Xia Ci's housewarming party proceeded as scheduled, although there was one fewer person than originally expected—Qu Heng.
Qu Heng had left overnight the previous evening.
The Changfeng Escort Agency was a well-known established escort agency in Linjiang Prefecture with strong capabilities, able to secure many big businesses. However, a business as significant as this one was something Xia Ci had never encountered during his three years at the Changfeng Escort Agency.
But great rewards often come with great risks.
Xia Ci could only pray that Qu Heng would complete his task safely. In the martial world, even in the context of the entire country, they belonged to the high-income group, but the price was having to risk their lives at any moment.
Take Xia Ci, for example. What he was doing now was even more dangerous than escorting shipments. His previous journey to Zhushan County had earned him money that an ordinary person couldn't earn in a lifetime. This was the allure of the martial world.
After the housewarming party, the next day.
Yan Sanniang arrived, having successfully obtained an invitation commission from Wang Yuanbao, the richest man in Yongan County.
Yan Sanniang handed a gold-embossed invitation card to Xia Ci and said, "In these few days, news about Silver Fox's assassination attempt on Wang Yuanbao has spread. Many bounty hunters have gone to Yongan County, as well as many martial artists who want to kill Silver Fox and make a name for themselves.
The Wang family has already begun to impose strict security measures. Without an invitation, it's impossible to enter. Currently, besides the constables from the Six Panels Office, Wang Yuanbao has also invited several renowned masters from the martial world. However, the main attraction is still the gold-medal bounty hunters sent by the three pursuit towers—Dongyang, Fuwei, and Xinyi. These three people are your biggest competitors, but because of this, although this task is big, the risk is actually not high.
Dongyang Pursuit Tower has sent White-Haired Elder. This man has been famous for many years, successfully killing over two hundred wanted criminals, including more than ten at the thousand-tael bounty level like Flying Dragon. His martial arts are extraordinarily high, specializing in claw techniques that can break gold and split stone.
Fuwei Pursuit Tower has sent Scholar. This person doesn't have as many achievements as White-Haired Elder, having only captured or killed about thirty wanted criminals. He has emerged in recent years, but he has captured a wanted criminal ranked fifteenth on Yun Province's Black List. He specializes in sword techniques but rarely displays his skills.
Xinyi has sent Hermit, a lightness skill master who specializes in pursuit. Many wanted criminals have fallen into his hands, although most of them weren't very famous. Nevertheless, he is still a gold-medal bounty hunter because of his lightness skills. Once he targets a wanted criminal, they basically can't escape and will be followed continuously. Half a year ago, Jade Toothless, ranked eighteenth on the Black List, was constantly pursued by Hermit, couldn't shake him off, and was eventually surrounded and killed by the Six Panels Office according to signals left by Hermit."
Xia Ci asked, "What is the Black List?"
Xia Xiayin immediately explained, "It's a ranking list compiled by rumor organizations in Yun Province's martial world, based on various investigations, ranking the evil masters within Yun Province according to their deeds and displayed martial arts. There are thirty people in total. You can understand it as the thirty most valuable wanted criminals."
Yan Sanniang agreed, "That's right. Sister Xiayin summarized it very well—the thirty most valuable wanted criminals."
"What is Silver Fox's ranking?" Xia Ci asked.
"Twelfth," Yan Sanniang said. "Silver Fox's ranking is a bit low, because he has only struck nine times in total. Compared to other evil masters on the Black List, he has fewer deeds, so his ranking hasn't entered the top ten.
But this time, if he succeeds again, he will definitely enter the top ten. After all, Wang Yuanbao is no ordinary person, and with so many masters at the Wang family now, if he can still succeed, that would be truly extraordinary.
However, conversely, Young Hero Xia, if you can successfully bring back Silver Fox's head like you did with Flying Dragon, then you will directly become a gold-medal bounty hunter. In the future, I might not be able to call you Young Hero Xia anymore, but would have to call you Hero Xia!"
Xia Ci chuckled lightly but didn't follow up on the topic.
Yan Sanniang continued, "This time you won't need my undercover agents in Yongan County to provide assistance. However, I will give you a token. If needed, you can also find my undercover agents."
"Good."
...
Yongan County was the most prosperous among the dozen or so counties in Linjiang Prefecture, without exception, because it was where several major rivers converged, making it a true commercial hub, very bustling.
And in recent days, Yongan County had become even more bustling, with many martial artists flocking there. The reason, naturally, was Silver Fox's assassination attempt on Wang Yuanbao.
Wang Yuanbao was a wealthy merchant who owned more than a dozen large ships and controlled the largest dock, with countless enterprises. Although his main base was in Yongan County, in terms of wealth, he ranked among the top ten in the entire Linjiang Prefecture.
Many martial artists hoped to gain Wang Yuanbao's recognition under these circumstances, securing wealth for the rest of their lives. Others had different ideas, thinking of killing Silver Fox to gain instant fame.
In the martial world, most people wanted to make a name for themselves, and there were many ways to do so. But the simplest shortcut was to defeat or kill already famous masters, especially killing evil masters, which would both bring fame, being praised as a hero, and yield a substantial bounty.
However,
Wang Yuanbao was no ordinary person and naturally wouldn't let just anyone enter the Wang family mansion, especially since the martial world was full of opportunists. Moreover, if there were too many people, it could cause confusion, making it easier for the assassin to find an opportunity.
Therefore, the Wang family strictly controlled who could enter their estate.
Apart from the Six Panels Office, fewer than ten martial artists were currently allowed to enter the Wang family estate. Without exception, they were all renowned masters in the martial world. Xia Ci did not stand out among these people; in fact, he was quite conspicuous—giving the impression of an unknown figure among a group of celebrities.
However,
True to his merchant nature, Wang Yuanbao, despite Xia Ci's insufficient reputation, personally came to the gate to welcome him when a servant reported Xia Ci's arrival.
Wang Yuanbao's face was round as a full moon, gleaming with oil. His small eyes were narrowed to slits, flashing with the unique shrewdness of a merchant. His thick lips often wore a seemingly simple-hearted smile. He said enthusiastically, "Oh my, Hero Xia, you've finally arrived! We were just waiting for you. Quickly, quickly, please come in. I've already had a welcoming feast prepared for you!"
"Then many thanks to Master Wang," Xia Ci cupped his hands in salute.
"Please come in quickly," Wang Yuanbao didn't forget to attend to Xia Xiayin, saying, "Heroine Xia, please come in as well. Recently, I've heard so much about Hero Xia's name, it's truly been resounding in my ears. A few days ago, when I heard from Notsecond Manor that Hero Xia was willing to come help me, I was overjoyed. With your help, my little life should be safe."
"Master Wang is too kind."
Xia Ci could naturally hear that Wang Yuanbao was merely offering some flattery out of his merchant nature. He naturally wouldn't take it seriously. This was a common, habitual tactic used by merchants, after all, flattery cost nothing yet was most effective in building relationships.
However,
Xia Xiayin, hearing Wang Yuanbao's words, was quite pleased, unconsciously straightening her back. But just at that moment, a discordant voice suddenly rang out: "A blind man, coming to help? I'm afraid he's just here to swindle food, drinks, and money!"