Chapter 212

Caobang, Sanhe Commandery Hall.

Entering this imposing and awe-inspiring hall once again, Wangchuan’s state of mind was noticeably calmer than before.

Yang Feiyue strode ahead with long steps, a smile plastered across his face.

In the courtyard where Hall Master Yin had once wielded his brush with bold strokes, they saw “Lord Seven” seated in a pavilion, idly playing with an exquisitely crafted crossbow.

“Yang Feiyue of the Yulong Gang greets Lord Seven!”

“Wangchuan greets Lord Seven!”

The two stepped forward and saluted respectfully.

“You have arrived?”

Lord Seven set the delicate crossbow down on the stone table and rose to his full height. Stepping out of the pavilion, he came before them, his gaze sweeping over the pair. He forced out a stiff, almost cracking smile.

“One old fox and one little fox. Tell me, how should I deal with you?”

At this moment, Lord Seven’s aura was anything but weak. The image of him holding aloft the severed head of a Fifth-Rank Martial Artist flashed through their minds, and a chill seemed to seep into their bones.

Yang Feiyue and Wangchuan exchanged a glance, their eyes trembling slightly.

“Th-this subordinate does not understand Lord Seven’s meaning,” Yang Feiyue said, his voice faintly shaking.

“Hmph! The day we captured and killed the assassin, the two of you jumped into the river quite decisively...” Lord Seven’s features were ordinary, but his eyes were truly cold—cold enough to make one’s heart shiver.

“This subordinate knows his fault! Please, Lord Seven, punish me!”

Yang Feiyue trembled and was about to drop to his knees when Lord Seven reached out and pulled him up.

“Hahaha... that is enough.”

“I am only joking with you.”

“If you had not poisoned the assassin that day, the position of hall master of the Sanhe Commandery hall might have fallen to someone else...”

Lord Seven lifted Yang Feiyue to his feet, his tone shifting. The atmosphere in the entire courtyard thawed at once, easing considerably.

Yang Feiyue and Wangchuan both let out a breath of relief.

“Before the hall master left, he specifically instructed that merit be rewarded and faults be punished. You two have rendered merit. One thousand taels of gold each, and one Third-Rank martial arts manual per person. Later, you may go to the armory and obtain a copied manual yourselves.”

At these words, both men’s eyes lit up. They cupped their fists in gratitude.

“Many thanks, Lord Seven!”

“Many thanks for Lord Seven’s reward!”

Wangchuan was naturally overjoyed.

He had not expected the Caobang to be so generous—directly rewarding them with Third-Rank martial arts manuals.

As expected of the number one gang along the waterways.

Magnificent!

Yang Feiyue stepped forward to receive the gold notes from Lord Seven. He kept one five-hundred-tael note for himself and handed the other five-hundred-tael gold note to Wangchuan.

Wangchuan carefully put away the gold note.

Yang Feiyue then took the initiative to ask, “Lord Seven, this subordinate has heard that there are still several vacant positions in our Sanhe Commandery hall. Might Wangchuan have the opportunity to join the Caobang and serve under Lord Seven?”

Wangchuan had the sudden urge to reward him with a chicken drumstick.

Lord Seven’s gaze fell upon Wangchuan, who lowered his eyes, composed himself, and remained calm.

“Wangchuan is indeed a talent. He has managed the Huishui County hall well—brave and resourceful, daring to step forward at critical moments. When the hall master was still in office, he said that Wangchuan could remain in the hall to be nurtured properly... During the assassin incident, Wangchuan’s snake venom was extremely subtle and crucial.”

Lord Seven was indeed quite satisfied with Wangchuan.

Among the many Second-Rank Martial Artists in the hall, only Wangchuan had managed to injure the Fifth-Rank assassin and weaken him.

“There are indeed three vacant positions at present...”

“The Sanjiang Branch Helm, which oversees the Sanhe River waterway, lacks a helm leader. The Leishui Branch Helm, which oversees the Leishui waterway, also lacks a helm leader. Lastly, there is the position of island master on White Egret Island. Wangchuan, what do you know about these three positions?”

Lord Seven asked.

Wangchuan’s eyes brightened. He cupped his fists and replied, “Reporting to Lord Seven!”

“This subordinate knows that the Sanjiang Branch Helm is located in Hejiang Town outside the city. It is responsible for a section of the Sanhe River within Sanhe Commandery. The shipping business there is busy. The branch helm commands over two hundred disciples and nearly a thousand able-bodied laborers. Not only does it handle east–west shipping and security along the entire waterway, it also bears the task of coordinating with the various dock halls within the prefectural government.”

“Mm.” Lord Seven nodded slowly.

Wangchuan continued, “The Leishui Branch Helm is located in Leishui Town. It oversees the north–south waterway, handling shipping from the coast toward the capital. The waterway is broad, and the business is equally vital—at times even busier than the Sanhe River route. Thus, it also commands more than two hundred branch helm disciples and nearly a thousand laborers.”

“As for White Egret Island... since it does not belong to a dock hall, this subordinate’s understanding is limited.”

Although Wangchuan would very much like to go to White Egret Island and develop it slowly through farming, strictly speaking, opportunities there were scarce and growth would be much slower.

“Not bad.”

Lord Seven nodded again. “The fact that you took the initiative to understand the general situation of these two branch helms in advance shows that you are thoughtful.”

“However, many are competing for the positions of helm leader at these two branch helms. Among them are seasoned elites who have remained at the Second Rank for many years, as well as deputy helm leaders who are highly proficient in shipping affairs. As a newcomer, do you have the ability to suppress an entire branch helm and win the wholehearted obedience of all under it?”

Because the competition for branch helm leader was indeed fierce, Lord Seven had originally intended to arrange for Wangchuan to serve as island master on White Egret Island. However, Wangchuan’s intentions were also obvious.

He was the hall master of the Yulong Gang’s Huishui County hall and was most familiar with waterway shipping affairs. Sending him to White Egret Island did seem somewhat mismatched.

Thus, Lord Seven decided to give him a chance to defend himself.

You want to serve as helm leader?

Very well.

Convince me.

Wangchuan naturally understood the meaning behind Lord Seven’s words. He cupped his fists once more.

“Reporting to Lord Seven!”

“As the hall master of the Yulong Gang’s Huishui County hall, this subordinate is thoroughly familiar with shipping affairs. At the same time, shipping faces challenges from all sides. It so happens that this subordinate has experience confronting the Nu Tao Gang, Blackwind Stronghold, Qingzhu Gang, Qingyi Sect, and Five Poison Sect. I have never suffered losses in those encounters. On the contrary, the hall’s strength and business have only grown stronger and more prosperous.”

“This subordinate believes that for a Caobang branch helm, the most important thing is still to have a Sea-Stabilizing Pillar who can steady hearts, control the situation, ensure that the branch helm’s business operates smoothly, and prevent it from dragging down the main hall. That is what matters most.”

“...”

Lord Seven’s eyes lit up.

Even Yang Feiyue could not help pressing down the corners of his slightly upturned lips, deeply satisfied with Wangchuan’s answer.

The Caobang had recently suffered significant losses, and the Sea-Stabilizing Pillar—Hall Master Yin—had gone to the capital. For Lord Seven, stabilizing hearts and steadying business were of paramount importance.

Wangchuan’s words had struck directly at the core of Lord Seven’s concerns.

“And furthermore,” Wangchuan continued, “if someone else is appointed helm leader, there may be resentment among them, leading to internal sabotage.”

“This subordinate has the record of killing the Five Poison Sect’s Third-Rank Martial Artist Snake Elder, and of capturing Qingyi Sect’s sect master Feng Shaoguang alive. Among the Second-Rank Martial Artists competing for the helm leader position, this should be considered a rather outstanding record—enough to convince the masses.”