Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Shen Longteng explained briefly, and Xie Yuan immediately understood what he meant.

To put it simply, the plan was to lure the snake out of its hole—or in other words, bait the enemy into a trap.

The Vajra Sect was looking for a chance to cause trouble? Perfect. They would use Xie Yuan, a tempting piece of bait, to draw them in. For the Vajra Sect, it was an opportunity that had fallen right into their laps. How could they possibly resist?

Then, Xie Yuan would reveal his true strength, and with an ally hidden within the Escort Team, they would give the Vajra Sect a massive surprise.

Shen Longteng had a flash of inspiration when he saw Xie Yuan’s quiet breakthrough, which was how he came up with this plan.

However, it was merely a suggestion. He calmly asked for Xie Yuan’s opinion, with no intention of forcing him.

Xie Yuan considered it for a moment before saying,

"It’s feasible, but there’s one issue: if Xu Jie or Yu Chunsheng makes a move personally, I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold them off."

That old bastard Yu Chunsheng had always been intensely interested in him. During such a critical period, if he really threw caution to the wind and attacked, Xie Yuan would not only fail but also suffer a great loss.

Shen Longteng shook his head.

"In a conflict between two factions, the most important thing is to keep a close watch on the enemy’s experts. Yu Chunsheng is no exception. His official status helps him immensely, but it also restricts him, making his daily movements easy to track. Xu Jie spends every day at his sect teaching his disciples, so his whereabouts are also known.

"The movements of those two Fourth Training masters are clear. At most, they’ll dispatch a few Third Training instructors. However, Old Wei, Old Chu, and I are likely being watched as well. If we suddenly disappear, they’re bound to grow suspicious. If we’re to use this plan to lure the snake out, Zhenyu is probably the only one who can help you."

Xie Yuan nodded slightly.

"That works. If it’s just Third Training masters, I think I can handle it."

The escort masters exchanged glances, all of them sensing the confidence radiating from Xie Yuan.

It was the fearlessness of youth. Some were impressed; others were skeptical.

Shen Longteng smiled.

"In that case, I’ll have Zhenyu help you—"

"Zhenyu doesn’t need to go either. Who’s to say the Vajra Sect isn’t watching him? I say let all the escort masters head out on their own assignments. Make a big show of it, so everyone can see where they are. That way, our enemies will have no doubts."

Shen Longteng’s brow furrowed.

"Xie Yuan, this is no child’s play. You’re offering yourself up as bait. If you encounter Third Training masters, can you really handle them? You’ve only just broken through."

"If it weren’t this risky, how could we call it luring the snake from its hole?"

Xie Yuan said in a low, serious voice,

"Agency Head, leave it to me. I would never joke with my own life or the lives of the Escort Team. The score with the Vajra Sect... let it begin with me."

The Vajra Sect had been eyeing him like a predator, and the Escort Team had already made sacrifices. Old grudges and new—it was time to settle the score, starting now.

Shen Longteng watched him quietly for a moment, then clapped his hands and said decisively,

"Alright! If you’re this confident, then we’ll do it your way."

The five escort masters accepted their orders and went their separate ways to prepare.

Xie Yuan sent someone to summon all the members of Xu Mo’s Escort Team. While many weren’t at the Escort Agency headquarters, they were clearly at home, waiting for something. It didn’t take long for all of them to assemble.

In the training yard, Xie Yuan looked at the several dozen men, his gaze sweeping over each of their faces before he spoke slowly.

"As you all know, I am Xie Yuan, your new escort master. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask."

The dozens of men exchanged uncertain glances, and for a moment, no one spoke.

A burly, bearded man at the front of the group stared at Xie Yuan and said coldly,

"So, you’re here to replace Master Xu?"

"I wouldn’t say replace."

Xie Yuan looked the burly man over and shook his head.

"The Agency Head was clear. There’s no ’acting’ in my title. I am your official escort master."

A vein pulsed on the large man’s forehead. He clenched his fists.

"What did Master Xu do wrong to deserve this?"

Xie Yuan chose his words carefully, speaking slowly.

"All I know is that Master Xu passed away from a sudden illness. The Escort Agency is in a tumultuous period, and business can’t stop, so I’ve been appointed to lead the Escort Team."

"How can you compare to Master Xu? You weren’t even born when he joined the Escort Agency! When I first started risking my life for the agency, you were just a kid playing in the mud! You’ve been here for such a short time, and you’re not even at the Third Training level. On what grounds do you get to be an escort master?"

The big man made no effort to hide his defiance and hostility. This reaction was entirely within his expectations.

Xie Yuan looked at him and said calmly,

"On the grounds that in my short time here, I’ve already earned one first-class commendation and several second-class ones. In our last battle, I faced a Third Training master head-on and killed him. If you’re not convinced, we can settle this with a fight."

Even though the big man was filled with hostility, he had the good sense to shut his mouth after hearing that litany of achievements. He just snorted coldly and didn’t press the issue.

Seeing the man’s bravado deflate, Xie Yuan’s gaze swept over the rest of the crowd as he declared in a heavy voice,

"If anyone else questions my qualifications, step forward now. Defeat me, and you can be the escort master. If you can’t, then keep your mouth shut."

A long moment passed in silence. While most of them didn’t know Xie Yuan personally, they had all heard of his reputation and his battle record. No one was foolish enough to be the one to stick their neck out.

Seeing this, Xie Yuan gave a slight nod.

"Very good. Since you all acknowledge me as your escort master, that settles it. From this moment on, this Escort Team is under my command. I have only one rule: obey my orders. Anyone caught feigning compliance will be kicked out of the team on the spot."

The men’s brows furrowed at his harsh, uncompromising tone, and a murmur of unease rippled through the group.

Xie Yuan said calmly,

"If any of you have a problem with this, you have two choices. First, you can go complain to the Agency Head. However, since he’s the one who just promoted me, he’s unlikely to listen.

"Second, you can try to beat me and let your fists do the talking. But I’d recommend you choose the first option. Your chances of success are much higher."

Everyone got the sense that this new escort master was not someone to be trifled with, and they kept their mouths firmly shut.

Xie Yuan looked over the men and nodded to himself. ’The time is right,’ he thought, before continuing:

"Master Xu made great contributions to the Escort Agency; the Agency Head himself has affirmed this. All of you are still here, and you are all important members of this agency. Rest easy. I will need you all to put forth your best effort in the coming days.

"We have an assignment coming up in the next few days. If you’re unwilling to go, I won’t force you. You can withdraw now. But if you accept, you must give it your absolute all.

"This next escort is critically important. I can promise all of you, if we return safely and everyone gives their best, I will apply for at least a ten-percent bonus to your commendations and your pay. Depending on your contributions, that bonus could go as high as fifty percent. And that’s on top of your regular earnings."

Hearing this, the men’s eyes went wide. The Escort Agency’s rewards were already generous; with an additional bonus, the take would be incredible.

’Maybe this Xie Yuan isn’t so bad after all.’

Xie Yuan scanned their faces, noticing the subtle shift in their expressions, and breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

’No wonder leaders are so fond of dangling carrots. It really works.’

So, naturally, he’d started dangling one of his own.

’A mix of coercion and reward—the stick and the carrot—backed by the twin guarantees of borrowed authority and personal strength. Management wasn’t so hard after all.’

The members of the Escort Team began to settle down. Even the burly, bearded man now looked at Xie Yuan with a skeptical but hopeful expression.

Seeing that some of their spirits had been restored, Xie Yuan assigned them to their duties and began planning the assignment, preparing for their departure.

「Three days later.」

Four escort masters from the Longteng Escort Agency set out, leading their teams in four different directions. Xie Yuan was one of them.

The four major escort missions departed with great fanfare, temporarily silencing the voices that had been questioning the agency’s stability.

「Within the Vajra Sect.」

Xu Jie listened to his disciple’s report. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly burst out laughing.

"That old scoundrel Shen Longteng... it seems the backlog of assignments has finally pushed him to his wit’s end, forcing him into a foolish move. He’s put all his key players out in the open, and left one team led by a mere Second Training grunt. It’s like a child carrying a bag of gold through a bustling city square."

He glanced at Yu Chunsheng beside him and chuckled.

"What do you think, Junior Brother?"

A glint appeared in Yu Chunsheng’s eyes.

"I don’t care what tricks he has up his sleeve. If we don’t strike now, when will we? Send Xiang Zhuo with some men. I have an inside man in that area as well; we won’t fail to capture him!

"This time, I’ll make him regret ever crossing me!"