Chapter Thirty-One: The Best of Both Worlds

The three of them spent the entire afternoon in the mountain forest, mainly with Xu Yuan observing Ji Yun and Ji Wu as they tried to work in harmony with the black bear. Perhaps because of his age and inner worries, Ji Yun found it somewhat difficult to let go when directing the black bear. In contrast, Ji Wu, young and fearless, played exuberantly with the bear, their laughter and roars echoing through the forest.

At first, Ji Wu simply gave commands, but soon that wasn't enough for him. He climbed onto the bear's back, grasped a straight branch like a staff, and rode the black bear through the woods with reckless abandon, leaving Ji Yun wide-eyed in astonishment. Though the act was a little audacious, it also showed that this black bear was no mindless beast; it could quickly understand Ji Wu's intentions and respond accordingly.

Joyful times are always fleeting. While man and bear raced and frolicked in the wilds, dusk gradually fell. On their return, Ji Wu sat astride one of the bear’s massive shoulders, arms wrapped around its head, while the black bear walked upright like a man, carrying between its paws a magnificent tiger whose skull was now deeply caved in.

“Father, this black bear is incredible!” Ji Wu exclaimed excitedly before they reached the cave. “We ran into a tiger in the woods—one swipe from the bear, and the tiger was done for!”

“It’s only fitting that a bear chosen by Master Xu would be powerful,” Ji Yun nodded, his expression a little stiff as he gazed at the massive creature, strong enough to tear tigers and leopards apart.

“By the way, where is Master Xu?” Ji Wu looked around. There was no one but his father outside the cave.

“Master Xu has left,” said Ji Yun.

“Already?” Ji Wu was taken aback. “Why didn’t we invite him home for dinner?”

The bear chimed in with two low growls, its eyes, the size of copper bells, scanning the area as its nose twitched.

“If Master Xu wishes to leave, how could I stop him?” Ji Yun said helplessly. He would have liked for Xu Yuan to stay a few days, but it was out of his hands.

Ji Wu’s excitement dimmed at once. “If he’s gone, will it be another year before we see him again?” he muttered.

“That’s hard to say. Your mother and I see him at most once a year—sometimes not for several years.”

“Father, where does Master Xu live, and what does he do? I never thought to ask. We see him less than a day each year; how will I ever become his disciple?” Curiosity and frustration mingled in Ji Wu’s heart.

“Master Xu is a man of such skill—he comes and goes like the wind. Who could possibly know?” Ji Yun shook his head. Someone like Xu Yuan owed them no explanations.

“So, what do we do now?”

“Let’s go home. It’s dark. We’ll take the quiet back roads and try not to alarm anyone,” Ji Yun said, glancing at the bear. It reassured him that the creature hadn’t turned violent with Xu Yuan’s departure.

The bear’s strength was already beyond what the Ji Escort Agency could handle. If it went berserk, it would be more than a match for ten, even a hundred men. Xu Yuan surely understood this, which is why he entrusted the bear to them.

The risk came with great benefit. With the bear’s addition, the agency’s power soared, and the safety of their convoys was greatly improved. Even if the bear did nothing at all, simply standing there, its presence was overwhelming—adults looked like children beside it.

They returned to the agency under cover of darkness. The streets were nearly deserted, and the bear, pitch-black itself, was almost invisible in the night, disturbing no passersby. Yet, upon arriving at the agency, its presence caused quite an uproar. Fortunately, the bear’s mood remained calm, and Ji Yun only had to soothe the nerves of his people.

Once things settled, Ji Yun’s first act was to send someone to buy a large jar of honey as a welcome gift for the bear, which Ji Wu then brought to it.

“Master Xu is truly unconventional. Ordinary folk would shudder at the sight of such a behemoth, wishing only to run as far as possible, yet Master Xu could tame it—and even recommend it to us…” Cai Shulan remarked with genuine admiration as she prepared a room for the bear and watched Ji Wu offer it honey.

“Let Ji Wu spend time with the bear these days, let it get used to people. That way, it won’t cause trouble when it meets others,” Ji Yun said, already making plans. “The government’s invitation—I intend to accept. With the black bear on our side, the Ji Escort Agency is no ordinary firm. Having dealings with the authorities will be good for business.”

“I heard they only want three people? And only capable ones,” Cai Shulan noted, her brow furrowed. That was the reason Ji Yun hadn’t agreed before. Times were chaotic; powerful troublemakers defied even the court. The authorities were stretched thin and turned to the civilian experts.

The Ji Escort Agency had been invited to protect government convoys. They wouldn’t be the main force; only three spots were offered, and only for the best. Ji Yun had heard the Guo Family Martial Hall had three places as well. Clearly, the authorities were gathering all the experts they could to see what effect it would have. If successful, perhaps these martial experts could be used to counter those fearsome outsiders infiltrating the kingdom, easing the court’s burden.

Ji Yun had hesitated before. The Ji Escort Agency had some reputation but was not truly outstanding. Even if they joined the authorities, they would be mere labor, with little credit and all the hardship.

But now, Ji Yun had changed his mind. If the bear stayed with the agency, any misstep or accident would be their burden alone. Better to take it with the government team: there would be more people, more experts, and if the bear caused trouble, the risk could be absorbed elsewhere.

Cai Shulan immediately understood. “That’s wise. Who will be the third person?”

Ji Yun would go, and the bear would count as one. That left one spot.

“Ji Wu.”

“Him? He’s still a child…”

“Fifteen is not so young. The agency will be his one day—let him see the world and meet people. It will do him good.”