After all the training was completed, Zhao Ya stood straight like a spear, a flash of light in his eyes, and the attribute panel that only he could see had already opened.
Name: Zhao Ya. Age: 17 years. Remaining life span: 45 (+43 days) years
Skills: Eight Vajra Skills (Refined Skill 87/5000) Five Tiger Fist (Refined Skill 193/5000) Gale Saber Technique (Refined Skill 57/5000) Lightweight Grasshopper Skill (Mastery 1042/2000) Swallow’s Three Dips (Mastery 844/2000)
[Heart Unlock Progress: 54%]
Looking at these numbers, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but frown slightly.
The martial progress during this period has obviously slowed down.
For instance, with the Eight Vajra Skills, sometimes Zhao Ya practices for several days just to increase a bit of mastery value.
In addition, the heart unlock speed has only increased by 4%.
All of this made Zhao Ya somewhat anxious.
But he also knew that this phenomenon was unavoidable.
After all, with the increase of his own strength, the Eight Vajra Skills and Five Tiger Fist had been practiced to an extremely profound realm by Zhao Ya.
At this point, wanting to make further progress, the difficulty is imaginable.
It seems that I should find a way to learn some more profound martial arts.
After all, whether it’s Five Tiger Fist or Gale Saber Technique, in Jianghu they are actually considered second-rate martial arts, genuine commonplace skills.
But where to learn them?
Chief of the Escort Meng Lei does have a few unique skills, but those are for saving his life and he wouldn’t easily teach them to others.
Zhao Ya silently pondered, and the earlier touch of anxiety had already dissipated.
Because he knew, there is no shortcut in Martial Dao.
If one wants to become stronger, to possess enough power, or even to achieve longevity, then one must have the heart of a Martial Artist that is courageous and diligent, unafraid of hardship.
"Ya, the wind outside is a bit cool, come inside and sleep quickly!" Zui’Er stood at the door and called softly.
Zhao Ya turned back to look at Zui’Er under the light, seeing her dressed lightly, looking at him shyly and timidly, he couldn’t help but smile.
"Alright, I’ll go take a bath first."
Zui’Er’s face turned even redder, hurriedly turning around and going back inside.
A moment later, when Zhao Ya, having finished washing, entered the room, the light inside had already been turned off.
By the starlight outside the window, he vaguely saw Zui’Er lying on the bed, covering her head with the quilt.
Zhao Ya found it amusing.
This little girl, even after so long, is still so shy.
Zhao Ya walked over and gently stroked Zui’Er’s back.
"Are you asleep? Then I’ll sleep too."
As he spoke, he made as if to lie down.
"Don’t!" Zui’Er fell into the trap, lifting the quilt and calling out.
Then she saw the smile on Zhao Ya’s face and couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
"Don’t what?" Zhao Ya asked with a smile.
"Oh, I’m not talking to you!" Zui’Er said shyly and wanted to turn away.
But Zhao Ya grabbed her.
"Mmm...."
A soft moan, and that night... was full of tender moments.
The next day, as soon as Zhao Ya arrived at the Escort Agency, Chief of the Escort Meng Lei called him over.
Upon reaching the conference hall, Meng Lei first inquired with a smile about Zhao Ya’s recent martial progress.
Zhao Ya didn’t mention that the fascia throughout his body had begun to tremble, as that would be too shocking.
He only said that he felt his progress had noticeably slowed down during this period.
Meng Lei had anticipated this and after offering a few consoling words, finally got to the main point.
"This morning, news came from the Hong Family in the Inner City, they have a batch of goods that need to be delivered to He Kou Town, but since Master Luo and Lin the Escort Master are both out on missions, I’ve decided to let you take this escort mission, do you have confidence?"
He Kou Town?
Zhao Ya immediately recalled the escort mission from last year.
It was then that he obtained the Meteorite Iron Treasure Saber.
He wondered how things were at the Iron Forging Manor there and whether they knew that the woman who cheated them of their saber was dead?
Zhao Ya’s thoughts raced, but he didn’t show it on the surface, and immediately stood up and said, "Rest assured, Chief of the Escort, as a disciple who has been granted great kindness by the Escort Agency, I shall do my utmost, without the slightest negligence, and ensure this mission goes without a hitch."
"Hahahaha, Ya, you’re being too serious, just sit down, it’s just a regular escort mission, you don’t need to be so formal." Meng Lei said with a smile.
Zhao Ya sat back down.
Meng Lei continued, "This escort mission is different, it is a two-way mission, escorting a batch of goods from Wuxiang City to He Kou Town, and then bringing back a batch of silver taels from the Silver House over there, so the time on the road will be a bit longer."
"But since you went with Master Luo last year, you know the route, so there shouldn’t be any major problems, I’ll also assign you ten porters, how does that sound?"
"Good, but I’d like to choose the porters myself."
"Of course, today you select the personnel and prepare the escort vehicles, setting off early tomorrow morning, is that okay?"
"No problem!"
Hearing that Zhao Ya was leading the escort mission, the porters were excited.
In recent days, Zhao Ya had amassed considerable prestige at the Escort Agency, and being the youngest, many people were eager to befriend him.
If they could go on this escort mission with him, it would surely be better than going with veterans like Luo Qiang and Lin Sheng.
So when Zhao Ya started picking people, the porters scrambled to sign up.
Zhao Ya finally selected ten people and told them to prepare the escort vehicles and pack their luggage today, ready to set off early tomorrow morning.
The crowd naturally agreed.
After the meeting, Tan Dong approached excitedly.
"Zhao, am I going too?"
"Why, you don’t want to go?" Zhao Ya asked with a smile.
"No, no, I’m more than willing, I’ll start packing my things right now."
Saying that, Tan Dong was about to leave.
"Alright, no rush, you can pack tonight, first go oversee the escort vehicles, the journey isn’t near, make sure everything is packed and nothing goes wrong."
"Understood!"
And so the day passed in busy preparations.
By evening, Zhao Ya personally inspected the escort vehicles again, making sure there were no issues before telling the porters the time to meet the next morning, and then left the Escort Agency.
Returning home, Zhao Ya told Zui’Er that he would be going on an escort mission the next day, which might take five or six days.
Zui’Er, although reluctant, knew this was Zhao Ya’s job, so she went to pack his things.
This thin garment is for practicing at night, this thicker one is for when it’s windy, and let’s take this oilcloth too, in case it rains....
Watching Zui’Er pack nonstop and the bundle gradually growing, Zhao Ya didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
"Enough, stop packing, I’m only going for five or six days, why are you even packing a winter coat for me?"
"Well, what if there’s rain and wind on the way."
"No need to be so complicated, just pack a couple of changes of clothes."
Under Zhao Ya’s insistence, Zui’Er had to remove most of the clothing and repack.
After finishing all this, Zhao Ya took out the short knife.
"Keep this for self-defense, during the time I’m gone, try not to go out much, and if anything happens you can seek help at the Escort Agency, understood?"
Zui’Er nodded, reaching out to take the short knife.
After practicing for some time, Zui’Er’s knife skills, though not exceptionally advanced, were at least decent enough to handle three to five thugs.
Still, Zhao Ya wasn’t completely at ease and gave her three lime packages.
"These contain lime powder, if you encounter a formidable opponent, throw it at their face and take the opportunity to run away."
"Okay, okay!" Zui’Er nodded fervently.
In fact, Zhao Ya thought of leaving the hand crossbow for Zui’Er too, but decided against it.
After all, it’s difficult to control, and there’s a risk of hurting oneself if not careful.
With everything settled, Zhao Ya had a night’s rest and rose early, arriving at the Escort Agency at dawn.
By then, the porters had all gathered.
After a final check of the escort vehicles, and preparing the escort document....
With all procedures completed, Zhao Ya waved his hand.
"Let’s set off!"