UGB Chapter 45 Roadside Stations
Chapter 45 Roadside Stations
Fuzhou and Hangzhou are separated by a thousand miles, and there are no other major cities in between.
This was already the second day since Xiao Xuan and Qu Lingyan set off, and the surrounding area was still a desolate jungle.
Unable to find a place to rest last night, the two of them only rested briefly by the roadside before hearing the howling of wolves.
In ancient times, traveling far away was indeed the most dangerous thing, even more dangerous than going to sea.
Although Xiao Xuan offered to keep watch, Qu Lingyan only rested for a little over an hour before the two of them set off again after the horses had rested.
"Xiao Xuan, are you alright?"
Qu Lingyan took the initiative to inquire about Xiao Xuan's condition. After spending a short day together, she discovered that Xiao Xuan was not as she had initially thought.
Xiao Xuan took good care of her along the way, but it wasn't in a deliberate attempt to please her, nor was it premeditated flattery.
Qu Lingyan originally planned to find an opportunity to steal the extremely poisonous substance from Xiao Xuan on the way, but now that she thinks about it, it is more likely to complete her mother-in-law's mission if she travels with him.
When Xiao Xuan heard Qu Lingyan express concern for him, he simply nodded.
After all, Xiao Xuan's ability to provide hints was not prophetic, nor could he read Qu Lingyan's other thoughts.
At this moment, Xiao Xuan felt that Qu Lingyan was not as pretentious as he had imagined. Women who travel the martial world are naturally more uninhibited than pampered women.
"It's alright. My internal cultivation focuses on self-cultivation, so I can get enough rest even without sleeping."
The Tianshan School is, after all, a Taoist lineage, so the White Cloud Force does have the wonderful effects of abstaining from grains and nourishing the spirit.
"According to the map, there should be a post station about 60 or 70 li to the north."
"real?"
Upon hearing that there was a post station ahead, Qu Lingyan's weariness vanished instantly, and she became full of energy.
"Then why aren't we leaving yet?"
"A post station isn't an inn. We're not officials, so we can't stay there overnight."
"Can't you at least have a meal and feed Mr. Ma? Who wouldn't want to make money?"
Xiao Xuan nodded after hearing this, and the two of them sped up and headed towards the post station.
The two rode under the scorching sun for an unknown amount of time before finally spotting the silhouette of the post station in the distance.
"We've finally arrived!"
Qu Lingyan laughed from the bottom of her heart, but Xiao Xuan's eyes were sharp, and he saw the situation in front of the post station from afar.
"Why are there so many people? They look like they just arrived at the post station too."
"Really? So many carriages and horses! This is a huge caravan!"
"Let's observe it first after we get closer."
Qu Lingyan responded, but the distance was too far to see the flags on the carriage clearly.
If this is an official convoy, then the two's plan to rest at the post station will be ruined.
Xiao Xuan and Qu Lingyan approached the post station, just as the caravan stopped.
"Slow down, everyone, don't rush!"
The man leading the caravan was tall and slightly overweight. After dismounting, the horse seemed much more relaxed.
"Captain! We've finally arrived. The brothers have been looking forward to a rest."
"We've been gone for several days. Why don't we talk to Old Jin and ask if we can stay here for the night?"
It turned out that this group of people were bodyguards from a security escort agency. As Xiao Xuan approached, he was able to see their flags and appearances clearly.
The flag belonged to the Fuyuan Escort Agency in Fuzhou, and the man at the head was none other than Fu Lianzhuang, the head escort who had brushed past him and Qian Xiaoyou in Fuzhou.
This place is at least five or six hundred miles away from Fuzhou. If they had set off from Fuzhou that day, it wouldn't be surprising if they had been overtaken by Xiao Xuan and his companion, who were riding their horses at full speed.
"They're from the Fuyuan Escort Agency."
Xiao Xuan said to Qu Lingyan beside him.
"That's great, let's go in then."
The official road was narrowed by the caravan, so Xiao Xuan and his companion, who were at the back of the procession, dismounted and headed toward the entrance of the post station.
Just as they reached the center of the procession, a monk dressed in a magnificent robe jumped down from the carriage in front of them.
"No overnight stays allowed!"
The monk shouted, clearly intended for the bodyguards to hear.
Upon hearing this, the bodyguards all looked over with resentful eyes, leaving Xiao Xuan and his companion in an awkward position.
"Master, please make way."
Xiao Xuan called out politely, and the monk immediately turned around warily. When he saw Xiao Xuan and Qu Lingyan, his eyes were filled with terror.
"Who are you? What are you doing following us?"
"What do you mean, you bald monk?" Qu Lingyan was immediately displeased. "Do you own this official road? We only didn't push you away out of respect for you as a high monk, don't be shameless!"
Xiao Xuan snorted coldly and used his ability to observe the monk in front of him.
[Explanation of Goodness (One Realm)]
[Monks of Nanfa Temple.]
[By imperial decree, the Buddhist scriptures and golden Buddha statue were delivered to the capital and given to Prince Chen, Zhou Hongqi.]
This monk, Shishan, looked very old, with a slightly hunched back, as if he had been chanting scriptures with his head down since birth.
Moreover, monks who know virtually no martial arts are indeed rare in this world, no wonder he didn't even notice someone coming from behind him.
Upon hearing the arguing coming from the caravan, the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) Fu Lianzhuang immediately rushed over, wondering why the monk had caused trouble again.
"Master Shishan, what is this all about?"
Qu Lingyan snorted coldly: "You're blocking my way, and you dare ask me why I'm here?"
"No!"
Master Shi Shan clasped his hands together and apologized in a low voice, "It was my oversight that I did not notice you two benefactors. I apologize for that."
"I'm so sorry, both of you..."
Fu Lianzhuang chuckled as he sized up the two young men in front of him.
The man had a cold and resolute face, while the woman was stunningly beautiful; neither of them looked like an ordinary person.
When you're out and about, try to be tolerant; it's always better to have more friends than more enemies.
"I am Fu Lianzhuang from Fuyuan Escort Agency. I hope you will give me face and make friends."
Xiao Xuan did not reply. After all, he had only met Fu Lianzhuang once and was not familiar with him, so he did not know what kind of person the other party was.
As for whether or not to give her face, Qu Lingyan is so assertive that she will not back down.
"The Fuyuan Escort Agency really has a lot of influence."
As expected, Qu Lingyan walked forward disdainfully, ignoring everyone.
Since the Fuyuan Escort Agency had blocked their way first, they had no choice but to endure it and make way for Qu Lingyan and Xiao Xuan.
Among the crowd of people from the escort agency, a young woman watched Qu Lingyan walk by arrogantly, gritted her teeth, gripped the hilt of her knife, and muttered under her breath.
"What the hell? This road is so wide, you're just asking for trouble."
As the woman was speaking, Fu Lianzhuang's voice came over.
"Xiao Di, have the brothers tie up the carriages and horses, leave two men to guard them, and we'll go in too."
...
Inside the post station, Xiao Xuan and Qu Lingyan were the first to enter through the gate.
Two servants walked up to them and exchanged a strange look after seeing the two of them.
"What? Aren't you taking customers?"
"Uh...please come in, sir."
"Feed our horses some concentrated feed."
Xiao Xuan and his companion entered the hall, found a seat, and then the people from Fuyuan Escort Agency also came in.
"Head镖师 (镖师 is a nickname for a镖师, meaning镖师, or镖头)! Quickly, please invite him in!"
The two servants' attitude towards Xiao Xuan and his companion was completely different from their attitude towards the Fuyuan Escort Agency.
Xiao Xuan couldn't quite put his finger on what was strange. Even if Fu Lianzhuang was a regular customer on his escort missions, he shouldn't be this enthusiastic, right?
It felt like they had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Fuyuan Escort Agency.