: The Choice! Another Divination

In Chen Lu's view, who had experience with layoffs at a major company in his previous life, these seemingly plausible rumors were just the Wang family releasing them to test everyone's attitude towards them.

At first, there was a lot of opposition, but as the rumors became more and more believable, people either had to passively accept them or were kicked out of the escort agency.

Escorts only know how to protect goods; they can't do anything outside of this line of work. Other escort agencies, on the other hand, have their own small groups and generally don't accept outsiders.

To keep their jobs, the bodyguards would most likely agree, because they had no other choice.

Chen Lu wouldn't sit idly by and wait for his fate. He wanted to find a stable side job, a career that wouldn't lower his quality of life even if he stopped being a bodyguard.

At least in the short term, the income of bodyguards is still quite considerable and stable.

"Brothers, you must keep the matter of Yuanshengmen robbing the caravan in mind."

"For this escort mission, everyone should spread out to avoid being targeted by a barrage of arrows."

The third镖头 (head镖师) looked around at everyone, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke:

"I need two people to scout ahead. Any brothers willing to go?"

Now that the caravan is short of guides and has no one to clear the way, they dare not proceed.

The memory of the three scouts being taken down quietly last time was still lingering in everyone's minds.

But right now, someone has to temporarily take on this dangerous job.

Although the bodyguards were stronger than the porters, they couldn't overcome the enemy's superior numbers and might easily be ambushed.

The bodyguards exchanged glances, none of them willing to take on the task.

We're all not young anymore; we all have large families to support.

I can't imagine what they would do if something happened to me.

Wang Dalong looked at Chen Lu, wanting to get his opinion.

Chen Lu understood what he meant; he desperately wanted the Third Escort's approval.

It made him believe that he was capable, responsible, and worthy of his young daughter.

Chen Lu simply shook his head, indicating that he would talk about it later.

With so many people around and so many opinions, he can consult a fortune teller when it's convenient to ask about the outcome, and then make a decision later.

The three镖头 (head镖师) saw the hardships the group was facing, but for the sake of the entire镖队 (镖队, a type of ...

"I know this is sudden and no one was prepared. If any of you brothers are willing to go, you can contact me privately. The reward will definitely satisfy you."

The bodyguards dispersed and returned to their positions to escort the traveling caravan.

Chen Lu made an excuse to send Wang Dalong away. After using a few cleansing talismans, he straightened his clothes, touched the depths of his soul, and silently chanted.

"Disciple Chen Lu humbly beseeches the divine will to reveal the fortune or misfortune of this journey!"

The divination bucket trembled, and the real divination slip flew out, transforming into four rays of light that floated deep within the soul.

[Medium-medium fortune - Draw: Stop your companion from scouting and stay with the group. You are ambushed, but escape unharmed.]

[Medium-lower fortune - Neutral: Staying behind with the group instead of exploring with companions results in the loss of a companion, but you will receive a lost item.]

[Unfavorable Fortune - Ominous: Actively scouts the route, earning the appreciation of the three镖头 (bodyguards), who grant him a fortuitous opportunity. After setting out, he refuses to seek divine guidance, stubbornly clinging to his own opinions, and is severely wounded and captured.]

[Auspicious/Medium-Good Fortune: Taking the initiative... you will be given an opportunity. After setting out, you will seek divine guidance, see through the ambush, take the initiative, and obtain a small opportunity.]

The first two approaches involve remaining still, while the latter two involve taking the initiative, each leading to a different outcome.

My purpose in buying the Spirit-Attracting Crossbow is to proactively engage the enemy and solve the problem of insufficient range; I will not choose to avoid battle.

He doesn't have many true friends, but Zhao Dalong is one of them. He would never trade his companions for opportunities, nor would he ever consider it.

Currently, only 3 or 4 remain, the only difference between the two being that one requires consulting the divine planner.

Acting without consulting superiors and relying entirely on oneself is a dangerous thing.

After seeking instructions, taking the initiative based on the results is auspicious.

The answer is obvious: choose the medium-to-high odds.

With the Spirit-Guiding Crossbow, their once-proud range advantage will no longer exist.

Although crossbows are not as flexible as bows, their powerful firepower and longer range more than make up for it.

Besides, he wouldn't be foolish enough not to use cover.

The aid of the divination and the crossbow's extremely long range—these two preparations ensured his success, aligning with the auspicious divination.

Chen Lu summoned Zhao Dalong and told him his thoughts.

Tell him to follow your instructions and not to act rashly.

Zhao Dalong nodded in agreement without the slightest hesitation.

The two found the Third Escort together, and Chen Lu nudged Zhao Dalong, signaling that it was time for him to show his skills.

Zhao Dalong looked at Chen Lu with gratitude, stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said:

"Third Chief, we two are willing to lead the way."

The third镖头 glanced at Zhao Dalong, ignored him, and walked straight towards Chen Lu.

"Ah Lu, this job is extremely dangerous. You're still young, and although you have the skills, you don't have as much experience as the other masters. Don't you want to reconsider?"

"Don't worry, Third Chief Escort, I know how to act and won't delay the escort team."

"I'm just a third-ranking镖头 (bodyguard/escort), and I don't have many decisions to make within the镖局 (escort agency). The only thing I can do is double this month's base salary and incentives."

"Haven't you always wanted to learn that 'Sharp Metal Sword Finger' technique? Now that I'm back, I'll apply to the family, and with your previous contributions, that should be enough."

Upon hearing this, Chen Lu's eyes lit up. "Sharp Gold Sword Finger" was a high-grade Qi Refining secret technique, which came with its own sword energy and was stronger in terms of power, range, and even additional damage.

The Gengjin Finger, on the other hand, is a low-grade Qi Refining secret technique, the kind that's commonplace. Its only advantages are that it's easy to learn and consumes little spiritual energy, but in terms of power, it's the lowest tier.

He had always wanted to read "Sharp Gold Sword Pointing", but the Wang family always made excuses to refuse. After much pleading and cajoling, they were only willing to give him a mid-grade secret technique.

But he knew that once he agreed to exchange for a mid-grade secret technique, he would no longer have the chance to obtain a high-grade secret technique, which is why he kept delaying and did not exchange for it.

With the three镖头 (bodyguards) acting as guarantors and my uncle pulling the strings, this matter is almost certain to be accomplished.

"As for you, Da Long."

Hearing the Third Escort call his name, Zhao Dalong quickly jogged over and called out in greeting:

"Third Chief! I don't want anything!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Lu helplessly slapped his forehead.

This is not the time to show loyalty. If you don't want the gifts, and the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) agrees, what will the others who accept them think?

The words that the third镖头 was about to say suddenly caught in his throat. Looking into his determined eyes, he didn't know what to say for a moment.

"The spirit stone treatment is the same as Aru's, as for the reward..."

Zhao Dalong is the type of person who only needs to eat his fill to keep the rest of the family from going hungry.

He has no wife, no children, and his parents are in good health and do not require care.

Now that he has broken through to the fifth level of Qi Refining, he will not make much progress for a long time, and spirit stones will not be of much help to his cultivation.

As for magic or secret techniques, Zhao Dalong isn't Chen Lu. He's smarter, so learning more of them is actually a good thing.

But he's already done quite well by mastering the few skills he knows.

I thought about it over and over, but I still couldn't come to a conclusion.

If Zhao Dalong were only 10 years older than his youngest daughter, he might consider it.

He is 20 years older than her, and several years later, he will surely die of old age first, leaving his youngest daughter to live a life of widowhood. She will be happy for a while, but will suffer for the rest of her life. He cannot help but consider the future.