Steam-powered martial arts: My virginity cultivation technique has been broken.

On the opening day, to bring good luck, Liu Mazi asked a fortune teller to set the time for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Just as dawn was breaking, the red silk covering the Changkong Escort Agency's signboard was pulled back, followed by the lighting of firecrackers and the performance of dragon and lion dances, creating a lively atmosphere.

The bodyguards of Changkong Escort Agency all wore black leather overcoats made of beast-grade leather, which was stain-resistant, waterproof, fireproof, puncture-proof, and slash-proof, comparable to a refined gold item.

The inner lining is a well-fitting martial arts uniform, in black, white, and gray, corresponding to the chief镖头 (chief镖头),镖头级 (镖头级), and 普通镖师 (ordinary镖师) respectively.

Ku Ning and his three companions, all dressed in black, stood on the steps. Zhen Kong was the chief镖头 (chief镖头, head镖师, head镖师), Ku Ning and Wang Sanpao were the deputy chief镖头, and Liu Mazi was the chief steward and head accountant. Below them were forty-nine镖师, arranged in seven rows. In addition to their own weapons, they were also equipped with standard steel short swords hanging at their waists. They clasped their fists and roared, "Greetings, Chief镖头!" Their voices were loud and their aura was imposing.

Vacuum announced, "Today marks the opening of my Changkong Escort Agency. All commissions made within the next three days, regardless of size, will be offered at a 20% discount!"

The surrounding crowd applauded enthusiastically; the attire and demeanor of the Changkong Escort Agency clearly indicated their professionalism.

At that opportune moment, Liu Yu spoke up from the crowd: "My Liu family is willing to cooperate with Changkong Escort Agency in the long term! All cargo escorts will be entrusted to Changkong Escort Agency!"

Doing business thrives on excitement and mutual support. With the Liu family leading the way, smaller families that depended on the Liu family for their livelihood followed suit. Ordinary people, attracted by the excitement, also tentatively inquired about the business, mainly asking if they could provide escort services. For ordinary people, hiring a single escort was too expensive and they couldn't afford it.

Liu Mazi excitedly tallied the figures, his mouth practically agape: "Goods can be transported by镖 (镖局, a type of security escort service), but people can't. Our镖局 currently has two main routes: one south, reaching as far as Jiangzhou; and the other east, to Dongdu and Laicheng." He then pointed to the route information board behind him: "In the future, any new routes opened or specially commissioned routes will be posted here. Those interested in using镖 (镖) can take note."

"For particularly valuable items, you can choose to pay a guarantee fee, and we will compensate you if they are lost."

These were all Ku Ning's ideas. Most escort agencies are very cautious about escorting goods, fearing that the client will be displeased. Ku Ning believes that doing business is about taking on both big and small clients, and he even considers escorting goods as important as taking on regular escorts. In any case, apart from the Liu family's escorts, no other major families would cooperate with them, so they might as well take on more small jobs.

The Liu family's main source of grain is Jiangzhou, with any surplus sold to Dongdu. These are the two routes they've set up for them. Young Master Liu is also a shareholder, so he doesn't care about the escort duties; he'll get a share of the profits anyway.

"Hey, this bunch of bandits are really putting on a show."

A jarring, discordant voice shattered the lively atmosphere of the镖局 (镖局 is a type of security escort agency in China). A group of people from other镖局 arrived: "Aren't you afraid of being scammed by bandits? A leopard can't change its spots."

The men from Changkong Escort Agency angrily retorted, "What did you say?!" As they spoke, they picked up their weapons, ready to attack.

Ku Ning raised his hand to stop their impulsive behavior, and then said to the newcomers, "We're all in the same industry, there's no need to cause trouble on the day of the opening."

The leader pointed at Ku Ning's nose and cursed, "You're bandits, who's your accomplice? We don't agree with that."

Ku Ning waved his hand behind him, and Liu Mazi, understanding the implication, pulled out the certificate: "This is a certificate issued by the government. You're calling us bandits, are you questioning the government? If so, we'll have to go to the government office."

The visitors clearly hadn't expected them to produce evidence so readily. They had thought the other party would try to argue or even resort to violence, which would escalate the situation.

The surrounding people were pointing and whispering. It was indeed official documentation. Moreover, the people from Changkong Escort Agency were dressed neatly, while this group of people were dressed in a mess. It was easy to tell who looked more like a bandit.

"Look at their clothes, the collars are all black, they're filthy. I think they're the real bandits."

"Yes, they all look fierce and menacing."

"Some of the people from Changkong Escort Agency aren't good-looking either, but at least they're clean."

"Not all of them. Look at that deputy chief镖头 (chief镖头, a term for a high-ranking镖头 in Chinese镖局, meaning镖局, a type of镖头) at Changkong镖局, he's quite handsome. To become a deputy chief镖头 at such a young age, he must be very capable."

His statement, which seemed to base his values ​​on physical appearance, infuriated the visitor: "You've all been fooled by their looks..."

Before the man could say anything more, an old man stopped him, stepped out of the crowd, and bowed to Ku Ning: "Chief Escort An, they are ignorant and believe everything they hear. I am the steward of the Zhao family, and I have a shipment that I would like to discuss with you."

Ku Ning knew the visitors were up to no good. Since one plan had failed, he devised another: "When business comes knocking, there's no reason to refuse. Our escort fees aren't cheap."

The old man raised his voice: "In this Shannan City, there is no escort fee that my Zhao family cannot afford."

Upon hearing the name of the Zhao family, everyone around fell silent. Ku Ning maintained his smile and gestured for them to come inside: "Let's discuss this further."

The Zhao family, the same family to which the deceased Zhao the Giant belonged, mainly dealt in valuable timber in Shannan City and had connections with many powerful and influential families.

In the newly renovated reception hall of Changkong Escort Agency, Ku Ning and Zhen Kong received the old man, who then explained the contents of the shipment: "My Zhao family has purchased a piece of Heavenly Fate Wood in Anlu, which needs to be transported to Changxing Pavilion in Fengcheng, Wuzhou. I wonder if your esteemed escort agency dares to take on this task?"

Ku Ning frowned: "Taking on escort missions outside? That will cost extra. Our escort fees are based on the distance, the danger of the route, and the value of the goods. It takes a day to ride a horse from Shannan City to Anlu, and almost half a day by train. From Anlu to Wuzhou Fengcheng, the train can only go as far as Nandu. The rest of the route is mostly waterway and mountain road, where bandits and demons roam. It will take at least ten days."

After speaking, he looked at the vacuum and asked, "Chief Escort, what is the value of the Heavenly Fate Wood?"

Vacuum said, "Heavenly Fate Wood is priceless and often used in advanced alchemy. It's not something ordinary people can afford. If we were to set a price, it would have to be at least three million dragon dollars. In addition, Heavenly Fate Wood has a strong attraction to wood-attribute demons. The mountains in the south are high and the forests are dense, making this journey extremely dangerous."

Vacuum's analysis was insightful and exposed his scheme, causing the old man's face to darken. He then provoked the old man, saying, "It seems your Changkong Escort Agency doesn't dare take this job?"

After a moment's thought, Ku Ning calmly said, "What is there to be afraid of? I'm just worried that your Zhao family might be stingy with money. We're going to collect 100,000 silver dollars for this shipment."

The old man laughed angrily: "The top-tier escort agencies in the city only ask for ten or twenty thousand silver dollars. What makes you think you're so great as to ask for one hundred thousand? Do you really think the Zhao family is a sucker? Or are you just trying to raise the price because you're too embarrassed to refuse?"

Ku Ning stood up, intending to see the guests out: "I said the price would be based on the value of the goods. A treasure like the Heavenly Fate Wood wouldn't be unreasonable to charge two or three hundred thousand. You were just boasting about the Zhao family's wealth, but it seems you're nothing special after all."

The old man's expression shifted between anger and uncertainty. He gritted his teeth and said, "Ten thousand it is, but I want insurance. You just said that as long as I'm insured, you'll compensate me for any lost goods."