Chapter 178: No One Has It Easy

BOOM!!

The torrential rain spared the lives of those bandits and vagrants.

After chasing them for several dozen meters, the Yulong Gang disciples stopped pursuing in the downpour and were called back by Wang Yuehui and Chen Ergou.

“Fall back!”

“Don’t get separated!”

“Saving people is the priority!”

“Brothers, help carry the wounded onto the carts! Cover them from the rain!”

“Everyone, pack up and move immediately! If you stay soaked too long, you’ll catch a chill!”

The Yulong Gang disciples quickly pushed Lin Xun and Qin Ming’s convoy out of the mud, tightened their guard, and began the return journey.

Behind them trailed a large group of timid refugees.

As the convoy moved, more and more refugees joined from the sides, and the procession grew longer and longer.

Lin Xun and Qin Ming looked back at the swelling line of refugees, their brows tightly knit.

“This damned rain…”

“There are too many disaster victims in Rong County. They’re all heading toward Huishui County… but Huishui can’t possibly accommodate so many.”

“Exactly.”

“Rong County has over a hundred thousand people. Although most escaped, that’s a hundred thousand mouths to feed. And many lost their grain and silver to bandits.”

Qin Ming was deeply worried.

The convoy did not return to Huishui County until dusk.

Even with their martial training and robust constitutions, the men were shivering from the cold wind and rain. After storing all the goods in the warehouse, they hurried into the hall to warm themselves by the fire.

Wangchuan personally received Qin Ming and Lin Xun.

“Wangchuan! Thank you.”

“If you hadn’t arrived in time, we might not have made it.” Qin Ming’s words surprised Wangchuan.

“How could it have turned out like that? I remember Heilong County sent reinforcements. Why were you still in such dire straits?”

Wangchuan knew Rong County’s strength well. They had recruited no fewer than eighty Inner Disciples, and with Heilong County’s reinforcements, they should have had over a hundred men. They should not have been bullied by bandits.

Qin Ming gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

“After we left the city, the waters rose at the Water Stronghold as well. The docks and the mining area were flooded. The brothers from Heilong County were sent there overnight to help… I suspect the situation there is just as severe.”

“We also dispatched twenty men to assist, which left only about sixty guards for our convoy. Most of the Outer Disciples had to care for their families and trailed behind. The moment we left the city, the bandits targeted us.”

“That’s right.”

At the mention of the bandits, Lin Xun clenched his teeth in fury.

“There were remnants of the Green Bamboo Gang among them—two full-fledged Martial Artists leading a group of Quasi-Martial Artists. They rallied over a hundred vagrants. Normally they wouldn’t have been hard to deal with, but our men had unloaded cargo through the night and were exhausted. Some even caught chills and lost combat strength. Otherwise, how could we have been bullied by those beasts?”

Hearing the full explanation, Wangchuan sighed.

“The brothers who caught chills have drunk Physician Liao’s ginger broth and medicine. They should recover in a few days. For now, stay here at the hall and rest until the rain stops.”

“That’s the only option…”

“Sorry to trouble you, Brother Wangchuan.”

“We are brothers of the same gang. No need for such courtesy.”

After some further conversation, Wangchuan left the room.

Lin Xun soon followed and entered Wangchuan’s chamber.

“Sigh.”

“This time, Rong County’s hall is truly in deep trouble. Not only will we lose all of last month’s profits, we may even fall into debt.”

Now alone, Lin Xun held nothing back.

“The warehouse inventory in Rong County was worth over five thousand taels of silver. We salvaged part of it, but the lost salt and iron must be compensated by the Yulong Gang according to the rules. The flood destroyed some ships as well. Add in medical expenses for the injured brothers—none of it is a small sum.”

Wangchuan poured him hot tea calmly.

“Natural disasters and human calamities cannot always be avoided. We can only accept the loss. Fortunately, you’re a Helm Leader, not the Hall Master. Qin Ming must be the one with the real headache.”

As a Hall Master himself, Wangchuan understood the internal rules.

Lost goods meant accountability for the Hall Master, who had to compensate from future profits.

Lin Xun would be affected, but not as severely.

Lin Xun gave a faint smile.

“True. Failing to secure the Hall Master position back then might have spared me this disaster.”

“Brother Lin, have some tea.”

Wangchuan pushed the cup toward him.

“As long as we’re alive, that’s what matters. I’ve come to see it clearly. Whether we earn more or less silver is secondary. If we can live steadily and cultivate in peace, that’s enough.”

“Huishui County’s position is indeed favorable,” Lin Xun said thoughtfully. “The Five Poison Sect problem is temporarily resolved. Upstream lies Heilong County, downstream the Water Stronghold and Rong County. Life here should be comfortable. I almost feel like coming here to be a Helm Leader instead…”

Wangchuan laughed heartily.

“Brother Lin, if you truly come, you’re welcome anytime!”

He knew it was a joke.

There was no way a senior figure would come here to compete for a Helm Leader position.

Lin Xun’s next step would undoubtedly be Hall Master.

As expected, Lin Xun waved it off.

“Forget it.”

“Even if Qin Ming agreed, the Gang Leader wouldn’t.”

“I’ll wait until the Yulong Gang establishes a fourth hall. Then I’ll take charge there and be satisfied, like you.”

“The Hall Master’s seat is not easy to hold.”

Wangchuan raised his teacup and said sincerely, “Huishui first faced invasion from the Qingyi Sect, then repeated assaults from the Five Poison Sect. Second- and Third-Rank Martial Artists appeared. If not for Captain Zhao Heiniu’s help, the hall might have fallen.”

Lin Xun nodded. He knew Zhao Heiniu had indeed aided Wangchuan greatly.

Wangchuan continued,

“And in Heilong County, though Song Minshu says little, he faces Feng Shaoguang of the Qingyi Sect—backed by Five Poison Sect disciples—and openly the Beggar’s Sect. Hall Master Song lives in constant vigilance. Now Rong County is half-submerged. The next two months’ profits will likely be swallowed by recovery. None of us have it easy.”

“If you truly become Hall Master, start cultivating capable and loyal aides now. At least you won’t have to handle everything personally.”

“Good advice.” Lin Xun understood this was experience hard-earned and meant to prevent him from stumbling when his time came.

Suddenly—

Rapid footsteps echoed in the courtyard.

Chen Ergou’s voice rang from outside the door.

“Hall Master! More and more refugees are gathering outside the city! The authorities can’t manage them anymore. They’ve asked for our assistance—hoping we can dispatch brothers to help maintain order!”

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