The Greenwood

Chapter 145: The Greenwood

"Sword techniques? Yes!" Zhao Qin’s reply was resolute.

"Although swords are less common in escort agencies, since our benefactor has asked, even if I didn't have any, I'd find a way to get you some through other channels!"

Li Huowang picked up his wine glass and tapped it against the edge of Zhao Qin's. "Then I thank Captain Zhao."

As the wine flowed, the atmosphere at the banquet grew warmer, and everyone at the table drank heartily.

Li Huowang, however, didn't care for such occasions. Seeing that the others had nearly finished eating, he decided to take his leave.

Just then, he saw Gouwa approaching with a steaming cup of tea, which he placed on the table in front of Li Huowang.

Gouwa glanced at Zhao Qin, who was entertaining a guest nearby, then leaned in to whisper.

"Brother Li, remember how Junior Sister Bai always said we were only spending money with no income, and that we needed to find a stable way to earn a living?"

"Mm, what about it?" Bai Lingmiao had indeed complained about this to him more than once. He was sick of hearing it.

Gouwa's face lit up with excitement. "Well, look at this—it's like wanting to sleep and finding a pillow! We can ask them to teach us how to be escorts!"

"We have to keep heading towards Liang anyway, so we can pick up escorts heading the same way. We'll earn money and travel at the same time!"

"And look—they treated us to an expensive meal like this. They must be making a killing from escorting cargo. We could make that kind of money too!"

Li Huowang looked at Gouwa with some surprise. The man was certainly sharp when it came to making money. Still, Gouwa had a point. It was something he could do.

The money he earned from escorting could be used for travel expenses, and he could also send some to Abbess Jingxin.

Although the Abbess had only mentioned the thirty thousand taels of gold in passing, since she had given him such a great gift, it felt wrong not to give something back.

He didn't like being indebted to others, least of all to the only person who had helped him.

When Li Huowang raised the matter with Zhao Qin, the man agreed without hesitation.

"Sure! If Brother Li wants to join the trade, I'll be your guarantor! As long as you have my letter of recommendation, you can accept escorts at any agency without any trouble!"

But after making his promise, Zhao Qin began to gently advise him.

"However, Brother Li, escorting isn't as easy as it looks. We old-timers have a saying: 'Three parts for safe passage.'"

"'Three parts for safe passage' means: a smile worth three parts on your face, give in three parts on every matter, and drink three parts of wine at the table."

"Outsiders think escorts rely on martial skill, but that's only half the truth. The other half depends on currying favor with people up and down the line. It's a real headache."

Zhao Qin's face was flushed red as he raised his glass and downed it again, then waved his hand grandly.

"Brother Li, if you're really short on silver, just say the word! I'll give you as much as you need!"

His tone was very firm, but Li Huowang knew not to take it seriously.

Everything had its price. He had saved the man's wife, yes, but he hadn't completely cured her—only improved her condition slightly.

Asking for a sword manual or for help getting into the escort business was fine, but to expect Zhao Qin to bankrupt himself for him... that would be crossing a line.

"Captain Zhao is too kind. I think it's better to rely on myself."

After several attempts to decline, Zhao Qin sighed. "Fine, since Brother Li insists, then let's do it this way. Come to the agency tomorrow, and I'll personally teach you the passwords."

"Passwords? What kind of passwords?"

"Coded speech, the underworld lingo. When you run into highwaymen or bandits blocking the road, you need to be able to talk to them."

"I see." Li Huowang held his wine glass, a thought stirring in his mind. "Then, Captain Zhao, what does 'companion, share your vine' mean?"

That was what the river bandits had said to him back then. He now realized it was probably a password.

"'Companion' means brother. 'Share your vine' means you're supposed to state your name or alias," Zhao Qin explained.

"And what if you can't answer properly?"

"If you can't even manage the password, then you're basically an outsider. Most of those who fly the black banner will just attack directly."

"I understand…" Li Huowang held his chopsticks in the air, lost in thought.

Gouwa interjected from the side. "Chief Escort, is it really that important? Those small-time thieves can't cause much trouble. Can't we just kill them all?"

"Small-time thieves?" Zhao Qin scoffed at Gouwa's words.

"Do you really think all bandits and outlaws are just random gangs of thugs gathered to rob people? The waters run deep here, boy!"

This piqued Li Huowang's interest. "Captain Zhao, please, elaborate."

In the few short months since Qingfeng Temple, he had already encountered two groups of roadblockers.

If nothing unexpected happened, he would likely face more in the future. It was best to understand the situation.

An escort who had traveled the roads for years would certainly be very knowledgeable on this subject.

"I'll admit, some drifting bandits have no real strength. But the Greenwood isn't just them. Those who fly the black banner also come in different sizes."

"Setting aside the Big and Small Mice of Eastern Yi Mountain or Nan Batian of the Western Wasteland, any name you can recognize is someone with real power."

"'Occupying a mountain and declaring yourself king' isn't just an empty saying. There are countless who command thousands of men under their banner."

Zhao Qin took a gulp of wine and continued. "And the key is, there's another saying: 'Keep the bandits to keep yourself in power.' Behind some of them, there's no telling if they have connections with the authorities."

"Besides, they're bandits now. But who knows? If the court issues an amnesty one day, they'll go from black to white overnight."

"With all these tangled relationships, do you think you can sort them out? If you don't follow their customs and use the passwords, how do you expect to run your escort? Everything has its rules, and the rules of the Greenwood are still rules."

Zhao Qin's explanation peeled back a corner of the shrouded world, allowing Li Huowang to glimpse its true nature.

Li Huowang thought back to the river bandits' sacrificial ritual from before. After a moment's deliberation, he spoke again.

"Among these roadblockers, are there any experts who use evil arts or immortal techniques?"

Ordinary bandits didn't frighten him now. But this world had never been simple.

Even a small group of river bandits in a reed marsh could use the Thousand Greats Record, obtained from who knows where, to wreak havoc.

Among these larger groups of mountain bandits, it was hard to guarantee there wouldn't be someone even more dangerous.

As soon as he said this, the atmosphere at the table turned cold.

Seeing the nervous expressions on the escorts' faces, Li Huowang had his answer.

Zhao Qin hesitated for a few moments, then let out a light sigh. "That's exactly why I say, everything must be done by the rules. No one knows who's really in charge behind these mountain and river bandits."

"Although the Imperial Guard has the Supervisory Heavenly Office, the current Emperor can barely keep himself on his dragon throne. He has no mind for these matters."

"There are some things that aren't meant for ordinary folks like us to meddle in."