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Chapter 561: Accumulating Meritorious Deeds
Chapter 561: Accumulating Meritorious Deeds
"Then I won't disturb the esteemed couple's leisure." Liuyong Nan quickly smiled and nodded, then hurried away.
Liancheng Bi watched Liuyong Nan's departing figure, his eyes deep and unreadable.
"Husband?" Shen Bijun tugged on Liancheng Bi's arm.
Liancheng Bi turned and smiled, "That Liuyong Nan has ulterior motives. Didn't he see that we were out for a walk? Why would we need him as a guide?"
Shen Bijun laughed, "Liuyong Nan means well."
Liancheng Bi shook his head, "The Liuyong family is also from a prestigious background. Although they may not have a deep heritage, they have received the proper education. I don't believe he could be so oblivious."
Shen Bijun looked confused, "Then why would he say such a thing?"
Liancheng Bi looked into Shen Bijun's clear eyes and shook his head, not revealing the truth. Instead, he smiled and said, "I don't know, but we'll find out soon enough."
"Why?" Shen Bijun asked.
"Because we're heading to Jiayuguan, which is over three thousand miles away. Whether he's truly oblivious or has hidden intentions, it won't be long before we find out." Liancheng Bi replied calmly.
In the original story, Yang Kaitai's journey did not include Liancheng Bi and his wife. It was only because Liancheng Bi appeared at Daming Lake with Yang Kaitai that they attracted the attention of Liuyong Nan and Peng Pengfei.
Liuyong Nan was harmless, merely a young master from a prestigious family. However, Peng Pengfei, despite being the chief escort of Wansheng Escort Agency, was a thief in disguise. He even dared to attack retired magistrates, showing his audacity and sinister nature.
More importantly, both Liuyong Nan and Peng Pengfei were being controlled by the Free and Unrestrained Marquis due to the blackmail he had on them, forcing them to obey the Young Master's commands.
Given this information...
Will there be any changes to the events that unfold?
...
The next morning, the gates of Lang Xiang Garden were wide open, and one by one, large carriages emerged from within. As the carriages rolled over the dirt road, deep ruts were left behind, indicating the weight of the cargo they carried.
On either side of each carriage were escorts, and every dozen or so steps, there was an additional escort, their eyes sharp and alert despite having just set out on their journey.
It was the rule of the escort agency that once a convoy set off, the escorts must remain vigilant at all times, even while sleeping.
This was an important eight million taels escort mission spanning three thousand miles. If something were to go wrong, their lives and wealth wouldn't be enough to compensate for the loss.
The escorts were all in high spirits. [Yuanji] Bank also understood that the emperor wouldn't mistreat his soldiers, so they provided the best accommodations and food for the escorts at Lang Xiang Garden before their departure, ensuring they were well-rested and energized.
Eight million taels of gold and silver, a convoy of 120 carriages!
Leading the way were the Sun and Moon Double Spears, Lusiheng, and the Sky Piercing Palms, Qiu Lei, while the Wind Without Ease of the Ten Thousand Miles Chasing Soul and the Nine Curve Poison Dragon, Long Changxing, brought up the rear.
Situp Zhongping, along with his deputy, the Golden and Silver Swords, Aiziqi, were positioned at the heart of the escort team. The other eight chief escorts and the assisting Peng Pengfei were distributed throughout the formation.
As for the Liancheng Bi couple, Yang Kaitai, Tie Yi Master, and other high monks, including Liuyong Nan, they were all seated in several carriages in the center of the escort team, guarded by eighteen Shaolin Arhat monks.
From within his carriage, Liancheng Bi lifted the curtain and observed the surroundings. He noticed the curling smoke from nearby houses and the early morning workers hurrying on their way. Some people were even sitting at roadside stalls, enjoying their breakfast.
With a quick glance, Liancheng Bi identified several individuals with shifty eyes, drifting gazes, and suspicious movements. Even those with decent acting skills couldn't escape his sharp eyes.
"One, two, three, four..." Liancheng Bi started counting.
"Husband, what are you counting?" Shen Bijun asked.
"I'm counting how many forces are eyeing this escort mission." Liancheng Bi smiled, "Over there, there are two men with white headscarves, but they're wrapped differently, and one has tanned skin while the other is fair-skinned, indicating they're from different places."
"Which two places?" Shen Bijun asked as she peered through the carriage window, spotting the two men.
"One is from northern Shaanxi, and the other is from southern Sichuan. Both places are known for their honest and simple folk. They didn't even bother to disguise their usual attire, which truly shows their sincerity." Liancheng Bi stroked his chin as he spoke.
Shen Bijun couldn't help but smile as she asked, "Then who are the insincere ones?"
Liancheng Bi pointed to a laborer at a noodle stall up ahead. The man was eating noodles while chatting with his companion, but his eyes kept drifting towards the convoy.
"Now, that's a professional. I almost didn't spot him."
"Then how did you notice him?"
"Because he just put down his bowl to pick up a steamed bun, and that's when I saw his hands."
"Those aren't calluses from manual labor. Only years of sword training can create such calluses in the palms. Moreover, he must be a sword master. If I'm not mistaken, he's probably the chief of a mountain stronghold in the Taihang Mountains." Liancheng Bi explained.
Several Shaolin monks outside the carriage overheard the conversation and took a closer look at the laborer, nodding in admiration.
Liancheng Bi continued his analysis, "That water carrier with bowed legs is clearly skilled in horsemanship. Why would he disguise himself as a local when he could have posed as a horse trader instead? By doing so, he's practically announcing that he's a bandit from the frontier."
"And that teacher, while he may have an air of scholarly refinement, has chosen the wrong profession. Teaching values righteousness above all, yet his eyes lack that very quality. If he had disguised himself as a young master just leaving a brothel, I might not have seen through him."
"As for that fortune-teller, it's a common disguise for gathering information, but at least put some effort into it. His banner says 'Maidiviner,' but he's using the Grand Liu Ren technique. Doesn't he know he's mixing up his methods?"
"The most outrageous one is that beggar. He's covered himself in dirt and looks skinny, as if he hasn't eaten well. But when a wealthy gentleman passed by earlier, he threw him half a meat bun, and the beggar didn't even try to grab it. How fake is that?"
Liancheng Bi's voice carried, and although the surroundings were noisy, anyone with advanced martial arts training would have been able to hear him clearly if they focused.
Those who could disguise themselves so well were undoubtedly masters of the underworld. Even if they weren't leaders, they were certainly important figures in their respective organizations.
And they had all heard Liancheng Bi's words.
As a result, these masters, who had been casually observing the convoy through their apparent spies, felt embarrassed and quickly retreated into the depths of the alleys, disappearing from view within a few breaths.
"Amituofo!"
A Buddhist chant came from one of the carriages behind. Master Tie Ku smiled and said, "Layman Lian has incredible discernment and sharp words. This monk is impressed!"
"Master is too kind," Liancheng Bi replied with a smile. "If we can make them retreat and avoid a chaotic battle, it will be a meritorious deed."
"Amituofo!" The monks chorused, "If that is the case, it will be a truly virtuous deed!"
(End of Chapter)
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