“Ergou, Captain Zhao—you two go to the docks. Bring our brothers in and secure the periter of the courtyard.”
“Yes!”
At Wangchuan’s order, Chen Ergou and Zhao Heiniu moved at once.
The way Yang Feiyue looked at Wangchuan grew gentler and more satisfied, his gaze filled with admiration.
“Wangchuan, you are starting to carry more and more of the presence I had back then. At this rate, it will not be long before my Yulong Gang becos too small a pond to hold you.”
“Gang Leader, why do you say that?”
Wangchuan was montarily stunned.
Yang Feiyue smiled faintly.
“You are young. You are talented and quick-witted. You work hard, and when it matters most, you dare to step forward. You are the finest young man I have ever seen. If you stay in the Yulong Gang, it will only hold back your future. There is little point in it.”
“…”
“When the chance cos, I will introduce you to the higher-ups of the Caobang. If you can secure a helm leader position in the Caobang, you will have far more prestige than a hall master of the Yulong Gang—or even the gang leader. Every major gang will give you face.”
Wangchuan’s eyes lit up.
He had not expected the opportunity to arrive so quickly.
He clasped his fists and bowed in thanks. “Thank you, Gang Leader. If this can be accomplished, I, Wangchuan, will never forget your kindness for as long as I live.”
“It is nothing.”
“Ha ha ha ha…”
Yang Feiyue said happily, “Once you catch the eyes of the Caobang’s upper ranks, you will be able to lend support to
as well. Do not worry… I will handle this matter!”
In the Caobang, factions stood like mountain peaks. Many of the higher-ups constantly recruited troops and drew in talent to expand their influence and strengthen their voice. A young sprout like Wangchuan was precisely what every side needed.
Yang Feiyue had actually thought it through long ago. With Wangchuan’s aptitude, if he stayed in the Yulong Gang, he might one day amass rit so great it would overshadow the gang leader. It was better to send him out, earn a favor along the way, and also stabilize Yang Feiyue’s own standing and prestige within the gang.
“Thank you, Gang Leader!”
Wangchuan continued to express his gratitude, his tone sincere.
Yang Feiyue’s smile did not fade as he reminded him, “Of course. If you can break through to Second Rank and join the Caobang as a Second-Rank martial artist, that would be best of all.
If you go as a First-Rank martial artist, you will only be a minor head, mixing it up on the streets. But once you break through to Second Rank, there will be far fewer competitors, and you can be appointed directly to a proper post.”
“Gang Leader, rest assured. This subordinate will do everything possible to charge toward Second Rank and will not embarrass you.”
Wangchuan’s answer was firm and ringing with confidence.
Yang Feiyue’s smile deepened.
“Good!”
“That is ambition!”
“Cough…”
The movent tugged at his wound and brought on a fit of coughing.
Only then did Physician Liao find an opening to speak. “Gang Leader, your lungs and organs have been slightly shaken. You must keep your mind calm and your qi steady. You cannot get excited…”
“Fine, fine, fine. I will listen to you, Old Liao.”
Yang Feiyue nodded at him.
Then he turned to Wangchuan and said, “Wangchuan, do not just stand here like a post. I know you are a martial arts fanatic—sitting idle is unbearable for you. Co, let us go to the training grounds. I will see whether you have been lax in your cultivation lately, and I will also find sothing to do.”
“Yes.”
Wangchuan clasped his fists in acknowledgnt and went with Yang Feiyue to the training grounds.
Chen Ergou and Zhao Heiniu brought twenty inner disciples and stationed them around the grounds to stand guard.
Yang Feiyue took his seat in the hall and said, “What martial arts have you learned recently? Show . Let this gang leader give you a few pointers.”
He was a Second-Rank martial artist now, and he naturally had the right to say such a thing.
Wangchuan nodded. “Gang Leader, as you know, this subordinate’s archery is passable. Recently, it has improved again. I will perform it for you here.”
“Mhm.”
Yang Feiyue lifted his tea and waited quietly.
Wangchuan took a quiver of arrows from the weapon rack and removed the iron-frad bow from his back.
Four arrows were set to the string at the sa ti. He drew and released—his movents practiced and seamless, completed in one breath.
Thuk! Thuk! Thuk! Thuk!
The tea Yang Feiyue had been bringing to his lips froze in midair as he stared in shock. Four arrows had been fired together, all nailed into the sa wooden stake across from him.
“This…”
It was Yang Feiyue’s first ti witnessing 《Five-Finger Rapid Shot》. Before he could even offer an opinion, he saw Wangchuan snatch another four arrows, swiftly aim in another direction, and loose the bow again.
The four arrows flew toward four separate wooden stakes.
Thuk! Thuk! Thuk! Thuk!
All four struck true.
Yang Feiyue slowly set down the teacup in his hand, staring at the scene as if he could not believe it. For a long ti, he could not say a word.
Wangchuan put away his bow and arrows and clasped his fists with both hands.
“Just a minor trick, unworthy of refined company. I have made the Gang Leader laugh.”
“…”
Yang Feiyue had already risen to his feet without realizing it. Hearing this, he ca back to himself, set the teacup down, and applauded hard.
“Good!”
“Excellent archery!”
“I never imagined that after only a little more than a month, Wangchuan, your archery would beco so uncanny! Even ordinary Second-Rank martial artists are likely no longer your match!”
Yang Feiyue understood clearly. If those four arrows had been armor-piercing arrows, what ordinary martial artist could withstand them?
Wangchuan’s archery had stunned him on the spot.
With Wangchuan’s current skill, he could already suppress ordinary Second-Rank martial artists head-on. Once he broke through to Second Rank, he would surely stand out in the Caobang as well.
A rich smile spread across Yang Feiyue’s face, and he praised him without stint.
“Wangchuan.”
“Your archery is already unrivaled in Huishui County. Even in Sanhe Commandery, you would rank among the top ten. With this archery alone, the Caobang’s big shots will be eager to recruit you.”
“This subordinate still wishes to break through to Second Rank first. After I reach Second Rank, I will ask the Gang Leader for a recomndation and go to the Caobang to contend for a suitable position. In the future… perhaps I can also help our Yulong Gang and provide the gang with certain conveniences.”
Wangchuan spoke smoothly and with tact.
Yang Feiyue’s eyes brightened.
“Good!”
“I knew I had not misjudged you.”
“With those words, this gang leader can finally be completely at ease.”
“…”
Yang Feiyue looked Wangchuan up and down, his face full of satisfaction and excitent. “I have a good relationship with Hall Master Yin of the Caobang in Sanhe Commandery, and I can speak to him. But Hall Master Yin also has many capable people under him, and there are no vacant posts for the mont… You focus on cultivation first. I will find an opportunity to speak with Hall Master Yin properly and see whether I can secure a rich post for you.”
“This subordinate troubles the Gang Leader to spend such effort.”
Wangchuan thanked him.
Yang Feiyue laughed loudly, patted his shoulder, and said, “Ha ha ha ha… It is only right! In the future, I may even have to rely on Wangchuan for your care and support.”
At this mont, Yang Feiyue truly relaxed the posture of a gang leader sowhat, adopting the air of speaking to Wangchuan as an equal.
Wangchuan’s heart stirred. Seizing the montum, he asked, “Gang Leader!”
“When we took down the Qingyi Sect, did we obtain any other cultivation thods? This subordinate has cultivated every gang thod once already, and it seems I have run into a bottleneck.”
“The Qingyi Sect…”
“There were, actually.”
“Besides the First-Rank and Second-Rank thods they handed over to us at the start, this gang leader also found, in their armory, a First-Rank martial art from the Five Poison Sect, 《Snake Fist》, and a Second-Rank martial art from the Beggar Sect, 《Snake-Driving Staff Art》… If you want them, I will have soone deliver them.”
Yang Feiyue’s answer filled Wangchuan with delighted surprise.
“Thank you, Gang Leader!”
He just did not know whether either of those two thods contained a niche cultivation thod.
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