CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30: EERIE MISSION!

Even though Beiliang County’s Jade Cauldron Tower is merely a branch and not very large, unlike those branches in prefecture or state cities, it still has over ten Medicine Gatherers, and the majority are Martial Masters. Together, they are quite a force.

Gu Yuan is just a newcomer who has recently joined; if there is a great opportunity, how could it fall to him?

"You’ll understand this point in a moment."

Zhou Zhong smiled mysteriously but remained cryptic, saying no more and then turned and left after a few more words.

Gu Yuan didn’t think much further and went straight to the second floor where Yang Han was located.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Sir, subordinate Gu Yuan requests an audience."

Arriving at the outside of a room, Gu Yuan knocked on the door, and soon Yang Han’s voice sounded from within:

"Enter."

Gu Yuan pushed the door open and entered, seeing Yang Han sitting at a desk, holding a brush, writing something, not sparing him a glance.

Seeing this, Gu Yuan closed the door with care and stood respectfully beside, not uttering a word to disturb.

After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Yang Han finally put down his pen, looked towards Gu Yuan, and upon seeing him silent, a hint of satisfaction crossed his eyes.

Clearly, the young man before him was not a reckless boy who knew nothing.

"Hmm?"

But in the next moment, his eyes flickered, seemingly discovering something, and with a hint of surprise, he asked: "You’ve now achieved Great Success in Refining Skin and become a Martial Master?"

It had only been a little over twenty days since Gu Yuan obtained the Martial Arts manual.

Achieving Great Success in Refining Skin in just about twenty days was indeed quite fast.

Moreover, he remembered that back then, Gu Yuan had chosen the "Spiritual Snake Swordsmanship" instead of Inner Cultivation Martial Arts.

This indicated that the young man had some secrets.

"Sir’s eyes are sharp; a while back, I apprenticed under an elderly master, and it is thanks to his guidance that I’ve made progress."

Gu Yuan lied without a change in his expression or heartbeat.

"Hmm, it’s good. Since you became a Martial Master, there happens to be a task tomorrow, and you can join in."

Yang Han nodded knowingly, the surprise in his heart quickly dissipating.

Achieving Great Success in Refining Skin is just the first step to being a Martial Master, and going fast isn’t extraordinary; he naturally knew there were many ways to achieve this.

Such as cultivating some Evil Magic or consuming certain Spirit Elixirs.

Besides, Gu Yuan had been purchasing Medicine Doves and other nourishing materials recently, of which he was somewhat aware, added to having a master’s guidance, it wasn’t surprising he could become a Martial Master so quickly.

Knock, knock, knock!

Yang Han tapped the table and said: "Tomorrow at noon, our Jade Cauldron Tower will have a batch of medicinal materials transported to Cyan Willow Town. Some veteran Medicine Gatherers from our branch have been assigned to other tasks and temporarily unavailable. You’ll join as an accompanying personnel, then."

As he spoke, he handed a contract to Gu Yuan.

Gu Yuan took it, discovering it outlined simple information about this task.

The gist was that the goods transported this time were valuable, requiring him to accompany as a guard, with weapons carried by himself, while food and accommodation would be managed by the caravan.

This transport task was estimated to take about ten days round trip, upon completion, he would earn twenty Contribution Points and five taels of silver.

In terms of compensation, this was indeed quite generous; ordinarily, it’s something that wouldn’t come to Gu Yuan.

Moreover, Gu Yuan noticed a few signatures at the bottom of the contract, including Zhou Zhong’s, no wonder he was so mysterious earlier; he evidently knew about it beforehand.

Gu Yuan decisively signed his name upon it and pressed his Hand Seal, seeing Yang Han sipping tea, he sensibly took his leave.

But once Gu Yuan was out the door, he furrowed his brows.

"This task seems a bit off!"

For some reason, he felt vaguely that something was peculiar about this task.

The entire Jade Cauldron Tower had over ten Medicine Gatherers; how could it be such a coincidence that almost all of them were dispatched this time?

Moreover, for an ordinary transportation task, was the compensation perhaps a bit too generous?

"Wait, given my current status, even if I sense abnormalities, what can I do? Could I even refuse?"

Thinking about it, Gu Yuan suddenly laughed at himself, shaking his head privately.

"Since it’s a task personally assigned by Yang Han, he surely knows some inside information, maybe even has plans, refusal is certainly not an option. Moreover if I say it out, it might even attract trouble for me!"

Thinking of this, Gu Yuan felt a bit helpless.

This is a drawback of joining a certain influence; one must comply with their rules, orders from above have to be followed, or there are plenty of ways they can deal with you.

What he can do now is be as careful as possible.

...

The next day, in the morning.

Gu Yuan, carrying a Long Sword and backpack, arrived early in front of the Jade Cauldron Tower.

By this time, a caravan had already gathered on the street in front of Jade Cauldron Tower.

This caravan had a leader, as well as horsemen, guards, cooks, presumably more than twenty people, a total of six carts, and three horses.

Except for one empty cart guarded by two young maids, the other five carts were loaded with medicinal materials.

As for the accompanying Medicine Gatherers, apart from Zhou Zhong, Gu Yuan also spotted a skinny elder. This man held a Pure Iron Smoke Gun over three feet long, with a smoke pot as big as a baby’s fist, seemingly capable of easily smashing a person’s skull, appearing rather intimidating.

From this old man, Gu Yuan sensed a hint of danger.

Soon, three people came out from Jade Cauldron Tower.

To Gu Yuan’s surprise, the leader was actually Steward Yang Han; the other two behind him were a young man and woman.

The woman was beautifully featured, with elegant eyebrows and cherry lips, her skin was smooth and fair, clearly a rarely seen beauty.

Hanging at her slim waist was a delicate Curved Saber.

As for the young man, considering his appearance, he somewhat resembled Yang Han and seemed to be his nephew.

However, Gu Yuan noticed that this young man occasionally glanced at the young lady with a hint of infatuation in his concealed gaze.

"Is everyone here?"

Yang Han glanced around: "Very well, I will introduce briefly, so you can coordinate better as you get acquainted."

He first pointed at the young lady: "Her surname is Xia, full name Xia Xiuxue, she’s also the daughter of our Jade Cauldron Tower’s Pavilion Master."

"This time, just like you, she’s accompanying as a Medicine Gatherer."

Then pointed at the young man beside her: "This is Yang Jianfei, also a Medicine Gatherer."

The young lady, Xia Xiuxue, stepped forward a few paces, and gave Gu Yuan and others a gentle bow: "Greetings, everyone."

Gu Yuan and others quickly bowed in return, and introduced themselves in turn.

While it was understandable for Yang Han to escort the valuable goods, citing it as a safety precaution, the presence of Pavilion Master’s daughter on a task was peculiarly odd... Gu Yuan increasingly confirmed his suspicion, this task indeed harbors hidden pitfalls!

Jade Cauldron Tower has numerous branches, apart from the Headquarters Leader known as "Leader," all other branch leaders are termed as "Pavilion Master."

Beiliang County’s Pavilion Master reportedly is an Innate Martial Master, quite mysterious, always in secluded cultivation, appearing publicly rarely, Gu Yuan hadn’t seen him, at least.

As the Pavilion Master’s daughter, her nobility was far beyond that of ordinary Medicine Gatherers like Gu Yuan; there’s no reason for her to partake in such a task.

So hearing this lady will also accompany, anyone with eyes can sense abnormalities.

At least, Gu Yuan noticed the elder with the Smoke Gun knocking ashes with a hint of wariness.

Only Zhou Zhong seemed completely oblivious.