Chapter 32: The Five Great Escort Agencies, The Iron Whip’s Might

In recent years, now well past sixty, Guan Shan had long since washed his hands of escort work, entrusting all affairs of the escort agency to the younger generation—his sons, nephews, and disciples.

Though the reputation of the agency remained formidable and business requests flowed in endlessly, such a large household also meant a multitude of mouths to feed. The daily expenses for both men and horses were by no means trifling. Moreover, other agencies, engaging in malicious price wars, siphoned away many clients who had once trusted their valuables to them. In this business, where profits were never high, the person in charge racked his brains for ways to attract more business and keep the agency afloat.

That morning, the training grounds of the agency were alive with activity. The younger members trained with fervor—some lifting stone locks, others practicing horse stances, still more sparring with swords and sabers. Old Master Guan Shan lay half-reclined on a bamboo chair, eyes narrowed against the sun, occasionally offering a word or two of instruction.

Suddenly, a figure dashed into the training ground from the front gate, swift as the wind, shouting as he ran, “A big job! Master, a rare big job has come our way!”

Guan Shan sat up straight on his bamboo chair, his voice robust, “Guan Ming, you rascal, what are you yelling about so early? What big job? Speak clearly!”

“Master, it’s truly a big one!” The man called Guan Ming could hardly contain his excitement. “A new, unfamiliar client just arrived at the front, and offered a deposit of two hundred taels straight away.”

“Two hundred taels, that is rather…” Guan Shan’s face froze, then he leaped to his feet. “You little scoundrel, trying to fool me? Since when is a two hundred tael deposit considered a big job?”

The agency usually accepted long-haul assignments, often requiring journeys across provinces and counties, with months away from home being the norm. Though two hundred taels was not a small sum, it was hardly more than the monthly wages for a dozen or so ordinary escorts—no wonder Guan Shan’s face darkened.

“Master, you must let me finish!” Guan Ming pleaded his innocence, then explained in detail.

“The client said he’d pay a two hundred tael deposit, so I asked what he wanted escorted, where it needed to go. But he said there was no need to travel, nothing to escort—the matter could be accomplished right here in Jiangting City. I was about to lose my temper, thinking he was here to make a fool of us, but then he simply tossed the two hundred tael banknote into my arms.”

A trace of incredulity flashed across Guan Ming’s face as he continued, “The client wants everyone in the agency to gather at the entrance, and said he’d send someone later with further instructions. He also told me to inform the Zhenyuan, Wantong, Sihai, and Changfeng agencies—each would receive a two hundred tael deposit as well, to have their people ready.”

Guan Shan’s expression soured even further. The four agencies Guan Ming mentioned were the only notable rivals near Jiangting City, always undercutting prices and poaching clients—there had been no shortage of heated disputes. Now, this mysterious client had summoned the five major agencies at once. What exactly was he planning?

“You actually sent people to notify them?”

“I did.” Guan Ming looked sheepish. “Who turns down money? That client not only gave each of them an eight hundred tael deposit, but also paid us an extra hundred taels as a ‘liaison fee.’ Without a moment’s delay, I sent Jia Quan and the others out to deliver the message. I imagine the other agencies should all know by now.”

“I found it all a bit far-fetched, so I pressed him further. The client assured me that whatever he needed us to do would not be illegal or forbidden, and that it would take, at most, an hour. He even said that if we succeeded, the authorities would look upon us with favor.”

“Master, the client mentioned you by name—he wishes for you to take charge personally. If we pull this off, your own appearance fee alone will be…” Guan Ming gestured with his hand.

“Fifty taels?” Guan Shan asked, uncertain.

“Far more! Five hundred taels!” Guan Ming exclaimed, agitated. “If we succeed, besides the two hundred tael deposit already in hand, there’ll be another four hundred taels for us, plus your five hundred tael appearance fee—a total of eleven hundred taels!”

“It won’t take even an hour, nor do we need to step outside Jiangting. Though I still don’t know exactly what we’ll be doing, it hardly sounds dangerous. We’ll be earning money while barely lifting a finger—picking up cash off the street wouldn’t be this easy! Master, wouldn’t you call that a lucrative job?”

“Excellent!” Old Guan Shan slapped his thigh with relish. “Today, I’ll make an exception and show my face to support you all.” He knew well the cost of running such a large household; despite the agency’s size and prestige, its expenses devoured wealth by the mountain. The amount today might not seem huge, but unlike those grueling, months-long escort jobs, this was pure profit. If they could secure deals like this every day, even old Guan Shan would laugh himself awake in his dreams.

“Bring me my iron whip!” Guan Shan’s face glowed with vigor as he patted Guan Ming on the shoulder. “You’ve done well today.”

Before long, an attendant brought out Guan Shan’s iron whip with both hands. He took it and, instead of clearing the training ground, gave his wrist a sharp flick; the whip cracked thunderously in the air, like a clap of lightning. Without pause, he spun his wrist again—the whip sliced through the air, arcing toward the far corner of the training ground and coiling around a stone lock that weighed over two hundred jin.

Like a dragon in flight, the whip danced, lifting the stone lock high. The crowd held its breath as Guan Shan gave a mighty shout; the iron whip shrieked, and the stone handle, thick as a rice bowl, split clean in two.

“Well done!”

“Master is as vigorous as ever—age has not slowed him!”

“Master is invincible!”

Cheers erupted from all sides, applause thundering. Though it had been years since Guan Shan sparred with anyone, he was still the pillar that allowed the Southern Skies Escort Agency to dominate its four rivals.

“Everyone, gather your weapons and assemble at the gate!”

At the old master’s command, the agency members sprang into action. In no time, they were lined up in ranks outside the main gate, dozens strong, each brandishing swords and sabers, their presence fierce and imposing. Guan Shan, iron whip in hand, emerged from the agency surrounded by his men like stars escorting the moon. Even the neighbors, long accustomed to the comings and goings of the agency, emerged to watch with curiosity.

“Master Guan, heading out today?”

“Quite a show—must be a big job this time.”

“Even you’re going in person—whose business could be so important?”

Guan Shan laughed heartily, making no answer to the neighbors’ questions, only clasping his hands in greeting to all sides.

“Everyone, go mind your own business. We’ll have tea together another day.”

He gave the weapon in his hand a spirited shake.

“Today, I’ll show everyone that this iron whip is not just for show!”