Chapter 115: Great River Escort Agency, Not a Request

After Zheng Hui swore his allegiance, Lu Yang finally stood up.

He glanced at the middle aged man before speaking one last time.

"Remember to keep an eye on the news from Luoyun Prefecture and Wuyuan Province as a whole. I want to know about any significant changes, especially those involving cultivation factions, influential families, and unusual discoveries."

Zheng Hui immediately nodded.

"This humble one will remember."

Lu Yang gave a faint hum.

"In the future, I intend to expand this business considerably. However, there is no need to rush. For now, establish a firm foothold in this county before thinking about anything else."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"Do not become impatient just because you have received some capital. A business that expands too quickly without a stable foundation will eventually collapse under its own weight."

Zheng Hui listened attentively, committing every word to memory.

He might have lost most of his family’s wealth, but he had not forgotten the lessons his father had taught him.

A merchant needed to know when to advance and when to retreat. Only after establishing a stable foundation could one think about expanding one’s influence.

Lu Yang’s advice was entirely reasonable.

"Senior’s guidance is invaluable. This humble one will proceed cautiously."

"Good." Lu Yang nodded.

"I will arrange for some people to work with you. They will come here tomorrow, and you should cooperate with them. They will also help you handle several matters that would otherwise be inconvenient for you."

Zheng Hui was briefly surprised.

He had assumed that he would have to rebuild everything himself, but it seemed this mysterious senior had already made other arrangements.

Naturally, he did not question the decision and bowed deeply.

"Understood, senior."

Lu Yang did not say anything further, and the next moment, his figure suddenly disappeared from the hall.

Zheng Hui and his wife stared at the empty space before them, unable to react for several moments.

Although they had already witnessed Lu Yang’s extraordinary abilities, seeing him vanish so abruptly still left them shocked.

After a while, Zheng Hui finally released a long breath.

He looked down at the three pouches of silver, slowly clenching his fists.

This time, he absolutely could not afford to fail.

...

Meanwhile, Lu Yang had already arrived in another district of the county town.

Unlike the relatively modest residential area where Zheng Hui lived, this place was considerably more prosperous.

Large mansions lined the streets, and the number of cultivators moving through the area was noticeably greater.

Lu Yang continued moving forward until he arrived before a grandiose mansion.

A large plaque hung above its entrance, bearing four bold characters.

’Great River Escort Agency.’

Lu Yang glanced at the plaque before stepping inside.

The guards standing at the entrance had not even finished asking about his identity when his figure disappeared from before them.

By the time they realized something was wrong, the masked young man had already entered the main hall.

At that moment, an elderly man was discussing business with two middle aged men.

The old man appeared to be in his seventies, but his body was robust, and his eyes possessed the sharpness of someone accustomed to making difficult decisions.

He was the head of the Great River Escort Agency.

The two middle aged men standing before him were his sons, both of whom had inherited their father’s cultivation.

Their conversation concerned the agency’s recent business and the difficulties caused by the Liang Family’s growing influence.

Although the Great River Escort Agency had operated in the county for nearly a century, it could not afford to ignore the changes taking place around it.

The Liang Family’s influence had expanded considerably in recent years, and its connections with the Moonlight Pavilion made the situation even more troublesome.

The escort agency could not simply abandon its existing business and move elsewhere.

Its reputation, connections, and local foundations had been accumulated over generations. Leaving would mean giving up almost everything.

The old man was still considering how to respond when a figure suddenly appeared in the main hall.

His expression changed drastically, and the two middle aged men reacted almost simultaneously.

Their pupils shrank, and they all instinctively retreated several steps.

None of them had sensed the slightest movement before the newcomer appeared, that alone was enough to tell them that they were facing someone far beyond their abilities.

The masked young man glanced at them, locking onto the elderly man.

"Are you the head of the Great River Escort Agency?"

The old man immediately bowed.

"This old man is indeed the head of the Great River Escort Agency. May I ask what brings senior here?"

His attitude was extremely cautious and respectful.

He had operated in the cultivation world for decades and understood that strength determined how one should conduct oneself.

Even if the visitor appeared young, his abilities were clearly extraordinary.

Judging by the pressure emanating from him, he was at least a Spirit Awakening cultivator.

Such a person was not someone the Great River Escort Agency could afford to offend.

Lu Yang nodded.

"From tomorrow onwards, the Great River Escort Agency will cooperate with Zheng Hui of the Zheng Family while also keeping an eye on him."

The old man froze, and his two sons exchanged bewildered glances.

Zheng Hui?

They naturally knew who Zheng Hui was, after all, the Zheng Family’s decline had been a subject of discussion among local merchants for several years.

But why would a mysterious expert suddenly appear and order them to cooperate with him?

Before the old man could ask anything, Lu Yang continued.

"This is an opportunity for your agency. If you perform well, there will naturally be rewards."

His voice was as calm as if he was discussing an ordinary business arrangement.

However, the three men did not dare to treat it lightly.

The old man had lived long enough to understand what those words implied.

This was not a request, but an order.

He bowed deeply as he affirmed.

"This old man understands. We will do our best to cooperate with Mr. Zheng."

Lu Yang studied him for a moment before nodding.

"Good."

With that single word, his figure disappeared once again.