Mercenary

This time, Jia Xi brings me to a rather small but grand building. There is a courtyard beyond the entrance, merchant carriages line up the side with boxes littered around. To the left, many martial artists crowd together and chat.

Impressive. Most of them are in the range of level 15 to level 50.

Some turn their attention to me, more specifically Jia Xi.

Jia Xi parks her carriage near the entrance. "Is it alright now?" She asks, talking about my sword.

I take the jade daggers left behind by her protectors and place them behind Jia Xi before pulling my sword out of the carriage.

"Oh come on..." She groans. "I'm a weak girl, I can't do anything to you."

"I will let you go after I join the mission," I say.

...

"Fine."

We alight the carriage with my arms still behind her back, the dagger is hidden in the sleeves of my long robe.

She brings me to a bearded old man in a brown and pale robe. He gazes at both of us with his azure eyes, the wrinkles on his forehead furrows. 

That elderly, he has a scar across his closed left eye but a slim build.

-----------------------

Bai Long

level: 71

Hp: 51k

Qi: 20k

Qinggong: 521

Strength: 223

Intelligence: 41

------------------------

!!!

The old man is called Bai Long. I gulp as I check his status. I feel no pressure from him, someone of his calibre should emit tension wherever he goes. So this is the ability to hold back...

"Jia Xi! Who is this man?" Bai Long says, glancing at me.

"He is someone who wants to be a mercenary for a big job that pays well." Says Jia Xi.

"Hm... I see. Alright, we have one open spot for a very simple commission. Since you are not an official mercenary yet, the association will be taking 20% as a fee, do you mind?"

"I don't," I reply.

"Alright, follow me."

"Thank you very much!" I say, bowing to the elder.

...

"Can I go now?" Says Jia Xi.

"..."

I remove my right arm and she turns around, leaving with the carriage while caressing her back wound.

Bai Long guides me into the luxurious house and to a desk where a young boy is behind it.

"Here, take this plate." He says, gazing at my entire physique with his hands out. The wooden plate with the word "Tiger" carved on it and a small red string attached to the back, I take it.

"That's it?" I ask. "There isn't any test or..."

"Not really, we are not the one paying you. The commissioner is. They requested 20 mercenaries but we only had 19, nobody else wanted to take part so thank your luck." Bai Long says.

I'm not surprised. Anyone with a rational mind would find this too suspicious.

"Ah! Okay, thank you very much." I say, bowing.

Bai Long smiles and nods. "Go to the carriage over there that's about to leave." He says, pointing at the pale brown carriage parked near the entrance.

I follow his instructions and walk toward the group who raise their brow at me. A man, wearing a monocle and expensive red robes with jewellery lining, fidgets with the door leading into the carriage. He glares at me when noticing my presence.

I show him the wooden plate. "...Alright, get ready. We are leaving in 5 minutes, ask the rest of the hooligans to explain everything to you." The arrogant man brushes his brown moustache and climbs up to the coachman seat.

The carriage is fully sealed and covered by wooden planks. Not a single window is seen. It must be something precious...

"They are even letting a chickling participate?!" One of the mercenaries in my group complains.

"How is that your problem?" Another one says.

"No, I'm just worried he will be a burden."

"Now now, with us here, there is no way anything can happen." Says a big bald man wearing a leather coat, a white robe, and a small cheap silver necklace around his neck. "Newbie, do you know how to ride a horse?"

I nod. I've ridden a horse a few times with my father, he liked to travel to places near my village. The thought sent me a sensation of grief and nostalgia. 

I take a deep breath. 

...

Even when our body refuses to, we mortals have to move on. We have to move forward. Death occurs every day and it isn't uncommon for a family member to die. During those mini trips with my father, he taught me a lot of things...such as the true nature of the world and how to fend for myself. If it wasn't for him, I would have died long ago.

"Great. I'm Tian Qiang. There aren't really many rules. Just don't attempt to peek inside the carriage, listen to instructions at all times, and the usual protection of the carriage. All of us lucked out! They are paying 7 times more than normal!" The bald man says.

"Hey! Are you not going to introduce us?" The man who complained says.

"You bastards can introduce yourself."

"Isn't it a bit too suspicious?" I whisper to Tian Qiang.

"Yes. But without risk, there isn't gain. Don't poke your nose into things you shouldn't and we are set." Tian Qiang replies.

...

I nod. "Thank you for your advice."

"No problem-"

"Hey! We are leaving!" The coachman says.

Tian Qiang throws a glance at me and the brown horse behind the carriage. "Get on that horse."

I comply and jump up.

*Gallop* *Gallop*

The carriage starts to move and every mercenary follows, I accompany them from behind.

------------------

Tian Qiang

level: 42

Hp: 8k

Qi: 5k

Qinggong: 92

Strength: 189

Intelligence: 19

-------------------

Not bad of a stats. There are 20 of us here, all 19 are better than me.

However, I need to find an opportunity... An opportunity to steal whatever special goods are in the carriage.

The group rides out of Tie Guang and into the woods.