“Hall Master!”
“Officials from the Six Gates of the Prefectural Governnt have co. They say they wish to see you.”
An Inner Disciple on gate duty rushed into the Training Grounds to report, his eyes flickering with uncertainty.
Wangchuan had never had any disputes with the authorities. He was montarily surprised, then ended his cultivation, unwound the cloth strips from his palms, and asked as he walked, “Six Gates from the Prefectural Governnt? It would not happen to be Constable Yu, would it?”
“No.”
Chen Ergou stepped forward to reply.
“I took a discreet look. It is not Constable Yu… Should we call more n to wait at the entrance and in the inner hall?”
From his tone, he seed ready to summon three hundred axen at the signal of a shattered cup.
Wangchuan could not help but laugh.
“It is broad daylight. They have co in person to pay a visit. We have done nothing shaful. There is no need. Go prepare so fresh fruit and pastries, and brew a pot of good tea.”
He was curious as well.
Why would soone from the Prefectural Governnt’s Six Gates co to see him?
Could it be…
Because of the Snake Elder?
With this question in mind, he strode toward the front hall.
A middle-aged constable stood there, sharp-eyed and imposing even in silence.
Two younger n, appearing under thirty, stood to either side in subordinate posture.
Wangchuan stepped forward quickly and cupped his fists.
“Honored guests, forgive
for not welcoming you sooner. I am Wangchuan, Hall Master of the Yulong Gang. May I inquire as to your esteed title?”
The constable on the left announced, “Our lord is He Feiying, Constable Captain He of the Prefectural Governnt’s Six Gates. We serve under Captain He.”
“So it is Lord He and his two companions. Please, take a seat.”
Though young, Wangchuan had learned so Jianghu etiquette.
“Ergou, serve the tea.”
“Yes!”
Chen Ergou promptly brought tea, pastries, and fruit with several Inner Disciples.
Captain He took his seat.
The other two remained standing behind him.
Wangchuan felt awkward sitting, so he probed first.
“May I ask what brings Lord He here today?”
Since entering the hall, Captain He’s gaze had wandered, taking in every detail. He seed to have found several points of interest.
Wangchuan’s hands, Chen Ergou’s deanor, and the steady steps of the Inner Disciples appeared to please him.
At last, he spoke.
“Hall Master Wangchuan is an interesting man.”
“I have long heard that the Five Poison Sect attacked your hall several tis and were repelled each ti, leaving behind heaps of snake corpses. I always thought such tales were exaggerated rumors to elevate one’s reputation. Now I see they are true.”
His tone carried unmistakable praise and appreciation, leaving Wangchuan uneasy.
What did he an?
Captain He gestured around.
“The walls, beams, pillars, and eaves—many have been repaired. Even so, one can sense how perilous the situation must have been. The dock’s ground is riddled with arrow holes. The ferocity of the battle is shocking.”
“You flatter us, my lord. We acted only in self-defense.”
Wangchuan felt a trace of caution.
Captain He’s eyes were keen. The holes left by Armor-Piercing Arrows would not escape his notice.
A faint smile lingered on Captain He’s face.
“Even before docking, I heard the unified shouts of training. Now that I see you in person, still cultivating diligently, it is no wonder your disciples possess such spirit. That you repelled the Five Poison Sect repeatedly and even caused the Snake Elder to fall here—clearly, it was not without reason.”
“…”
Wangchuan grew more unsettled as the praise continued.
“The Five Poison Sect supported Blackwind Stronghold in kidnapping civilians, plundering goods, destroying our ships, killing our brothers, and threatening our hall. The Yulong Gang rely protected itself.”
“There is no need for concern,” Captain He replied with a smile. “We ca only to review so old cases related to the Snake Elder and Lei Zhiyin. By coincidence, we witnessed the vigor of your hall and wished to see it for ourselves. There is no other intention.”
“Of course,” he added, “I was curious to see what kind of hero a First-Rank Martial Artist must be to shoot down the Snake Elder.”
“I dare not accept such praise.”
“Haha… That will suffice.”
“I have seen what I ca to see.”
“We shall not disturb your cultivation any longer. Farewell.”
Captain He rose to leave.
Wangchuan was taken aback.
Was he truly here just to take a look?
“I shall escort you, sir.”
He did not dare detain him.
At the entrance, Captain He stopped.
“That is far enough. With a hero like Hall Master Wangchuan in Huishui County, the Five Poison Sect and Blackwind Stronghold should pose little threat. Constable Yu can rest easy.”
Wangchuan paused, then cupped his fists.
“Many thanks to Constable Yu for his continued concern for the people of Huishui County.”
Captain He’s gaze fell upon Wangchuan’s reddened palms.
“《Iron Sand Palm》 has reached Minor Mastery. There is a scent of ointnt. Judging from your sweat, you have cultivated it for quite so ti. Yet your hands are well maintained. Clever. The Snake Elder’s fall at your hands was not unjust.”
He gave a aningful smile and departed with his n, leaving Wangchuan shaken.
A chill ran down Wangchuan’s spine.
It felt as though he had been seen through entirely.
“What sharp eyes.”
“No wonder he is a captain of the Six Gates.”
“Not all officials are useless,” Chen Ergou muttered once they were gone.
“Do not speak like that again. Be careful that misfortune does not co from your mouth.”
Wangchuan rebuked him.
“Yes, Hall Master!”
Wangchuan returned silently to the Training Grounds.
The encounter made him keenly aware that 《spirit realm》 was filled with hidden experts.
From a brief eting alone, Captain He had discerned nearly everything—what martial arts he practiced and their level.
He would need to be even more cautious in the future.
Killing the Snake Elder did not make him a true figure of consequence.
To genuine masters, crushing a First-Rank Martial Artist was no more difficult than crushing an ant.
He resud cultivation with greater focus.
The Inner Disciples felt the change and trained even harder.
That evening, Wang Yuehui brought news.
Captain He had left Huishui County by land.
However, the two constables who accompanied him remained at the county office, apparently filling the vacancies left by Constable Yu and Constable Wu to reinforce the county’s martial strength.
Wangchuan suddenly understood.
The Prefectural Governnt must have learned of the casualties among Huishui County’s constables and dispatched reinforcents.
Captain He had co to escort the two n to their posts.
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