50: Chapter 50 The Escort Agency Faces a Turn of Events

Hearing Yun Song finally agree to help, the gloom in Ye Hua's heart dispersed.

He nodded repeatedly and heavily, his movements extremely urgent, fearing that if he hesitated even for a moment, Yun Song might change his mind.

"Brother Yun, rest assured! I, Ye Hua, always keep my word in this life, and I certainly won't let you face danger for nothing!"

"If we truly encounter an inescapable dead end on this journey, you should just focus on escaping to save yourself. The Immortal secret arts treasured by my Ye family will still be offered to you with both hands; I will never break my promise!"

As his voice fell, he subconsciously turned his head to exchange a glance with Ye Rong.

A glimmer of relief simultaneously flashed in the eyes of the siblings.

"The two of you, wait a moment. I will go retrieve my parcel."

Before his voice had even faded, Yun Song had already stepped onto the snow and walked away quickly, his movements crisp and decisive.

The biting cold wind, carrying a sky full of snow, raged across the wilderness, making the path rugged and difficult to traverse.

After two days and two nights of trekking through the wind and snow, and enduring the hardships of the journey, the three finally saw the towering walls of Nanyue City from afar and successfully arrived at the city gates.

Ye Hua raised his hand to take out some small silver pieces from his bosom, paid the full city entry tax, and led the two of them into the city gate.

What met their eyes was a scene of desolation. On the streets, a few cleaners were burying their heads in the work of clearing the thick snow. The straight, wide bluestone street was completely covered in white snow, with only the faint outlines of the orderly stone patterns underneath visible.

The streets, which used to be crowded with merchants and bustling with noise, were exceptionally desolate at this moment.

There were very few vendors along the street, and hardly a stall in sight. The occasional passerby walked with hurried steps and tense expressions, their brows and eyes hiding an indescribable fear.

A heavy sense of doubt quietly rose in Ye Hua's heart.

In the past, Nanyue City was heavily guarded with constant patrols, and the figures of city guards could be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys.

But today, the entire city was eerily silent. Not a single soldier could be seen in the streets or alleys. The whole world was shrouded in an oppressive, deathly atmosphere, with inexplicable danger lurking everywhere.

The three passed through several cold and empty streets, and the familiar Nanyue Escort Agency finally came into view.

The simple courtyard with blue bricks and black tiles appeared even more desolate and dilapidated against the backdrop of the white snow.

The plaque above the door with the words "Nanyue Escort Agency" in gold on a red background, which had weathered many storms and was once dignified and renowned, was now covered in a thin layer of snow. It had faded from its former glory, leaving only endless loneliness and desolation.

On the doorposts on either side, the gold-inlaid couplet reading "Great wisdom and courage shake Nanyue; integrity and righteousness make a promise worth ten thousand catties" still bore vigorous calligraphy. Yet, the mottled paint and the silent front door could not hide the deathly stillness of the Escort Agency at this moment.

The main gate, which should have been open to welcome guests with carriages and horses coming and going, was now tightly shut. The copper rings swayed gently in the wind and snow, emitting a faint, ethereal sound.

Seeing this scene, the hearts of the Ye siblings sank, and they were burning with anxiety, subconsciously wanting to rush forward to check the situation.

Just at this moment, Yun Song's figure flickered as he stepped in front of them.

"Don't be hasty," he cautioned in a low voice. "The Ye family's current situation is dangerously unclear, and the Escort Agency is abnormally silent. Rushing out rashly will only be walking into a trap."

Ye Hua suddenly woke up, feeling a wave of lingering fear. He said in a deep voice, "Many thanks for the timely reminder, Brother Yun. It was my sister and I who were too anxious and lost our composure, and we almost dragged you into danger instead..."

Yun Song waved his hand slightly and smiled indifferently. "It is merely knocking on the door to test the reality of the situation; it is no matter. The two of you wait here, I will go."

After speaking, he casually adjusted his clothes, strode forward alone, reached out to grasp the copper ring of the main gate, and began to knock without haste.

"Bang, bang, bang! Bang, bang, bang!"

The crisp sound of knocking penetrated the wind and snow, echoing clearly in the dead silent and empty street.

From inside the door came an impatient shout: "Who is it?"

Yun Song deliberately raised his voice, his tone carrying the perfect amount of urgency typical of an ordinary escort, "Sorry to bother you, please open the door. I would like to hire your Escort Agency for a short-distance escort mission."

"We're not taking it! Go away, go away!"

From inside came a rough and irritable voice driving him away, the attitude extremely overbearing.

Yun Song frowned slightly and feigned sincerity, continuing to persuade, "The reward is generous, and the journey is very short. Please be accommodating and do me a favor..."

"Can you not understand human speech?!" A sharp shout suddenly exploded from inside, full of malevolence. "If you dare to pester or linger again, don't blame us for being impolite!"

Alarm bells rang in Yun Song's heart; he was certain that the Escort Agency had undergone changes and was hiding villains.

He immediately composed his expression, feigned a dejected retreat, and muttered loudly, "If you won't take it, then don't. Why be so fierce... In such a large Nanyue City, you aren't the only Escort Agency."

He had only taken two steps when two lowered voices sounded from inside the door, reaching his ears.

"Who was that making all that noise just now?"

"Someone who came to hire an escort; I've already driven him away."

"Well done! Keep a close watch on the gate; don't leave even half a step! The Ye siblings have surely perished at the hands of those Badao bandits."

"The belongings of this Nanyue Escort Agency are already ours for the taking! That old thing inside is seriously injured and at death's door; he won't last much longer! Once we completely take down the Ye family and plunder the Escort Agency's savings, we'll just pack up the goods and leave!"

The person speaking had a sinister tone, every word piercing the heart.