Chapter Forty-Three: The Righteous Spirit Escort Agency

Watching the girl’s mischievous and clever expression, Lin Cheng touched his nose. The corners of his mouth curled into a roguish smile as he said, “Just myself.”

“What! You actually eat little rabbits… Rabbits are so cute, how can you eat them…” The moment the girl’s gaze fell upon the freshly roasted wild rabbit above the fire, she put her hands on her hips and glared angrily at Lin Cheng.

Lin Cheng was stunned.

Why shouldn’t the wild rabbit be eaten…? But he kept those words to himself.

“Don’t mind her, young man. Our lady is just kind-hearted. Whenever she sees an injured animal, she always stops to bandage it,” said a burly man with a full beard, one of the three companions following behind the girl.

Lin Cheng waved his hand and smiled faintly. “Passing through here, I truly had no provisions, so I caught some game along the way. If I’ve offended you, miss, please forgive me…”

“Well… I won’t eat rabbits anymore,” he said, taking the initiative to apologize, which surprised the girl.

Tilting her head, she studied Lin Cheng closely. “It’s so late, and you’re all alone in these wild mountains. Aren’t you afraid?”

Lin Cheng blinked.

Afraid? I’m a cultivator—what is there to fear? Afraid a wild beast might eat me instead? But after considering, he replied, “I’ve practiced martial arts since childhood. I don’t think I’ll encounter any trouble in these wild woods, so there’s nothing to fear.”

“Haha, so you’re a man of the martial world as well…,” laughed a man dressed in animal hide. “But someone as innocent as you should be careful when wandering outside.”

Lin Cheng said, “Thank you for the reminder, brothers. I’ll be sure to pay attention.”

“By the way, may I ask why you’re here so late at night?”

Before the three men could answer, the girl in pink spoke first, “We’re from the Righteous Escort Agency, transporting goods from Dragon City to Autumn Bright City…”

“We’re passing through here and planned to set up camp for a break…” she continued, “Then we saw your firelight and came to check…”

Suddenly remembering, she asked, “Right, what’s your name?”

Seeing the purity in her gaze, Lin Cheng felt a fondness for her. “My name is Lin Cheng.”

Lin Cheng.

She repeated his name silently. “I’m An An. It’s so late, and you don’t seem to have anywhere to rest. Why not stay at our camp for the night?”

Lin Cheng thought to himself that she truly was a kind soul. Hesitating only briefly, he clasped his hands in thanks. “Then I’ll thank you in advance, Miss An An.”

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They arrived at the camp.

By then, the crew had already pitched the tents.

Seeing the girl approach, everyone quickly put down what they were doing and respectfully greeted her, “Greetings, young lady.”

“Miss, your tent has been prepared. Would you like to rest now?” asked an elderly man of about sixty, who looked like a steward.

“Uncle Fu, don’t worry about me. I’m not tired yet, you go rest first,” An An replied, then turned to glance at Lin Cheng.

She introduced him, “This is Lin Cheng; he’ll be staying at the camp tonight. Please arrange a place for him…”

Uncle Fu scrutinized Lin Cheng with a hint of caution. “Young man, please follow me.”

He led Lin Cheng to a tent far enough from the girl’s quarters and settled him in, then departed.

Lin Cheng shrugged and entered the tent.

He spent a sleepless night. At dawn, Lin Cheng emerged from his meditation, stood up, and stretched outside the tent, loosening his limbs.

“Brother Lin, you’re up early!” The bearded man from last night strode over.

Lin Cheng smiled, “I couldn’t sleep, so I got up to move around…”

“Looks like you didn’t sleep either, big brother?” Noting the man’s tired face, Lin Cheng guessed he’d spent the night guarding the camp.

The man waved his hand. “Just call me Li Chuang. I’m used to it… For us martial artists, it’s nothing. Someone must always keep watch at night.”

“Oh, you’re up too?” came An An’s voice from nearby.

Lin Cheng smiled, “You’re awake as well, aren’t you?”

An An pouted, “Where are you headed next?”

Lin Cheng replied, “I don’t know yet. I wander wherever I please, without a set destination…”

Upon hearing this, An An said impulsively, “Why not come with us to Autumn Bright City?”

A trace of hope flashed in her eyes as she spoke. She wasn’t sure why, but the young man before her felt very familiar, perhaps because of the clarity and purity in his gaze.

Lin Cheng pondered for a moment, then nodded with a teasing smile, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll eat rabbits along the way?”

The girl instantly pretended to be fierce.

“No, no, I’m just joking…”

The bearded man couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the scene.

……

With the sun rising, the caravan set out in grand fashion toward Autumn Bright City.

Along the way, everyone chatted and laughed, seemingly unconcerned about dangers on the road.

They had been escorting goods between Dragon City and Autumn Bright City for decades. Whenever the Righteous Escort Agency’s banner appeared, the local bandits showed them respect.

Though they’d met a few foolhardy robbers, none were ever a match for them.

Over time, the Righteous Escort Agency’s reputation spread far and wide in these lands.

An An rode ahead on a white horse.

It was clear that everyone held her in high esteem; their occasional glances at her carried a hint of reverence.

This respect was evidently not just because of her status as the young lady.

Lin Cheng found himself growing curious about An An.

“Miss An An, you seem quite young—how did you come to work as an escort?” he asked, riding alongside her.

Hearing this, An An lifted her head proudly. “You’re not that old yourself, yet you’re out wandering…”

“I’ll have you know, I’m very capable. I refuse to be cooped up at home by my father—it’s so boring I’d die…”

Lin Cheng smiled wryly.

Li Chuang rode up from behind at this moment.

“Haha, Brother Lin, you might not know, but our young lady speaks the truth…”

“Don’t be fooled by her delicate appearance. In fact, she’s the strongest fighter in the whole team.”

Oh? Could An An be a cultivator?

Thinking this, Lin Cheng observed the girl closely.

But as she wasn’t using spiritual power, he couldn’t sense anything.

“So it seems I’ve underestimated Miss An An,” Lin Cheng said.

An An replied, “Of course. When we return to Dragon City, I’ll show you what I can do…”

Lin Cheng: “……”

On the mountain road, the long caravan moved steadily forward.

The blazing sun had already climbed overhead.

A mountain breeze swept through, relieving some of the heat.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Li Chuang approached An An. “Miss, it’s already three quarters past noon…”

“It’s midsummer, and the brothers have been marching since dawn. After several hours, their legs are weary. Should we rest ahead for a bit?”

An An glanced back at the tired-looking team. “Let’s take a break.”

Receiving the order, Li Chuang raised his hand and called loudly, “The young lady commands—we’ll rest in the forest ahead!”

Lin Cheng considered their location; passing through this forest and crossing the mountain range ahead should bring them to Autumn Bright City.

Noticing Lin Cheng deep in thought, An An walked over and tossed him a water flask filled with fresh water.

“Here.”

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