Meng Lei paused for a moment and then said, "Most bandits have to show me some respect. It’s just this Cyan Bamboo Ridge, which has risen recently as a major den of thieves, that’s a bit tricky. But I don’t believe that with my strength as a Third Realm Martial Artist and the reputation I’ve built over the years, something can still go wrong."
Upon hearing Meng Lei say this, everyone fell silent.
After all, what Meng Lei said was true. The Changlong Escort Agency hasn’t had any business for months and is now living off its savings.
In fact, many escort agencies in Wuxiang City have already closed their doors and stopped operations at this time.
But Meng Lei was reluctant to do so because this Changlong Escort Agency was his years of hard work. Once closed, it would be difficult to open again.
Thus, many of the agency’s expenses during this period were being maintained by Meng Lei out of his own pocket.
However, this couldn’t continue indefinitely, so no matter how difficult it was, Meng Lei had to take on this escort mission.
"I’m willing to accompany the Chief of the Escort on this mission!" Seeing that Meng Lei had made a decision, Lin Sheng immediately changed his attitude and was the first to speak.
"I’m willing too!" Luo Qiang also said.
Then they all looked towards Zhao Ya.
Zhao Ya sighed inwardly and then nodded.
"Although I’m weak in strength, I received so much nurturing from the escort agency. In this time of need, I too must do my part, so I’m willing!"
"Great! Hahaha, with the help of you three, I refuse to believe there’s anything we can’t overcome!" Meng Lei laughed heartily.
That day, the Changlong Escort Agency hosted a grand feast, with all the porters participating.
During the banquet, Meng Lei publicly announced the upcoming escort mission and asked if there were any volunteers willing to join.
Everything was entirely voluntary, with no coercion.
As a result, nearly all the porters in attendance, except for a few, expressed their willingness to take the journey.
Meng Lei was quite moved by this, and he took out his carefully saved money to reward those porters willing to participate.
After the feast, Zhao Ya left the escort agency and was about to go home when Tan Dong, who hadn’t shown up for days, suddenly appeared.
"Brother Zhao, I’m not full yet. Why don’t we go to your house for a drink? I’ve already bought the drinks and dishes," Tan Dong said while raising the food and wine he was holding.
Zhao Ya smiled, "Sure, I’m not full either."
Upon arriving home, when Zui’Er saw Zhao Ya bringing Tan Dong along, she quickly started busying herself with cooking.
"There’s no need for so much trouble, sister-in-law, I brought some cooked food. It’s enough for Brother Zhao and me to eat casually," Tan Dong said with a smile.
In the past, when she heard Tan Dong call her sister-in-law, Zui’Er would always blush.
But now, having had more interactions, Zui’Er was used to it, and she smiled upon hearing it, then brought the utensils for the two and went inside the room.
"Sister-in-law is really gentle and gracious!" Tan Dong sighed, then filled up Zhao Ya’s cup,
"Come, let’s have a drink!"
The wine was a bit bland.
But Tan Dong was quite enjoying it.
Because, in these times, being able to buy alcohol was already considered quite fortunate.
Even the cooked food was something that Tan Dong had someone buy at a high price; it wasn’t available on the market.
"When I drink, I think of Xiaocui, Lili, Hongyu, and Juan’Er. I don’t know how the girls are doing now, whether they have enough to eat and wear, or if anyone bullies them," Tan Dong said affectionately.
Zhao Ya: "..."
"You didn’t come today just to reminisce about those girls, did you?"
"Of course not. Do you think there will be any problems with this escort mission?" Tan Dong asked.
Zhao Ya nodded, "Of course there will be."
Tan Dong was stunned, "Then why didn’t you persuade against it?"
"Do you think I could have persuaded them?"
Then Zhao Ya recounted Meng Lei’s words to Tan Dong.
After hearing them, Tan Dong couldn’t help but sigh.
"This damned world, you can’t blame the Chief of the Escort for doing what he did."
"However, I’ve heard my father say among the three major families in the Inner City, the Hong Family is the strongest and most ambitious, so being careful and vigilant is always good."
"Then why did you still sign up to join this escort mission?" Zhao Ya couldn’t help but ask.
Tan Dong let out a laugh, "Isn’t it because I saw that you, Brother Zhao, were also going? Now that there are no brothels in the Outer City, rather than staying home bored, it’s better to go out with you."
"Do you trust me that much?" Zhao Ya said with amusement.
"Of course, if not Zhao Bro, who else would I trust? Even my dad says you’re someone with great skills, Zhao Bro; following you can never be wrong."
After the drink was done, Tan Dong was only slightly tipsy.
After he left, Zui’Er came out from the inner room, looking worried and asked, "Brother Ya, are you going out for the escort mission?"
"Yes!"
"But I heard from Tan Dong that this escort mission seems very dangerous!"
Zhao Ya smiled slightly and took Zui’Er’s hand, "What? Worried about me?"
Zui’Er nodded vigorously.
"Don’t worry, I am mindful, I will not act recklessly, moreover...."
Zhao Ya paused for a moment, then said, "The escort agency has nurtured me. If I choose to back off just because of momentary safety, my Martial Dao path would come to an end."
Laying low and steady growth has always been Zhao Ya’s principle, but things were different this time.
Firstly, now Zhao Ya had enough power to protect himself, even if he encountered dangerous situations, at a loss he could at least run away.
Secondly, if he really backed down, his future cultivation would likely be significantly affected.
Weighing the pros and cons, Zhao Ya decided to take this journey.
However, before going, he needed to be fully prepared.
That night, after finishing his practice, Zhao Ya took tools to modify the scabbard and hilt of the Meteorite Iron Saber.
After the modification, the Meteorite Iron Saber hadn’t changed much in terms of the blade, but unless the blade was unsheathed, no one would be able to recognize its original appearance.
Then Zhao Ya applied an upgraded version of the strengthened lime package around himself.
Inside there wasn’t just finely ground limestone mixed with chili powder, but there was also itching powder mixed in.
Ensuring that even a Third Realm Martial Artist, if inadvertently caught, would find themselves in trouble.
Additionally, the hand crossbow and sleeve arrows were also newly coated with poison.
Although the Confusion Powder wouldn’t kill instantly, it took effect quickly. Used on the sleeve arrows, even if it didn’t hit vital spots, as long as it drew blood, the opponent would soon find themselves disoriented, offering an extra layer of protection.
Moreover, Zhao Ya also modified the Iron and Tin Stele he previously used for practicing Lightweight Skill.
The Iron Armor was thickened; once worn, it could withstand close-range arrow attacks, and ordinary knives and swords couldn’t easily harm it.
As for the various other minor items, they were all adequately prepared.
After handling everything, Zhao Ya reminded Zui’Er not to go out easily and to keep a low profile.
Previously seized, that saber had become Zui’Er’s exclusive weapon, and she had practiced the Gale Saber Technique to a decent proficiency.
Ordinary people couldn’t get near her, and even a First Realm Martial Artist would have to put in some effort to defeat Zui’Er.
Key was that Zui’Er’s Lightweight Skill was pretty impressive; even Zhao Ya, unless he exerted himself fully, couldn’t catch up with her.
Yet, Zhao Ya wasn’t entirely reassured, so he went ahead and set traps all around the courtyard wall.
Now, Zhao Ya’s trap-setting skills were quite advanced; these traps seemed to blend into the surrounding environment, and once triggered, an ordinary person would meet their end instantly.