Su Wangchuan had completely immersed himself in cultivation.
Whenever he was utterly exhausted, he would sit cross-legged and circulate ăQingcheng Heart Methodă, restoring his body to peak condition.
When he was hungry, he summoned a robot to deliver food.
Again and again, he pushed forward.
From the first move to the lastâŠ
Countless times he stumbled, unable to link the sequence smoothly.
But Su Wangchuan was patient.
Bai Jingtangâs final demonstration was etched deeply in his mind, available for comparison at any moment.
If he made a mistake, he started over.
If once was not enough, he practiced ten times.
If ten times were not enough, he practiced ten more.
If force did not work, he softened.
If softness would not carry through, he imitated Captain Baiâletting out a low hum, forcing himself to refine the movement, seeking new sensations amid the fractured attempts.
And surprisinglyâŠ
Through slow and painstaking exploration, after two days and one night without sleep, he finally executed the full set of ăQingcheng Sword Artă flawlessly.
Every detail was in place. At the very least, he had imitated most of that agile, transcendent bearing.
Compared to Captain Baiâs sword forms, there were no obvious flaws.
âBack to the game.â
Su Wangchuan returned to ăspirit realmă.
His in-game character was already starving.
He hurried off to eat his fill, then circulated ăQingcheng Heart Methodă to restore his condition before practicing again in the courtyard.
Whoosh!
Whoosh, whoosh!
Like a Daoist swordsman, with longsword in hand, his steps were gentle yet steady. The sword momentum was rounded and supple, yet when he struck, it was decisive and swift. Solid and void interwove seamlessly. After completing the full set, he felt utterly refreshed.
He summoned the Status Panel and saw that his experience for ăQingcheng Sword Artă had advanced to 9/100.
Three days and two nights.
At last, ăQingcheng Sword Artă had entered the gate.
He had finally grasped the method for cultivating a Third-Rank sword art.
âHall Master.â
At that moment, Wang Yuehui heard the movement in the courtyard and stepped inside.
âYou have finally logged back in.â
It was the first time he had seen the Hall Master absent from the game for two consecutive days. If Bai Yuhui had not informed him that the Hall Master was training offline, he might have suspected that the Five Poison Sect had quietly eliminated him.
âWhat is it? Has anything gone wrong in the hall these past two days?â
âEverything in both the inner and outer divisions is normal. However, the escort agency encountered some trouble. One cart of goods was lost. Several brothers were killed or injured. We paid compensation.â
Wang Yuehuiâs tone was heavy.
Su Wangchuan frowned slightly.
âTell me what happened.â
The moment he heard that members of Qingfeng Escort Agency had suffered casualties, his guard rose instantly.
Could the Beggar Sect have caught wind of something? If so, that required caution.
Wang Yuehui replied, âAccording to the brothers who escaped, the attacker was a First-Rank Martial Artist. He acted alone and targeted the cargo. After killing two of our guards, our men realized they were outmatched and abandoned the cart.â
âWhat was in the cargo?â
âThat is the strange part. It was not valuable. Just ordinary tea leaves and wine, sent by a merchant to his shop in Heilong County. The total value was about one hundred and forty taels of silver. The brothers responsible for losing the goods paid part of it. We covered the rest, including pensions. The deficit has been filled.â
âWine? Tea? One person?â
Su Wangchuanâs gaze turned thoughtful.
The loss felt inexplicable.
Since when had a First-Rank Martial Artist fallen so low as to survive by robbing such ordinary goods?
Moreoverâ
Tea would be difficult to resell. Once seized, no one would dare distribute such goods in the short term.
Especially for someone acting alone, who likely lacked distribution channels.
Thereforeâ
âThe target was the wine.â
A glint flashed in Su Wangchuanâs eyes.
âThis bandit is fond of alcohol.â
âA First-Rank Martial Artist.â
âFond of alcohol.â
âYuehui, does that remind you of anyone?â
A faint smile appeared on his face.
With the reminder, Wang Yuehui immediately thought of someone.
âThe only Deputy Sect Master of the Earthfiend Sect who escaped!â
Su Wangchuan smiled.
According to the testimony of the surviving Earthfiend Sect members at the county office, the Deputy Sect Master Wang Zheng had once been the sectâs former leaderâa veteran First-Rank Martial Artist. After being subdued by the new sect master, he had accepted the position of Deputy Sect Master, overseeing all sect affairs.
That manâŠ
Was indeed a heavy drinker.
Almost every so often, he would carry out a jobâspecifically to seize wine.
Su Wangchuan had always suspected that after the Earthfiend Sect robbed the magistrate of Rong County, the chief clerk, and a clan patriarch, they must have acquired a considerable amount of gold and silver.
Yet he himself had only obtained slightly over five hundred taels of gold.
Clearly, the larger share had been in Wang Zhengâs hands.
If they could capture Wang Zheng, there might be an opportunity to seize a substantial fortune.
With that thought, Su Wangchuanâs excitement rose.
âYuehui!â
âImmediately ask the escort agency where the cargo was lost. Then go to the county office and find Constable Captain Leng Wuya. Tell him I invite him for a drink.â
âYes!â
Wang Yuehui departed at once.
By the time Leng Wuya arrived, Chen Ergou had already arranged wine and dishes.
âHall Master Wangchuan!â
âConstable Captain Leng.â
âSo late at night, and you invite me here. I have prepared some modest food and wine to make amends,â Su Wangchuan said with a smile.
Leng Wuya cupped his fists and laughed.
âHall Master Wangchuan, you flatter me. We have fought side by side as comrades through life and death. After the battle against the Earthfiend Sect, we are brothers. If you call for me, even if I am in Sanhe Commandery, I would rush back immediately.â
âWell said. Sit. Let us eat.â
âI happen to be hungry.â
Ever since witnessing Su Wangchuanâs stratagem that forced back the Earthfiend Sect Masterâand seeing him pursue and kill him aloneâLeng Wuya had regarded Su Wangchuan as an unassailable force in Huishui County, someone absolutely not to offend.
Especially considering Su Wangchuanâs contributions during the flood of refugees attacking the cityâhe had become the Sea-Stabilizing Pillar. In the future, there would be many occasions where cooperation was necessary. Naturally, their conversation flowed smoothly.
âCome!â
âDrink!â
After three rounds of wineâ
Leng Wuya, while picking up food with his chopsticks, casually remarked, âBrother Wangchuan, I heard your Gang Leader was attacked a few days ago. The assailant was a Third-Rank Martial Artist. Coincidentally, in the prefectural capital, the Beggar Sect lost a Branch Master who was also at the Third Rank. The disturbance was quite significant.â
âI have heard. These days are far from peaceful. Look at thisâA Second-Rank Martial Artist attacked in his own territory, the culprit escaping unscathed. Then a Third-Rank Martial Artist reportedly killed in his own territory⊠Even the city is unsafe. Tell me, how is it that security in the prefectural capital resembles that of Heilong Countyâfull of holes and cracks?â
As he spoke, Su Wangchuan raised his cup solemnly and looked directly at Leng Wuya.
âConstable Captain Leng, you and your men are truly dedicated. Tens of thousands of refugees stormed the city. The Earthfiend Sect invaded⊠Yet the county office handled it cleanly and beautifully. Impressive. On behalf of the people of Huishui County, I offer you this toast.â
â⊠â
Leng Wuya lifted his cup, his entire face flushed red.
How was he supposed to respond to that?
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