Ruan Fengshan looked at the silk scroll before him, seeing the words written upon it:

Yuan Shun Escort Agency, to Ruan Shopkeeper: 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Young Master Ruan Jing is in my hands. Brother, I only seek fortune!

A thousand jin of gold!

Tomorrow morning, at the desolate burial mound south of the city, have two intern Escort Masters use an escort vehicle to bring a thousand jin of gold!

Rest assured, Ruan Shopkeeper, once I have the gold, I will release the young master. I won’t harm him!

Brother has already investigated your escort agency; all six escort teams have intern Escort Masters I’ve met! No impostors, and no tailing! Beware! Otherwise, you may endanger the young master!

Once I have the gold, we will release the person immediately!

Ruan Fengshan looked at the words on the silk scroll, his heart racing.

Indeed, Yuan Shun Escort Agency’s sealed warehouse holds a thousand jin of gold, exchanged and stored two months ago!

Only a few know of this matter.

Could someone have leaked it?

Naturally, Chief Accountant Xu Shouxian knows of this. Xu Shouxian’s gaunt and calculating face flickered through Ruan Fengshan’s mind but he immediately dismissed Xu Shouxian. The old fellow wasn’t unfamiliar with large sums, and this wasn’t his first gold exchange, none of which Xu Shouxian was unaware of.

Ruan Fengshan considered the others again, feeling none of them plausible.

"Could it be Zhou An?" Ruan Fengshan’s gaze wavered.

Yet he felt Zhou An lacked such audacity!

Originally of low birth, it was Ruan Fengshan who elevated him to be a personal servant, entrusting him with hospitality and matters of advance and retreat, gaining prestige and skimming a bit in-between. Yet due to his general obedience, Ruan Fengshan overlooked these trifles.

Holding the silk scroll, Ruan Fengshan’s face was uncertain, his sallow complexion casting his eyes in cold, deep light.

Suddenly, Ruan Fengshan raised his head to Sun Huang, saying, "Escort Leader Sun, lead everyone down to rest."

The escort team wished to see what was written on the silk scroll, but as Ruan Fengshan spoke, Sun Huang quickly clasped his fists, leading the team out.

Ma Wentao looked at Ruan Fengshan, tears clouding his eyes, saying, "Shopkeeper, you have to save my little grandson, Jing’Er is only three..."

Ruan Fengshan placed a large hand on Ma Wentao’s back, saying gravely, "Don’t worry, Jing’Er is dear to me as well. I’d dismantle this entire escort agency to save him!"

Seeing Ruan Fengshan’s resolute gaze, Ma Wentao finally felt slightly at ease.

"Leave the gatekeeper duties to others; accompany Chun Ying more. Talk to her, reassure her. And..." Ruan Fengshan’s gaze suddenly tightened, saying, "about the silk scroll, do not tell her! No need to increase her worries!"

Ma Wentao agreed, wiping tears from his eyes as he left the hall.

Only then did Ruan Fengshan’s face turn icy, handing the silk scroll to the nearby Luan Jingfu and Xiao Zongting.

The two took the silk scroll, faces full of anger and outrage.

"Shameless bandits!" Luan Jingfu shouted.

Ruan Fengshan looked at the silent Xiao Zongting, asking, "Elder Xiao, what do you think?"

Xiao Zongting’s gaze shifted, saying, "Guard against day, guard against night, but internal thieves are hard to guard!"

Ruan Fengshan heard and nodded coldly, saying, "Elder Xiao, your thoughts align with mine."

Luan Jingfu turned, casting a meaningful glance at Xiao Zongting.

After a slight pause, Ruan Fengshan looked at Xiao Zongting, saying, "Elder Xiao, take a few people later! Detain Xu Shouxian, Zhou An, Wang De’an, Zhu Shicheng. Separate and guard them! Investigate thoroughly after tomorrow!"

Xiao Zongting’s expression shifted, glancing at Ruan Fengshan’s grim face, responding with clasped fists, "Understood!"

Yet Luan Jingfu’s heart twitched, knowing this task risked offending them!

The four were all tough characters—Xu Shouxian was the Chief Accountant, Zhou An was Ruan Fengshan’s personal servant, and Wang De’an and Zhu Shicheng were Xu Shouxian’s confidants, controlling the agency’s accounts.

As Xiao Zongting detained them, all were turned against. Seeing old rivals embarrassed, Luan Jingfu reveled inwardly, though his face remained impassive.

After instructing Xiao Zongting, Ruan Fengshan turned to Luan Jingfu, saying, "Mr. Luan, prepare! Tomorrow morning, you and I will stealthily follow behind the escort vehicle!"

Xiao Zongting and Luan Jingfu’s hearts jumped. Ruan Fengshan intended to act personally!

Moreover, the silk scroll warned that tracking would harm the young master. Ruan Fengshan risked Ruan Jing’s life gambling!

Ruan Fengshan finished, looking outside the hall, gaze fierce, "I want to see what sort dares target my Yuan Shun Escort Agency!"

"But if it fails, young master will..." Luan Jingfu actually was unwilling to risk himself, uncertain of the opposing strength, wanting not to rashly intervene.

At those words, Ruan Fengshan suddenly turned, cold eyes like vipers fixing on Luan Jingfu. Luan Jingfu was shocked, breaking into cold sweat, stammering, "I spoke too much..."

"-Does Mr. Luan truly believe handing over a thousand jin of gold will make them release Jing’Er? You’re seasoned in Jianghu, don’t be naive!"

Luan Jingfu’s heart stirred, understanding Ruan Fengshan’s meaning, saying, "I let concern muddle my mind, miscalculated!"

Ruan Fengshan seeing Luan Jingfu’s words, finally eased his expression slightly.

"Should we have the three leaders who haven’t left escort also follow?" Xiao Zongting pondered.

"No need!" Ruan Fengshan waved a hand, saying, "More people, more risk of exposure! Mr. Luan and I suffice!"

"Then let the intern Escort Masters from the Second Escort Team, Lu Feng and Duan Rong, deliver the gold," Luan Jingfu immediately interjected.

Ruan Fengshan nodded in agreement. Gold deliverers weren’t significant!

Yet Xiao Zongting’s heart trembled. The two intern Escort Masters delivering gold were clearly cannon fodder, facing grave danger, immediately saying, "Shopkeeper, Duan Rong’s talent is remarkable, wouldn’t it be better..."

"Better what?" Luan Jingfu turned to Xiao Zongting, saying, "Is the young master’s life important, or is your favored disciple’s life important?"

You..." Xiao Zongting wanted to argue but caught Ruan Fengshan’s impatient expression. Ruan Fengshan dared gamble his child’s life, why would he care about an intern Escort Master’s life?

Knowing further words were futile, Xiao Zongting fell silent.

Sun Huang reached the Martial Arts Arena at the courtyard’s center with everyone when they were chased down by a guard from the rear courtyard.

Then Sun Huang with everyone went to find Xiao Zongting and apprehend people, while Duan Rong and Lu Feng were led by a guard into the Juyi Hall in the rear courtyard.

At this time, only Ruan Fengshan and Luan Jingfu were seated within Juyi Hall.

Xiao Zongting had already gone to apprehend with Sun Huang.

Duan Rong and Lu Feng stood nervously in the hall, Lu Feng’s gaze shifted uncertainly between Ruan Fengshan and Luan Jingfu.

Duan Rong was equally puzzled, unaware why he and Lu Feng were summoned, yet seeing Luan Jingfu sitting there, was certain it wasn’t good.