Mixed Feelings

The head镖师 felt a surge of annoyance.

This delivery could have been completed very smoothly, but the other party suddenly pulled this stunt.

The commotion was quite significant, attracting many long-time clients of the local security escort agencies to watch.

After all, the delivery time is fixed, the houses here are large and the rent is cheap, so they are often used as warehouses. The houses are not far apart, so people are waiting at the door early to receive the goods.

These people were whispering among themselves, and some even said that the Wang Family Escort Agency had failed in its mission this time, ruining the other party's elixir.

No matter how he explained it, saying it was just a misunderstanding, these people agreed on the surface, but the seeds of doubt had already been sown in their hearts.

As time goes on, it will inevitably explode one day.

If business declines, the security escort agency will be unable to afford to keep them and will therefore lay them off.

Leaving aside trust and loyalty, the market price of a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator alone would make many escort agencies or guard teams hesitate, let alone someone as old as him.

Even if it weren't for the sake of the security company, but just for my own family, I couldn't let those clients be lost.

"Let's inform the family first."

With a heavy heart, the third镖头 (bodyguard/escort) finished delivering the last truckload of goods and left with difficulty amidst the suspicious gazes of those people.

"Ah Song, I'll temporarily put the escort team in your care for the next few days. Just handle things as they come, or we can discuss it when I get back."

After entrusting the affairs of the security escort agency to Wang Shengsong, he quickly left.

The other镖师 (bodyguards/escorts) also noticed the change in this delivery. Although they were anxious, they were helpless and could only take it one step at a time.

Chen Lu had anticipated this would happen before he even set off.

It's simply that competitors have risen rapidly, catching established manufacturers off guard.

Then, through various means, they gradually pushed it into a state of utter despair.

But he was not flustered at all. With the daily post hanging up, he had nothing to worry about.

By evening, Chen Lu had exchanged his possession for Amo.

Zhao Dalong originally wanted to go with him, but it was inconvenient to deal with the situation with the Third Escort.

So he could only watch enviously as Chen Lu went off to Wangyue Tower to enjoy himself.

Chizhu Immortal City is extremely large and prosperous. At night, the entire city is brightly lit, and the noise and laughter make it never boring.

But in Maple Leaf Village, once darkness falls, the only sounds within a hundred miles are the chirping of insects and birds in the fields and the roar of the iron smelting workshop.

Except for a few streets, it was almost completely silent.

He could only stay at home or in his meditation room, and had no other pleasures; he was terribly lonely.

Wangyue Tower is a small place, and can only be considered an ordinary brothel.

The last time I hired them, I found a batch of forbidden drugs that could intoxicate the mind from Fenglinfang.

The reason I buy medicine in Fenglinfang instead of the surrounding areas is twofold: firstly, the quality of small workshops is not guaranteed, and secondly, there are too many acquaintances there, so it would be difficult to deal with if they found out about my actions.

It's better to run far away; as long as you don't say anything, no one can find any fault with you.

"My lord~ We have a new girl here today, and she knows quite a few good songs!"

"Each person gets a seat at Baling Stone, two jars of fine wine, three ounces of braised meat, and they sing until dawn!"

A scantily clad, curvaceous maidservant clung to Chen Lu's arm, enthusiastically introducing him.

"No need for music, I'm here to take care of business."

Chen Luliang showed the card in his hand.

"Where is your head maid? Call her here."

Most brothels in Chizhu Immortal City divide women into five classes.

First-class courtesan, second-class top-ranking courtesan, third-class seated girl, fourth-class prostitute, fifth-class brothel girl.

The prostitutes around him who solicited customers had no special talents and were of average appearance; they were fourth-class prostitutes, and he only ordered these girls on ordinary days.

However, the three镖头 (bodyguards) offered third-class girls, which normally cost forty spirit stones a night. Half a month's work would be wasted, so it was too expensive for them to afford.

Now that we can finally have a decent meal, of course we can't afford to eat these ordinary things anymore.

Not long after, the head steward, who was somewhat old but still had an impressive appearance and figure, swayed her hips as she walked over.

The head maid took the card, secretly wiped it, and after seeing the origin of the inscription, she smiled and greeted her:

"Oh, it's you, Master Bodyguard! Come this way! I'll pick one out for you right away!"

"OK!"

Chen Lu waved his hand, signaling a servant beside him to lead him to a private room.

A moment later, the head maid led seven or eight girls to stand in front of him.

"Master Bodyguard~ This gentleman's name is..."

Chen Lu listened to the introduction and examined the items carefully, but none of the first few were suitable.

Near the end, the head maid said again, "This lady is called Tao'er. She comes from Fenglinfang and is quite knowledgeable about spiritual herbs."

"If you'd like, sir, you can add some spirit stones so you can enjoy her secret-recipe medicinal wine to relax."

"Hello, sir/madam!"

Peach Girl had a soft voice and downcast eyes. Her figure was not as voluptuous as other girls, but she was curvaceous and had a unique charm.

"He actually knows about elixirs?"

Chen Lu was somewhat suspicious, but this was a freebie, so even if he didn't understand it, he wouldn't lose anything.

"She's the one!"

the next day.

Chen Lu slowly woke up, put on his clothes, and prepared to leave.

Peach Girl sat up, gently rubbing her knees, a hint of reminiscence on her face.

"Lu Lang~ Are you satisfied with my service?"

Chen Lu did not answer, but instead asked about his own affairs.

"How deep is Miss Peach's knowledge of pharmacology?"

Peach Girl was puzzled. Usually, customers would give a small tip and then have another round, so why was he asking about something completely unrelated?

But she didn't think much of it, and simply said in a soft voice:

"My ancestors have cultivated medicinal herbs for generations, so I know the types and pharmacology of them very well."

Chen Lu was somewhat surprised. Cultivating medicinal herbs was far better than what he was doing now, so why go to such lengths and give up such a promising future?

Miss Tao noticed Chen Lu's confusion, but simply sighed softly and said slowly:

"Many years ago, my father died while collecting herbs on the mountain. My mother was devastated and fell ill."

"I sold much of my family property and borrowed some spirit stones, but I still couldn't save my mother. I'm desperate and have no choice but to come here to beg for a meal."

She didn't complain or blame others, nor did she try to gain sympathy by feigning pitifulness; she simply answered calmly, as if she were talking about someone else's affairs.

Although Peach Girl's story is pitiful, Chen Lu has no deep connection with her and has no intention of helping her.

Not to mention that due to the price barrier, the two will hardly see each other in the future, and saying more will only leave them with lingering regrets.

"Miss Peach, do you know what this is?"

Peach Girl composed herself, placed a piece of cloth in her hand, and took the cloth to examine it carefully.

"This is... wild Muyang grass, which has the effects of warding off evil spirits, strengthening yang, locking in yang, nourishing the body, and consolidating the foundation."

It grows in extremely sunny places, has demanding environmental requirements, and is difficult to cultivate on a large scale.

The fruit must be picked within fifteen minutes of midday; otherwise, its medicinal properties will vanish, and the medicinal effects will completely dissipate before sunset.

Chen Lu was surprised, not expecting that missing the deadline would lead to this: "What about the Anzhi talisman? Is it still effective?"

Peach Girl shook her head and said seriously:

"The Anzhi Talisman is not a panacea; it is only effective on most elixirs."

For those that are very old, or of special types such as extremely yang or extremely yin, the planting talisman can only slow down, not stop, their effects.

"What's the price?"

This is what Chen Lu cares about most.

"Your 60-year-old wild Muyang Grass is worth many times more than non-wild Muyang Grass. If you sell it to a pharmacy, it can fetch 1,200 Xia Ling."

If you sell them to an alchemist, you can get 1,800 pieces, but I suggest you sell them to a pharmacy instead of an alchemist.

Chen Lu was taken aback. Selling to alchemists would earn him an extra six hundred spirit stones. Why not earn that much money?