A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2246 - 1521: Chance Encounter (Ben’s Feline Form Becomes a 300-Kilogram Tank!)_3
Regarding the escort agency industry, Duanmu Huai was quite interested. After all, many martial arts novels feature escort agencies, but even in those novels, the escort agency business is pretty tragic, mostly appearing as background, and a rather unlucky background at that.
For instance, let the escort agency handle an escort mission, and then the goods disappear when they reach the destination.
Or have the escort agency handle an escort mission, only to be robbed halfway.
Or on the surface, it’s an escort mission, but secretly swap the heavens and the earth, then blame it all on the escort agency.
Basically, in most martial arts novels, escort agencies are a miserable profession, purely the bullied fool, utterly miserable.
But what’s the reality of escort agencies?
Duanmu Huai was very curious.
It just so happened he ran into someone from an escort agency, so why not inquire about the situation?
After chatting with Shi, Duanmu Huai discovered that this escort agency... really is quite pitiful.
Honestly, hearing Shi’s explanation, Duanmu Huai couldn’t help but think of the couriers from his own era. Back then, many people who graduated high school but couldn’t get into college, without any special skills, could only become couriers.
And these Biao Masters, well, they’re quite similar.
They’re those who trained in martial arts but lacked talent, knowing a few moves but didn’t have what it takes to join a sect---just like those students who couldn’t even get into a junior college.
Unable to rise high or sink low, they could only rely on a few moves they learned and step out into the world as ancient couriers---that is, Biao Masters.
Moreover, being a Biao Master is far more dangerous than being a modern courier.
A courier might die from overwork or encounter a car accident running a red light, but a Biao Master has much more on their minds. In ancient times, the official roads were deserted, and they carried large items which couldn’t be hidden. Plus, in an average escort agency, the skills of the Biao Masters are quite mediocre. They might handle some no-name bandits and thieves, but facing slightly larger gangs or forts, they’re somewhat overpowered.
Duanmu Huai curiously asked if an escort agency would refuse to escort valuable items, to which Shi’s expression was quite helpless.
"Frankly, sir, we’d love to do some peaceful business. But as you know, this world’s environment offers no choice..."
That’s right, no choice. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Escort agencies belong to the lowest of the low, their status even lower than the fifth-ranked disciples from reputable sects. Whatever others demand they do, they do it, with almost no possibility of refusal.
Take, for instance, the tragic case of Dragon Gate Escort Agency; Yin Susu entrusted Dragon Gate Escort Agency to escort Yu Daiyan back to Wudang, and warned that if Yu Daiyan met with any accident, the entire Dragon Gate Escort Agency family would be killed. As everyone knows, Yu Daiyan ended up crippled with severed limbs, nearly a wreck of a person. Yin Susu kept her promise and exterminated the entire Dragon Gate Escort Agency.
Logically, this kind of escort mission shouldn’t have been accepted from the beginning.
But... for escort agencies, they have no choice.
Accept the mission, and they face annihilation if they fail.
Refuse it? Then their annihilation happens right now.
Speaking of this matter, Shi was also quite emotional, saying Dragon Gate Escort Agency was very unlucky, but if Fuwei Escort Agency faced such a situation, they too would be helpless.
Sky Eagle Sect, they couldn’t afford to provoke.
Wudang Sect, they also couldn’t afford to provoke.
You know, let alone Sky Eagle Sect and Wudang Sect, even Qingcheng Sect they dared not provoke. Every year the Chief sends someone to Sichuan Qingcheng Mountain to respectfully offer gifts to Qingcheng Sect, and within reputable sects, Qingcheng Sect is considered middle-to-lower tier.
This shows just how low the status of escort agencies is.
Shi complained to Duanmu Huai that Qingcheng Sect doesn’t take them seriously at all, intercepting them halfway up Qingcheng Mountain, not receiving guests, nor accepting gifts. Their escort leaders don’t even know which way Qingcheng Sect’s entrance opens, and the Chief insisted that no matter how rude the other side was, they must remain respectful...
Click, click, click, this shows that this escort agency is indeed holding back.
However, aside from this, Shi mentioned something that interested Duanmu Huai, like the Chief’s cook Master Hua, who excels in making Winter Melon Soup, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, and Pork Skin Dumplings, famous nearby, and many dignitaries are fond of these dishes, making Duanmu Huai’s mouth water, and he promptly decided to visit Fuwei Escort Agency for a free meal.
Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Duanmu Huai had only heard of it, never tasted it, and since Shi said that Master Hua is a famous chef, his skills must be good.
And he’s the Chief’s personal chef.
Learning Duanmu Huai wanted to visit Fuwei Escort Agency, Shi was quite welcoming, as Fuwei Escort Agency now follows the path of building relationships. Lin Zhenan’s martial arts are average, but he has many friends and a strong network, so Fuwei Escort Agency can keep going. All thanks to the face others give him; now if they can connect with this Undying Slaughter God, it would be excellent.
Thus, together they headed to Fuwei Escort Agency.
Of course, before entering the city, Duanmu Huai retracted his yak mount. Witnessing this, the Biao Masters, including Shi, were deeply respectful and awed. There had long been rumors that this Undying Slaughter God was a Heavenly Person incarnate, and now it seemed true. Such immortal-like abilities, how could ordinary people possess them?
"Sir, look, there’s Fuwei Escort Agency ahead..."
Fuwei Escort Agency is located on West Gate Street, leading straight to the west gate; once inside the city, it’s right there. Seeing the familiar courtyard, Shi’s relaxed a lot.
However, once he saw the state of the escort agency ahead, he was utterly shocked.
"What’s... happening?!"
