Ma Yue stared doubtfully at the contents of the Beast Hide Paper. It was all about the things he had agreed to do.

Cheng Zongyang’s promises—not just making him a Martial Artist, but also ensuring his family would live a good life—were also written out, one by one.

Although Ma Yue didn’t understand why Cheng Zongyang would bother with what felt like a ridiculous agreement, he ultimately signed his name and pressed his thumbprint to it.

It was simple. If Cheng Zongyang believed this kind of agreement could restrain the other party and provide a sense of security, then he would satisfy him.

He also needed a stable living environment to give his family a better life. And he himself wanted to become a Martial Artist.

Therefore, all he had to do was complete his tasks with single-minded dedication.

Seeing Ma Yue sign his name so readily and willingly made Cheng Zongyang think more highly of him. He seemed like a decent person. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

At least when he agreed to something, he did so sincerely, without any ulterior motives.

’Perhaps I can take him under my wing and train him in the future.’

After the agreement was signed, Cheng Zongyang said to Ma Yue:

"You’ll set out tomorrow. You don’t need to take these things back with you; I’ll have them prepared. When the time comes, go to the warehouse in South City to pick them up. Someone will make the arrangements for you. Your family will also be taken care of. Don’t worry."

"Yes, thank you, my Lord. But where in South City is this warehouse?" Ma Yue asked, cupping his hands.

"No. 73, South Pond Nineteen Lane."

Only after Ma Yue left did Cheng Zongyang allow Xu Dong to enter.

However, Xu Dong’s face was a little pale as he entered.

Just now, while in the courtyard outside, he had suddenly been hit by a dizzy spell and a wave of nausea. He thought something was wrong with him, but the feeling came and went quickly.

He had only entered, full of lingering unease, after Ma Yue had left.

Cheng Zongyang noticed that Xu Dong’s complexion was different from before he had left, and he guessed it was due to the Geomagnetic Stone.

But he didn’t explain, simply saying:

"You used to be with an Escort Agency. Seeing as you’re not young, what is the reason you have yet to reach Entry Grade?"

Xu Dong said with a somewhat embarrassed expression:

"It’s my aptitude, and also a matter of money. I started my Martial Arts Training late. While escort jobs can earn a lot of silver coins, I was just an ordinary Escort traveling with the carts. A single trip would only net me a little over ten taels of silver."

"Only Martial Artists get a larger share. After paying for my family’s living expenses, I invested the rest of the silver coins I earned into my training, but with very little effect. Now, I’m still just at the half-step to Entry Grade."

Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. This was quite similar to Li Lu’s situation back then.

He smiled and said, "Do you know about Lord Li’s past?"

’Lord Li? Li Lu?’

Xu Dong was puzzled, not understanding what Cheng Zongyang meant. He shook his head slightly. "I do not know."

Cheng Zongyang didn’t hide anything. "He was once a government official in the County Town. Like you, he was just an ordinary person stuck at the half-step to Entry Grade, unable to break through the Qi and Blood Barrier and make any progress. But now, he is an Eighth Grade Martial Artist. And it took him less than a year. Strictly speaking, it only took him six or seven months to reach Eighth Grade."

At this, Xu Dong’s eyes flew wide open, and he stared at Cheng Zongyang in utter disbelief.

"My Lord, that... that’s impossible, isn’t it? Two Tiers in just over half a year?"

He could believe someone reaching Entry Grade in half a year, but to not only reach Entry Grade but also advance to Eighth Grade in just over half a year... was that even possible?

Cheng Zongyang asked with a smile, "Do you want to become like him?"

He knew very well what a temptation those words were to anyone who wanted to become a Martial Artist.

THUD!

Suddenly, Xu Dong dropped to his knees before Cheng Zongyang, exclaiming excitedly:

"I am willing! I am willing! My Lord, tell me what you need me to do. I will do everything in my power!"

Cheng Zongyang was taken aback for a moment.

’Damn, your reaction speed is impeccable! But aren’t you a little too excited?’

"Get up," Cheng Zongyang said, his face expressionless.

Xu Dong secretly glanced at Cheng Zongyang, and his heart skipped a beat. He thought he might have overdone it. He quickly stood up and said nervously:

"My Lord, I was a bit too eager, and so..."

"Enough." Cheng Zongyang sat back down and looked at Xu Dong. "If you can handle this matter for me, I can help you reach Entry Grade."

Without giving Xu Dong a chance to ramble, he continued:

"Go north and scout the situation on the war front. I will give you a bird for communication so you can report back at any time. Once you have gathered the information I need, you can return."

"Of course, I won’t send you empty-handed."

"You know how to ride a horse, so a horse will be provided for you. At the same time, you will have..."

Cheng Zongyang took out the same items he had shown Ma Yue and demonstrated them again.

After feeling the effects of the Geomagnetic Stone, Xu Dong suddenly understood the cause of his reaction outside.

The sensation had been terrifying. But if he had such an item for protection, he would feel much more at ease when carrying out his duties away from home.

Additionally, Cheng Zongyang gave him one hundred taels of silver for expenses—no more, no less. While money could be useful for gathering information, it wasn’t the solution to everything.

Finally, he also had him sign a liability agreement. With outsiders, Cheng Zongyang never believed in testing a person’s character.

Xu Dong decisively signed and pressed his thumbprint as well.

Everything went very smoothly. This made Cheng Zongyang feel that this man could also be brought under his command.

The so-called Escort Agencies were essentially the postal services and logistics companies of his previous life.

Xu Dong had experience. It would be a good idea to train him and then put him in charge of an Escort Agency.

Having settled these two matters, Cheng Zongyang could finally rest easy.

Having someone at the front lines who could send back information at any time was of crucial importance to him.

If it weren’t for the limited number of Elf Birds, he would have wanted to place a spy in every County Town. But in the future, once the number of Elf Birds increased, using them to build an intelligence network was inevitable.

The Elf Birds were extremely fast; ordinary people and other birds had no hope of catching them.