the escort and the escort agency has accepted it, they will have to deliver the escort no matter what they have to go through.

"Xiao Xie, go out the back door before daybreak and keep a low profile. You can arrange your own route, taking into account both safety and speed, and you don't need to tell me."

Zhao Xing waved his hand and made arrangements.

"Okay, Chief Zhao. Longteng Escort Agency, we will accomplish our mission."

Xie Yuan bowed and said with a smile.

After going out, Xie Yuan hadn't walked far when he saw the escort leader Xu Mo and several other senior escorts. Xu Mo was often on duty in the record room. At this time, he was explaining something to a few people. When he saw Xie Yuan coming over, he nodded slightly and said seriously:
"Xiao Xie, this mission is important, you have to be careful."

"Yes, Chief Xu!"

Xie Yuan bowed solemnly and did not mention the matter of the open and secret escort to anyone.

By the time everyone found out tomorrow that he wasn't with them, he would have already ridden his horse a hundred miles away from Yunzhao. The people in the escort team had fought side by side for many years and were trustworthy, but keeping it a secret even from their own people was just adding insurance to insurance.

Back in the room, Xie Yuan quietly packed his bags and made careful preparations.

Clothes, medicine, fire, and dry food.

Fresh water will be drawn tomorrow morning, and the horses will be brushed and fed with grass by special servants, who will also go directly to the stables to lead the horses tomorrow morning;

The long sword was put on, and the Moon-Cut Axe was placed in the long wooden box that had been customized a few days ago. Although it was still very eye-catching, it was much better than carrying the axe directly.

After checking once, he put the jade box and the pearl into his bag and placed it on the bedside. Xie Yuan closed his eyes and rested, silently practicing his internal energy until dawn. Then he got up, went out quietly, and left through the back door of the escort agency on horseback.

Walking out of the city, Xie Yuan rode his horse eastward and looked toward the horizon, which was just barely visible.

"We have just walked this route, and it is considered safe until Jigong Mountain. I am alone and can ride fast. But Jigong Mountain... we have to pass from the south slope, which is further south than Yushui. I don't think that even if those bandits have powerful arms, they can't cross to this side of the river."

Xie Yuan thought about it for a moment and made a decision. Although Zhao Xingyang didn't say anything, since they were going north, it would be better for him to go south. It was a tacit understanding.

It’s just that Jigong Mountain is a bit annoying, like a nail stuck in the middle.

When Xie Yuan has the ability, he wants to wipe them out for daring to block his way last time.

Xie Yuan adjusted his direction, slightly to the south, and rode at full speed.

The journey was uneventful.

Xie Yuan rode alone on a fast horse. Even if the bandits wanted to stop him, they could not. Even he himself could not believe it, but he did not encounter any trouble. He traveled day and night, and in less than three days, he arrived at Wulizhuang, Yulin County, the hometown of Mr. Chang.

It's true that we can't encounter problems every time, right?

When Xie Yuan saw the grand "Changfu" sign, he felt a little relieved.

People who have made a fortune like to build big houses in their hometowns. Even though Mr. Chang has been in Yunzhao all year round, he still built a big manor in Wuli Village, and it seems that there are many people supported in the manor.

Xie Yuan dismounted at the door and bowed to the doorman who came to greet him:
"I am Xie Yuan, an escort from Yunzhao Longteng Escort Agency, and I am here to deliver the goods home for Mr. Chang."

"Master's dart? This..."

The doorman was a little puzzled, so he asked Xie Yuan to wait for a moment and went to find the housekeeper.

When the butler came over, he was also a little surprised. It was not until Xie Yuan handed over the jade box in the study that the butler confirmed it and muttered:

"Master didn't say that?"

He picked up the pen and thought for a while before he chose the words to write a confirmation letter to Xie Yuan, completing the handover.

Xie Yuan left the manor, looked back, and frowned:

"It's strange. With such a big dart, didn't Mr. Chang inform his family first?"

He was puzzled for a while, and thinking about his previous discussion with Zhao Xingyang, he felt more and more that something was wrong.

Xie Yuan felt uneasy, so he turned his horse around and rode northwest, heading towards the direction where the Ming escort was coming.

(End of this chapter)