Chapter 36: I'm Really Not Reliable!

Hongzhou.

Tang Family Escort Agency.

This was an escort agency that had suddenly appeared in Hongzhou in recent years. Rumor had it their business spanned the great rivers of the north and south, though few clients ever came to their door. Yet, from time to time, people would see escorts depart from within.

Hongzhou was a place teeming with people, and escort agencies were plentiful. Naturally, a newcomer like this would be shunned by the local toughs, and troublemakers would often come knocking.

But whenever someone came looking for trouble, their corpse would be found in the wild the very next day. If anyone persisted, their entire family would suddenly be wiped out.

With time, those voices of dissent faded into silence.

Tonight, the Tang Family Escort Agency, which was usually ablaze with lanterns, was shrouded in darkness. The lanterns that were always hung up before dusk were nowhere to be seen.

“Since afternoon, no one has gone in or out.”

A young man dressed in plain clothes sat in the teahouse across the street, his gaze sweeping over the tightly shut gates of the Tang Family Escort Agency, speaking in a low voice.

“Fifth Brother, do you think they caught wind of our plans and ran off?” the boy beside him speculated.

Qian Five shook his head. “Unlikely. If you don’t count the boss, our strength is on par with the Assassins’ Hall. Unless the hall master himself—Qian One—or one of the top five Disha numbers acts, we can’t take them down. Even if they know we’re coming, given the temperament of the Assassins’ Hall, they’d only wait for us to show up.”

“So what’s going on?” Qian Thirty-Three scratched his head. “No sign of life all afternoon.”

Qian Five turned to the chubby boy beside him, who was munching on snacks. “Thirty-Six, can you check the situation?”

The chubby boy protested, “Fifth Brother, I’m really not reliable!”

He was the one whom Ji Huo had sent years ago to learn the ways of the scholars, but unfortunately, he hadn’t picked up a thing. Still, he was the only one in the Tiangang group who had any inkling of the scholar’s arts, albeit meager.

This was a headache for Ji Huo. Of all thirty-six Tiangang members, only Little Thirty-Six had any aptitude for mystical arts; the others couldn’t understand a thing and would doze off at the sight of them, much like college students learning fluid mechanics.

The Disha group was even worse. They were a bunch of brutes whose minds were solely focused on fighting and killing. If they weren’t killing, they were on their way to kill.

“Just do as I say! Less talk!” Qian Five, with no other options, decided to try his luck.

He’d once asked the boss what to do when faced with tough decisions.

Ji Huo had shrugged. “Let Little Thirty-Six take a look. None of us understand mysticism. If something happens, we can say we consulted a professional; it was fate. It sounds better that way. If word gets out, we can blame the scholar.”

It sounded like making excuses for failure, but the boss’s words were gospel to these boys.

“I’m warning you now! If I say something wrong, don’t blame me!” The chubby boy shuffled over to the window, feeling as aggrieved as a child.

Every time something like this happened, his brothers would have him make the call. They might laugh it off when he got it wrong, but he felt wronged!

It was as if he were just a tool for drawing lots or opening blind boxes—a mere plaything!

How infuriating!

“Haha! We won’t, we won’t!” Thirty-Three clapped him on the shoulder, laughing. “We just want you to check it out! Besides, didn’t they say a scholar needs constant practice to get stronger? This is your chance to train.”

“Why do I feel like you’re all excited about this…” the chubby boy muttered.

He went to the window, took a deep breath, closed his eyes, chanted a silent incantation, and suddenly opened them, gazing at the Tang Family Escort Agency.

“How is it?” After a while with no reaction, Qian Five couldn’t help but ask.

The chubby boy turned, looking aggrieved. “I told you I couldn’t see a thing—nothing at all! You just don’t believe me!”

The two rolled their eyes, losing interest.

“It’s just…” The chubby boy hesitated, his face puzzled.

“What is it?”

He pointed at the Tang Family Escort Agency. “I don't know why, but whenever I look at it, I feel anxious.”

“Anxious?” Qian Five narrowed his eyes. “Is it just the Tang Family Escort Agency?”

The chubby boy’s gaze swept over everyone, then down the street. His confusion deepened. “It’s strange. Whenever I look at you, you all seem anxious. Wait, it’s everyone—everyone looks anxious!”

He pointed again at the Tang Family Escort Agency. “But looking there feels the worst—my heart races the fastest.”

Thirty-Three asked worriedly, “What’s going on? You haven’t messed up your studies, have you?”

“Nonsense! With my half-baked skills, how could I mess up?” The chubby boy retorted. He and Thirty-Three had both been picked up by Ji Huo around the same time and were about the same age, so they were close.

Thirty-Three teased, “Then why does everyone make you anxious? Are you afraid they’ll eat you?”

“I don’t know!” the chubby boy complained. “I told you I’m not skilled. Every time the teacher lectured, I was asleep!”

“Fifth Brother, what do you think?” Thirty-Three turned to Qian Five, who had been deep in thought since hearing the chubby boy’s words.

Qian Five suddenly looked up, making a resolute decision. “Gather everyone. Leave Hongzhou immediately!”

“Fifth Brother! Didn’t we get orders to keep watch on the Assassins’ Hall until the boss arrives?” Thirty-Three and the chubby boy exclaimed in shock.

“That’s right,” Qian Five nodded. “So all of you leave. I’ll go to the Tang Family Escort Agency myself.”

“Fifth Brother! If you’re going, we’ll go together!” Thirty-Three urged. “If something happens, it’s better to have help!”

“No need. My mind is made up. If nothing happens, I’ll return alive. If the boss asks, I’ll take full responsibility—even if Little Red Candy beats me senseless.”

He looked toward the Tang Family Escort Agency. “If something happens after I go in, I’ll try to release a carrier pigeon. Then, tell the boss and have him come early.”

“Also, once I’m inside, tell Qian Ten everything. After leaving Hongzhou, obey his orders.”

“Fifth Brother!” Thirty-Three was nearly in tears. “Don’t scare me. You sound like you’re saying your last words.”

The chubby boy was also upset. “Fifth Brother, I’m just talking nonsense—I don’t even know what’s happening. Mysticism is unreliable; don’t do this!”

Qian Five looked at them sternly, his voice cold. “That’s an order!”

“Yes!”

“Yes!”

Both shivered, replying instinctively.

“Alright, tell the other brothers to leave, and leave the carrier pigeon behind.” Qian Five waved them off.

Once they were gone, Qian Five waited another half hour, estimating that they should have gotten far enough away.

He took the carrier pigeon, slipped over to a corner of the Tang Family Escort Agency’s wall, and vaulted into the courtyard.

By now, night had fully fallen. Inside the Tang Family Escort Agency, it was pitch-black, not even a hand could be seen before the eyes.

As soon as Qian Five landed, his foot stepped on something and he nearly stumbled.

He reached down.

It was a human head.