Yang Feiyue was convinced that Wangchuan’s future would be boundless. Acting with unusual enthusiasm, he imdiately sent a carrier pigeon ssage to Steward Zhang at the Water Stronghold, ordering him to bring the two martial arts manuals to Heilong County at once.
While they waited, Wangchuan continued training in the grounds, practicing 《Green Bamboo Staff Art》. The long staff spun fluidly in his hands, slicing through the air with fierce whistling sounds. Every strike was heavy and forceful, smashing against the Iron Dummy Stake with loud, resounding thuds.
Wangchuan was fully absorbed in his cultivation.
Yang Feiyue watched with animated delight, nodding repeatedly.
“Good!”
“You have already carved three parts into the wood—just one more asure of refinent and you will break through to the realm of ‘Practice Makes Perfect’!”
“Continue!”
At that mont, Song Minshu, who had gone out on orders, returned with good news.
After inquiring throughout the city and its outskirts, they had finally uncovered a trace of clues.
Soone on the road had seen a man who appeared gravely injured, staggering and collapsing by the roadside. He had then been helped up by two others and loaded into a carriage, which headed straight toward Sanhe Commandery.
“Sanhe Commandery!”
Yang Feiyue’s gaze sharpened, and he snorted coldly.
“Hmph. As expected—it is the Beggar Sect.”
Song Minshu and Elder Fang Kui exchanged a glance, both seeing the concern in the other’s eyes.
“Gang Leader.”
“The Beggar Sect is the largest gang under heaven. How should this matter be concluded now?”
As the hall master and elder of Heilong County, they knew very well that the filthy beggars in the county had long been seething with resentnt, eager to reclaim territory. One misstep could ignite the situation and escalate into an all-out gang war.
In truth, Yang Feiyue did not wish to make open enemies of the Beggar Sect either.
But the other side had gone too far, attempting to assassinate him.
A scholar may endure humiliation, but there is a limit.
“Wangchuan, I am giving you a task.”
Yang Feiyue removed the hidden-weapon belt of the Tang Sect and handed it to Wangchuan. “Make a trip to Sanhe Commandery. Take this token and go to the Caobang to find Hall Master Yin. Tell him that Yang Feiyue of the Yulong Gang demands an explanation.”
Wangchuan’s heart gave a slight jolt.
Yang Feiyue’s expression remained calm as he added, “You need not say anything more. Simply follow Hall Master Yin’s arrangents. For years, the Caobang has styled itself as the foremost gang in the Jianghu, constantly competing with the Beggar Sect. Now that a gang leader under its banner has been bullied to this extent by the Beggar Sect, they will not sit idly by.”
Wangchuan nodded.
In disputes between gangs, what was truly contested was a breath of pride.
One could lose n, but one could not lose face.
Even Hall Master Yin could not possibly turn a blind eye to this.
Yang Feiyue intended to use this move to force the Caobang into action.
Once the Caobang moved, the Beggar Sect would inevitably beco cautious, fearing repercussions, and would not dare target the Yulong Gang with full force.
Wangchuan accepted the hidden-weapon belt, tied it around his waist, and clasped his fists.
“This subordinate accepts the order!”
He then departed with Chen Ergou and Zhao Heiniu, boarding a boat and traveling upstream toward Sanhe Commandery.
The inner disciples took turns rowing. In just a little over an hour, they reached the docks of Sanhe Commandery before dusk.
The Yulong Gang disciples disembarked at the Caobang docks in Sanhe Commandery.
Wangchuan left all the inner disciples at the dock and asked one Caobang disciple to lead him to the hall to see Hall Master Yin.
The Caobang’s hall was imposing.
At the entrance stood a majestic black qilin statue. On the steps, eight robust disciples stood in orderly formation, wearing uniform attire and carrying identical Hundredfold Steel Sabers. Their spirits were high, their bearing formidable—enough to deter any casual approach.
Upon learning that a hall master from the Yulong Gang had co, they gave him proper respect and went inside to report.
Before long, soone erged to lead him in.
The front courtyard inside was as spacious as a training ground. The ground was so well swept that not a speck of dust could be seen. Guards stood every three steps, sentries every five. The quiet atmosphere carried a solemn authority.
Wangchuan could not help but sigh inwardly. Though both were hall masters, the Caobang truly possessed far greater grandeur.
Judging by the grounds alone, there were likely more than a hundred disciples standing guard each day.
What extravagance.
After passing three thresholds and turning into a courtyard, he finally t Hall Master Yin.
The man wore dark green robes, looking more like an official than a gang figure. He kept a small mustache and was practicing calligraphy in a stone pavilion.
The guiding disciple halted outside the pavilion and gestured for silence.
Wangchuan understood at once and waited quietly as the ink flowed across the paper.
After a long while, Hall Master Yin completed a piece of calligraphy. A satisfied expression appeared on his face as he set down the brush and turned his head, casting what seed like a casual glance at Wangchuan.
“You are the hall master who has taken over Huishui County for the Yulong Gang. What was your na again?”
“This subordinate is Wangchuan! I pay my respects to Hall Master Yin!”
Wangchuan responded promptly and respectfully presented the hidden-weapon belt, relaying the gang leader’s ssage.
Hall Master Yin nodded in understanding but paid no attention to the belt.
“Wangchuan.”
“A good na.”
“I heard from Yang Feiyue that Feng Shaoguang fell into your hands and was captured alive. And that even the Snake Elder of the Five Poison Sect died at your hands? Tell
the details.”
A faint smile rested on Hall Master Yin’s lips as he carefully observed Wangchuan’s reaction.
Wangchuan clasped his fists and replied, “Reporting to Hall Master, this subordinate was fortunate in capturing Feng Shaoguang. At the ti, the gang leader was restraining the Snake Elder of the Five Poison Sect and Lei Zhiyin. Feng Shaoguang’s n were a pack of useless fools, which allowed this subordinate to seize the opportunity and take him down.”
“As for the Snake Elder, the Five Poison Sect had attacked our hall multiple tis. This subordinate had gained so experience and prepared over a hundred Quasi-Martial Artists, along with a large supply of arrows, Armor-Piercing Arrows, and Realgar Powder. The gates were tightly shut, preventing the snakes from entering. The Snake Elder’s greatest advantage could not be brought into play.”
“The environnt was dim, and the Snake Elder was elderly with poor eyesight. Taking advantage of his inattention, this subordinate shot an arrow into his head and killed him. Thinking back on it now, it was still largely a matter of luck.”
Wangchuan selected the key points and finished his explanation without a change in expression.
Hall Master Yin’s eyes showed contemplation, and he smiled faintly.
“Victory without arrogance. In a gang, that is a rare and precious trait. Or perhaps you fear that this hall master will assign you a dangerous task beyond your capability, and so you are trying to conceal your talent?”
“This subordinate would not dare! I have spoken only the truth, without concealnt or exaggeration.”
A chill ran through Wangchuan’s heart. The hall master of the Caobang had keen eyes indeed. At their first eting, he saw through him more accurately than even the old fox Yang Feiyue.
It was true.
He had feared being singled out to deal with the Beggar Sect and had deliberately downplayed his own ability, reining in his sharpness.
“Hmph.”
“The matters of your Yulong Gang hall have long been reported. Your archery is excellent, and you showed both courage and strategy in dealing with Feng Shaoguang. After all, Feng Shaoguang was captured alive.”
“So… put away your little tricks.”
Hall Master Yin sneered.
“Yang Feiyue sent you before
most likely because he feels the Yulong Gang cannot contain a promising seedling like you. Enough of that—it is pointless to say more.”
“Go and kill the murderer from the Beggar Sect. I do not care what thods you use. Do it well, and you may stay. Fail, and you may return to the Yulong Gang and continue playing your little gas with Yang Feiyue.”
“…”
Cold sweat poured down Wangchuan’s back.
Kill a master of the Beggar Sect?
Damn it.
This cursed Jianghu.
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