Chapter 132: Hidden Dangers of the Yulong Gang

One must respect the experience drawn by those who came before.

If others had already fallen into a pit, there was no reason to jump in and step on it again.

To do so would severely contradict the very purpose of Captain Bai Jingtang remaining here.

Su Wangchuan listened to advice. He immediately abandoned the plan of using life-and-death combat to farm experience points and asked several more questions.

“Captain Bai.”

“Ten days ago, I encountered a First-Rank swordsman. I think he was Qingyi Sect’s swift sword, ‘Zhao Changhong.’ I found that his movement technique and swordsmanship countered my 《Hundred Paces Piercing the Poplar》. With only small, simple evasive motions, he could avoid my attacks while maintaining constant forward pressure.”

“How did you kill him in the end?” Bai Jingtang asked in return.

Su Wangchuan recounted the situation in full detail.

Bai Jingtang nodded.

“You were lucky.”

“This Zhao Changhong you mentioned—his movement technique had likely already reached the ‘Entry-Level Mastery’ realm. The higher the realm of a movement technique, the faster the speed. Moreover, his swordsmanship realm was not low either. If nothing unexpected had happened, his strength should not have been inferior to Monk Dalong’s. He was likely another martial artist on the verge of breaking through to Second Rank.”

As soon as she said this, everyone showed shock.

They were not shocked by Zhao Changhong’s strength.

They were shocked that, under those circumstances, Su Wangchuan—a newly advanced First-Rank martial artist—had actually killed him.

From Su Wangchuan’s description, they could all tell that Zhao Changhong had been extremely confident in his movement technique and swordsmanship. He had been a seasoned First-Rank martial artist.

Yet after being forced into close range, Su Wangchuan had switched his primary weapon twice, and in the end used 《Heart-Piercing Dart》 to strike Zhao Changhong between the brows, killing him with a single blow.

The thought made their hearts tremble.

Bai Jingtang remained calm. “Life-and-death combat is often unreasonable. With the right timing, location, and human factors, it is entirely possible to kill an enemy beyond one’s rank. Zhao Changhong was overconfident and underestimated you. He assumed you were merely an ordinary martial artist who had nothing to rely on besides Archery. That was his path to death.”

“You cultivate the Second-Rank martial art 《Heart-Piercing Dart》. One of its attributes is Armor Penetration +1. One point of Armor Penetration can break through ordinary body-protection techniques and suppress Zhao Changhong’s ‘Minor Mastery’ realm body-protection skill. Another attribute allows an instant kill upon striking a fatal area. It is extremely domineering.”

“In the future, when you roam Jianghu, remember this well—long-range armor-piercing damage is terrifying. You must be cautious.”

Everyone nodded once more and committed it to memory.

Zhao Changhong was a lesson written in blood.

At this moment, Su Wangchuan voiced his doubt.

“Captain Bai, if I encounter an opponent like Zhao Changhong again, and the enemy already knows my situation, how should I respond?”

“You lack close-quarters combat experience. Find someone to spar with. Once you experience more, you will improve. There is no way to teach this… it can only be accumulated—through practice, through repetition, through time.”

Bai Jingtang spoke each word slowly, carving them into everyone’s hearts.

The group felt relieved.

Su Wangchuan had entered the game for the shortest time, yet his record was brilliant. Fortunately, his weakness was equally obvious—too little experience.

Otherwise, he would have overshadowed them all.

At that moment, Bai Jingtang turned to him again.

“You have not been First Rank for long, and your understanding of 《spirit realm》 should still be limited. Let me remind you—given your experience and actual combat ability, it will actually be difficult for you to firmly secure the position of Hall Master of the Yulong Gang’s Huishui County branch.”

“…”

Su Wangchuan froze.

Bai Jingtang’s words were startling, and she continued.

“The Yulong Gang, from top to bottom, is in danger. Expanding out of Huishui County and entering Heilong County—stepping into Qingyi Sect’s territory—may look like growth and strengthening. In reality, it has planted enormous hidden dangers for the Yulong Gang.”

“Please enlighten me, Captain Bai.”

Su Wangchuan was not familiar with the surrounding Jianghu forces, but he trusted Bai Jingtang’s judgment.

She explained:

“The Yulong Gang has successively taken down Nu Tao Gang and Blackwind Stronghold. Its strength and foundation have greatly increased… and your Gang Leader has advanced to Second Rank. There is indeed an opportunity to rise.”

“Unfortunately, he is too impatient…”

“If he had solidly guarded this small piece of land and developed slowly—cultivating a few more Second-Rank martial artists, recruiting more men, strengthening his forces, and expanding steadily within Huishui County into a proper Second-Rank gang—things would have gone much more smoothly.”

“But before the Yulong Gang’s foundation was truly solid, he stepped into Heilong County…”

Bai Jingtang slowly shook her head.

“This is clearly a trap deliberately set by Qingyi Sect. They lured the Yulong Gang into Heilong County, exposing its ambitions and weaknesses, and provoking the hostility of stronger surrounding forces. Even the Prefectural Government has begun hearing about the Yulong Gang. The major clans and various powers do not view it favorably. Before long, the Yulong Gang will encounter trouble.”

Su Wangchuan’s face changed drastically.

In truth, when Yang Feiyue had decided to enter Heilong County, Su Wangchuan had resisted it. Song Minshu, Fang Kui, and Qin Ming likely had their reservations as well.

Bai Jingtang continued:

“Once the Yulong Gang suffers a setback, in a lighter case, it will lose its Heilong County branch, suffer casualties, and retreat to Huishui County to recuperate. In a serious case, its Water Stronghold could be seized, its losses devastating, reduced back to its former state, or even collapse entirely.”

“…”

A chill ran through Su Wangchuan’s heart.

These were only Bai Jingtang’s deductions—her personal views. But she was a Third-Rank martial artist. Her perspective was undoubtedly deeper and farther-reaching than his.

He did not dare imagine what it would be like if the Yulong Gang were heavily crippled or beaten back to its original form.

All the conveniences, treatment, authority, and profits he currently enjoyed would vanish into nothing.

Su Wangchuan’s expression darkened.

Bai Jingtang looked straight into his eyes and continued:

“But you are only a Hall Master. You cannot change the gang’s strategic direction. Since Yang Feiyue is ambitious and determined to expand territory, his will is paramount. If I were you, I would now obtain all the manuals available in the Yulong Gang’s armory and cultivate them. Extract as much authority and as many resources into your own hands as possible.”

“Extract?”

Su Wangchuan was stunned.

The others were equally startled.

Bai Jingtang nodded.

“The trusted subordinates you have cultivated within the Yulong Gang—people like Chen Ergou and Zhao Heiniu—build their loyalty as much as possible. Arrange them properly. Even if something truly happens to the Yulong Gang, you will retain a portion of your strength. Your advantages will not be wiped to zero.”

“…”

Su Wangchuan nodded in sudden understanding.

At that moment, Qin Jinguo spoke with a smile. “We could also consider arranging more colleagues from the company to enter the Yulong Gang. We can enjoy the benefits together. When the Yulong Gang truly runs into trouble, we can look out for one another and withdraw safely.”

“…”

Bai Jingtang shook her head. “When that moment truly arrives, life and death will be decided. The company should sever ties in advance. Otherwise, it will suffer a severe impact.”

Qin Jinguo’s expression turned awkward.

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