Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey! Chapter 1538 - 350: You Don’t Even Know Grandpa Chen? How Are You a Bodyguard? (Part 2)

In the prefecture, it's typically the managers of the Wolf Smoke Realm who handle affairs, while those in the Rainbow Realm stand as elite heavyweights.

The Xu family, despite generations in trade, counts it a great feat to hire martial experts from the Wolf Smoke Realm.

Hence, Master Li stands as the core strength of this escort group.

Right as the convoy readied itself to set out, a figure dashed in from beyond the city walls, mounted on a rundown horse and clad in rough attire, appearing every bit the Jianghu wanderer.

According to the Factory Director's referral, this newcomer is his far-removed cousin, a Jianghu drifter keen to join Zhen Nan Escort Agency for practical training and to grasp the customs.

The man drew near and inquired, "Is this Zhen Nan Escort Agency?"

Hearing him, an escort answered, "Yes."

Chen Jie added, "Recommended by Factory Director Zhao."

On hearing that, the escort remarked, "You must be Factory Director Zhao’s cousin; we've waited half a day for you—hurry and see the vice leader and escort leader."

Chen Jie found this odd; why mention vice leader first? Does she rank above the escort leader?

Chen Jie appeared baffled but replied, "Alright."

Before long, Chen Jie was led to the two escort heads; he dismounted right then, bamboo hat perched on his head.

Vice Leader Old Ma scowled and snapped, "We've waited half a day for you; escort masters can't be late—didn't you realize?"

"And who allowed that hat? Take it off."

Old Ma's expression was fierce, clearly aiming to overawe Chen Jie.

Seeking to remain discreet and dodge any hassle, Chen Jie went along and removed his hat, exposing his lightly altered face—hardly modified, just shaded a touch darker.

Given Chen Jie's habit of staying low-key, most ordinary people and minor Jianghu sorts in Huangzhou Prefecture had never laid eyes on him; he believed no one would identify him.

Yet the instant Chen Jie doffed his hat, the escort leader—who had shown little interest before—stared in wide-eyed astonishment.

He even winked subtly, then glanced back at Chen Jie, brimming with amazement.

Chen Jie had figured nobody would spot him. To his surprise, this escort leader apparently did, so he shot the man a meaningful glance.

The escort leader wasn't foolish; he grasped it at once. For Huangzhou Prefecture's real powerholder to disguise himself and slip into this minor outfit, it was plain he wanted his true self hidden.

Thus, he stayed quiet.

But Vice Leader Old Ma remained ignorant of Chen Jie's status; he simply told Chen Jie, "Since you're tagging along with the escort team, learn the rules. Feeding the horses falls to you—stay vigilant, pour tea, bring water, and if you spot an escort master weary, massage their legs..."

Watching Vice Leader Old Ma drone on, clearly set on hazing the newbie by targeting Chen Jie.

The escort leader grew uneasy and cut in right away, "Enough, enough; I'll place him, Old Ma—you stick to the escort duties."

With those words, he yanked Vice Leader Ma aside and murmured, "Old Ma, he's Factory Director Zhao’s cousin; you trying to slight the Factory Director?"

"He arrived late; he deserves a bit of correction."

The escort leader pressed, "Fine, fine, forget about him—just have him stick with me."

Vice Leader Ma shot the escort leader a look and said, "Very well, let's commence the escort."

As he spoke, he gestured ahead, and the runners promptly rang the copper gong.

Dang!

The clang echoed, and the front runner yelled, "Start the escort~"

Then the escort masters shouted in harmony, "Together!"

The full team lurched into motion; Chen Jie viewed an escort squad's send-off for the first time and deemed it intriguing. At that point, the escort leader sidled up, quietly waved off the nearby escorts, and chanted, "Together the escort departs; in half a year, safe return through Jianghu."

Chen Jie turned at the sound, and the escort leader swiftly offered a hidden gesture of respect to Chen Jie, declaring, "Sun Cong greets Guild Leader Chen."

Chen Jie eyed him and asked, "You recognize me?"

The escort leader answered promptly, "I am Sun Bu’er’s disciple and was fortunate to glimpse Guild Leader Chen’s true appearance."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jie remarked, "Oh, Sun Bu’er’s disciple."

Chen Jie knew Sun Bu’er well: a major player in Mianshui County, Zhou Chu’s father-in-law, who held substantial standing and esteem back in Mianshui.

"Oh, to find you're Sun the Hero’s disciple—running into an old connection by chance."

Sun Cong said, "I never thought I'd cross paths with Guild Leader Chen; my luck truly gleams. Guild Leader Chen, what's your aim here?"

Chen Jie replied, "I'm joining you to Tianshui; as for the rest, don't inquire."

Sun Cong agreed, "Yes, yes, I see—the more details, the greater the risk."

Chen Jie grinned and commented, "A Sun lineage disciple, sharp on the uptake as expected."

Sun Cong smiled and responded, "Yes, yes, many thanks for the kind words, Guild Leader Chen."

Chen Jie instructed, "Good; continue your work and ensure nothing suspicious shows on the journey."

Sun Cong assured, "Have no fears, Guild Leader; I can manage it."

With that, the convoy advanced, bound for Tianshui via the Shanxi Road straight ahead.

During the travels, Chen Jie remained relaxed, noting the many struggles of the everyday people they encountered.

After a full day on the move, the convoy paused to rest; wagons formed a protective ring around the central escort team, with fires kindled along the perimeter as cooking began.

Chen Jie sat warming by a blaze when a woman approached and haughtily demanded, "Today dragged because of waiting on you—the convoy left half an hour late, didn't it?"

Hearing her, Chen Jie stood at once and said, "My apologies; it was my error today—I beg the employer's forgiveness."