Chapter 73

Less than a month…

Lin Xun’s answer immediately made Su Wangchuan tense.

He had been in the county seat for more than half a month, forging all kinds of Hundredfold Steel weapons for the Yulong Gang. He had barely been able to spare any time for martial cultivation.

Thinking of this, he frowned slightly, feeling a growing sense of urgency and pressure.

Blackstone Village could not be allowed to come to harm.

He had promised his master, Blacksmith Sun, and Captain Zhao Heiniu that if Blackstone Village was ever in danger, he would definitely rush over to provide assistance.

Instructor Yu saw through his thoughts and said,

“You don’t need to worry too much about Blackstone Village. If something really happens, at worst I’ll go with you. This constable uniform of mine still has some deterrent effect on those petty bandits and thieves.”

“Then many thanks, Instructor Yu.”

Su Wangchuan clasped his fists in gratitude.

Lin Xun raised a hand and steered the topic back to the Nu Tao Gang’s water stronghold.

“In fact, as long as the constable from the prefectural Six Gates leaves, with the combat strength of the land-clearing teams from our three studios, we can easily crush all the martial artists in Huishui County… We have informants in the yamen and among the major families. The moment any side makes a move, we’ll receive advance intelligence and take precautions early.”

“Once we seize the Nu Tao Gang’s territory and control this body of water, we can collect protection fees from passing merchant ships every day…”

“The Nu Tao Gang used to take ten percent of each convoy’s profits. Even in the worst winter season, they could earn seven to eight hundred taels of silver a day. In spring and autumn, daily income reached dozens of taels of gold. Split three ways, the profits would still be enormous. It would be an inexhaustible source of wealth.”

Lin Xun clearly supported seizing the Nu Tao Gang’s water stronghold.

Monk Dalong felt the same.

But Instructor Yu was still hesitating.

Chen Hong, from the land-clearing reserve team, also did not state her position.

Seeing that the discussion was going nowhere, Lin Xun helplessly waved his hand.

“Everyone go back and think it over carefully.”

“Before Constable Yu leaves, the three studios must make a decision. Anyone willing to participate will receive benefits. Those unwilling to participate are fine as well, but the matter must be kept secret.”

Then Instructor Yu, Chen Hong, and Monk Dalong left Laifeng Pavilion with the weapons case.

Lin Xun stopped Su Wangchuan.

“Wangchuan, stay and sit with me for a while.”

“Oh, alright.”

Su Wangchuan sat back down across from Lin Xun.

Lin Xun fixed his gaze on Su Wangchuan’s eyes and said, “Do you know why the studio is willing to take the risk of seizing the Nu Tao Gang’s water stronghold?”

“Isn’t it to open up a source of income?”

Su Wangchuan asked in return.

Lin Xun nodded.

“That’s only one of the reasons.”

“In spirit realm, almost every day, villages disappear. Sometimes even families and gangs vanish… Even the county seats are not safe.”

“The higher you cultivate and the more secret information you come into contact with, the more you’ll understand that spirit realm is full of danger everywhere… If you don’t fight, don’t seize, and don’t become stronger, one day you will be seized by others, devoured by the law of the jungle, and reduced to nourishment for someone else.”

“Blackwind Stronghold, the Nu Tao Gang, the Qingfeng Escort Agency, and even our Yulong Gang—all of them are the same.”

“Whoever stays stagnant and refuses to advance will be destroyed.”

“Actually, there was no need to tell you so much. You’re from the gold farming department. As long as you stay in the county seat, forge iron, earn some money, and strengthen your body, many dangers wouldn’t come looking for you.”

“But Room Master Zhang… you know about him, right?”

Lin Xun suddenly mentioned Room Master Zhang.

Su Wangchuan’s eyes sharpened.

Room Master Zhang had disappeared.

Ever since Hall Master He ordered Fei Zai to have him watched, Room Master Zhang had not stepped out of the east wing room even once.

At the time, Su Wangchuan had guessed that the wealth Room Master Zhang had accumulated over his lifetime had probably been swallowed clean by Hall Master He’s faction. But judging from Lin Xun’s expression, it was not that simple.

“What happened to Room Master Zhang?”

“He’s already dead. I heard from a few brothers below that after he confessed the existence of a mistress who hid silver for him, he and that mistress were sunk into the river overnight.”

“…”

A chill ran through Su Wangchuan.

Room Master Zhang had been selfish and greedy, amassing no small amount of wealth through the Weapon Room, but he had still rendered some bitter service to the Yulong Gang…

Who would have thought that Su Wangchuan’s appearance would directly lead to such an end for him, to be stripped clean, flesh and bone, so quickly.

Hall Master He…

Terrifying.

And Fei Zai, who usually called him brother, showed no hesitation at all when it came to devouring people.

Lin Xun had been watching Su Wangchuan’s expression the entire time.

Seeing that Su Wangchuan could still sit steady, he revealed a look of appreciation and said,

“Not bad.”

“Bringing you to Laifeng Pavilion today was partly to tell you that people of the Jianghu must understand limits, and must understand what ‘beauties as skeletons’ really means. These painted skins of beautiful women are bone-scraping steel blades, and also the cheapest things of all. Don’t be easily tempted by lust.”

“And also to tell you that those people in the Yulong Gang who call you brother may turn on you at any time for the sake of profit. Don’t take it too seriously…”

“You just need to be on guard yourself.”

“I will remember it well.”

Su Wangchuan felt deeply moved and clasped his fists in thanks.

Lin Xun stood up and poured him a cup of wine.

“Come, have a couple of drinks before heading back. As a member of the Yulong Gang, a person of the Jianghu, not drinking makes you stand out too much.”

Su Wangchuan understood immediately. He raised his cup.

“Hearing your words today is worth ten years of reading. I’ll offer this toast to you, Brother Lin, borrowing flowers to present Buddha.”

He drained the cup in one go.

The fiery liquor rushed straight down his throat.

Su Wangchuan sucked in a breath of air.

“Good!”

Lin Xun drank with him and smiled.

“Among all these newcomers, to be honest, you’re the one I appreciate the most. Diligent, intelligent… I recommended you to join the Yulong Gang simply because we got along well, but I didn’t expect you to do even better than I imagined. Not only did you establish yourself quickly, you even became the Room Master of the Weapon Room. In the future, there will be a place for you in Huishui County.”

“This is all thanks to Brother Lin’s guidance and planning. Without your arrangements, I would still be a blacksmith apprentice in Blackstone Village. I’ll toast you another cup.”

Su Wangchuan stood up and poured more wine on his own initiative.

Lin Xun laughed loudly.

“Look at you, learning so fast.”

Su Wangchuan raised his cup again.

“For this second cup, I hope Brother Lin will continue to guide and advise me in the future, and look after me more. If there’s ever anything you need Wangchuan for, just say the word. I’ll do everything in my power.”

With that, he tipped his head back and drained another cup.

This time it was better, but his eyes still burned red from the spice.

“Actually, I know everyone dislikes taking risks, so I won’t force you to get involved in the Nu Tao Gang water stronghold matter…”

Lin Xun suddenly shifted his tone, his voice turning low.

“But since you’ve already entered spirit realm and are living in this kind of environment, it’s very necessary to understand the law of the jungle as early as possible, and to adapt early to this world’s rules of play.”

His words were already very restrained.

Su Wangchuan felt a deep stir in his heart.

Lin Xun immediately smiled again.

“Earlier, you mentioned Blackstone Village. That made me very happy. It means you haven’t been blinded by the high monthly income, haven’t forgotten where you came from, and haven’t forgotten your master… Good. Just for that alone, if Blackstone Village ever faces danger, call me once, and I’ll definitely lend you a hand.”

“Many thanks, Brother Lin!”

Su Wangchuan was overjoyed and raised his cup to toast him.

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