Chapter 137: Preparing for a Rainy Day

Troubled times.

Su Wangchuan looked at the venomous snake before him and sighed heavily, his expression grave.

He had already learned the full details of what happened last night. He patted Bai Yuhui on the shoulder and praised him.

“Yuhui, you did well. You will be rewarded with five taels of silver, paid together with your wages. You worked all night—you must be tired. Go and rest.”

“Yes.”

Before leaving, Bai Yuhui could not help asking, “By the way, Hall Master, since the Five Poison Sect is targeting our branch, how should we respond? Should we seek help from the gang, or from the studio?”

As a participant in the Blackwind Stronghold operation, Bai Yuhui knew that the Five Poison Sect was a behemoth beyond the Yulong Gang’s ability to confront, much less a single branch.

“No need to fear.”

Su Wangchuan waved his hand.

“This is not the deep mountains. No matter how powerful the Five Poison Sect is, they still fear the authorities. Our branch is safe for now. In the future, we may need to arrange more sentries and strengthen night defenses… What you need to do now is cultivate diligently and break through to become a martial artist as soon as possible.”

Bai Yuhui understood and withdrew.

Indeed, this situation was not something a Quasi-Martial Artist could meddle in.

To survive, one needed strength.

After Bai Yuhui left, Su Wangchuan summoned Chen Ergou, Wang Yuehui, and Hong Kaibao.

“Kaibao, make a trip to Blackstone Village. Invite Captain Zhao over. Tell him we need his help here.”

“Yes!”

Hong Kaibao accepted the order and departed.

Su Wangchuan had already considered the matter. At present, the branch had only one First-Rank martial artist—himself.

If he logged out to rest, there would be no martial artist stationed at the hall. It would be far too easy to breach.

Captain Zhao Heiniu, having mastered 《Basic Spear Technique》, 《Archery》, and 《Hundred Paces Piercing the Poplar》 to a high realm, should possess the strength of a true martial artist.

More importantly, he was a seasoned hunter. He could detect danger at the earliest moment—hear the faint rustle of a snake, smell its scent.

With Captain Zhao Heiniu stationed to give warning, it would be difficult for the Five Poison Sect to annihilate the Huishui County branch without alerting the hall. They could hold out until reinforcements arrived from the county yamen and the water gates.

“Ergou, has the leather armor that Yuhui entrusted you to sew been prepared?”

Su Wangchuan’s tone sharpened.

Chen Ergou replied, “This subordinate went to urge the tailor yesterday. The owner said it would be completed before nightfall today. I will personally retrieve it then.”

“It must be finished before nightfall today. Send someone clever to wait there.”

“Yes!”

Sweat appeared on Chen Ergou’s forehead. He could sense the Hall Master’s dissatisfaction at the delay.

“This subordinate will go urge them again.”

Receiving silent approval, he hurried out.

“Yuehui.”

“This subordinate is here.”

Wang Yuehui already sensed the tense atmosphere enveloping the hall and discerned from the Hall Master’s expression that the situation was serious.

“How far have you cultivated your three core attributes?”

Su Wangchuan asked.

He knew that Wang Yuehui had been cultivating in secret, never slackening.

“Reporting to Hall Master, Strength 17, Agility 18, Stamina 19.”

The answer caused Su Wangchuan to pause slightly.

None of the three attributes had reached 20, yet all three were very close.

“Interesting. Yuehui, you have quite the ambition.”

Su Wangchuan studied him with mild surprise.

“You did not intend to become a formal martial artist immediately, but planned to charge straight for First Rank?”

“No,” Wang Yuehui hastened to explain. “This subordinate simply could not find suitable techniques to directly break through the 20-point attribute threshold, so everything ended up just short.”

“Has 《Water-Submerged Breath Regulation Art》 reached ‘Practice Makes Perfect’?”

“Yes, Hall Master.”

“And your fist techniques?”

“Both 《Black Tiger Fist》 and 《Lightfoot on Grass》 have reached bottlenecks. This subordinate plans to save up to purchase 《Gale Saber Art》 and train that.”

“Cultivating 《Gale Saber Art》 will allow your Agility to break past 20 first. Upon formally becoming a martial artist, you will receive 4 free attribute points—enough to raise Strength and Stamina to 20 as well, directly advancing you to First Rank.”

“…”

Wang Yuehui’s eyes shone with surprise.

“Truly?”

“That would be wonderful.”

Su Wangchuan watched him closely.

This man was deeply calculating. By leveraging the Yulong Gang’s manuals, he had rapidly cultivated to the brink of First Rank, even surpassing Lin Xun.

In some respects, his talent was quite good. His planning ability was strong, and he cultivated diligently.

Yet he maintained an appearance of harmlessness.

If someone like Zhao Changhong had encountered him, he might well have fallen to Wang Yuehui.

“Just in time,” Su Wangchuan said.

“The branch lacks a martial artist to hold the fort. Break through to First Rank quickly. The Yulong Gang is in need of capable people. You might even be assigned to the dock branch to manage it on my behalf.”

“Hall Master, that would not do.”

Wang Yuehui panicked.

“This subordinate never intended to take on any position. I only wish to cultivate quietly and live well… I do not want dangerous posts. I am willing to serve under you for life! Truly! I have a younger sister—she is still young. I cannot die!”

Su Wangchuan continued to observe his subtle expressions.

He saw nothing amiss.

Wang Yuehui’s anxiety appeared genuine.

Was it truly fear of death…

Or was he deeply calculating, with other intentions?

Su Wangchuan could not tell.

Still, Wang Yuehui advancing to First Rank would be a good thing.

Especially for a branch lacking martial artists to hold the line—one more martial artist would eliminate many unnecessary troubles.

Thus Su Wangchuan said:

“Cultivating 《Gale Saber Art》 will not take long. Break through to First Rank within three days. If you wish, I can recommend you for the position of Helm Leader or Elder in the gang… If you truly do not wish to show your face and prefer to remain an inner disciple here, that is fine. But from now on, you will be responsible for night duty.”

“…”

Wang Yuehui’s face changed drastically.

“Hall Master…”

Before he could finish, Su Wangchuan cut him off.

“I cultivate during the day and must rest at night. If something truly happens, I will log in immediately and fight alongside you. And do not worry—Bai Yuhui, Hong Kaibao, and Chen Ergou will all be here. At the latest, by noon today, Captain Zhao Heiniu will arrive to accompany you and jointly guard the hall.”

“Beyond them, our Warring States Game Studio also has connections at the county yamen and the escort agency… The situation is not as dire as you imagine.”

Only then did Wang Yuehui gradually calm.

“Of course,” Su Wangchuan added.

“Once you break through to First Rank, I will raise your salary to one hundred taels of silver per month, bonuses calculated separately, ensuring you have sufficient funds to purchase Second-Rank martial arts.”

“If you wish to shoulder nothing, then remain at your current salary and continue as an inner disciple. I do not mind. Before long, Bai Yuhui and Hong Kaibao will both advance to formal martial artists.”

“You choose.”

Su Wangchuan laid out the two paths and waited for Wang Yuehui’s decision.

CLICK HERE to Rate/Review