Chapter 227

The three corpses were covered with white cloth and laid out in the front courtyard.

Su Wangchuan sat in the main hall, his brows tightly knit.

What had been meant to be a welcoming banquet had turned into the final meal of two Deputy Helm Leaders.

Ill-omened.

Bai Jingtang had already led her team away at the first opportunity. After all, this was Caobang’s internal affair and had nothing to do with her. Yet the encounter had filled her with urgency—she had to break through to the Fourth Rank as soon as possible.

“Helm Leader.”

Chen Ergou approached and reported, “We have searched the assassin’s body thoroughly. Aside from some scattered silver, a flexible sword, and these hidden weapons, there was nothing else. We could not find any identity token.”

“The brothers have already gone to question the owner of Drunken Immortal Restaurant… The waiter originally assigned was not this man. The real waiter’s body was found hidden in the restaurant’s cellar.”

“…”

Su Wangchuan’s brow tightened.

The assassin had acted decisively and with extreme professionalism. He was very likely from the ‘Crimson Pavilion’ mentioned by Old Seven.

“And one more thing, Helm Leader.”

“On the two Deputy Helm Leaders, we found some banknotes.”

Chen Ergou had searched the bodies carefully and had not overlooked the two Deputy Helm Leaders.

“When their families arrive, give the money to them,” Su Wangchuan instructed.

Chen Ergou nodded. “Yes.”

Sanjiang Town was not far from the prefectural seat. The carrier pigeon message quickly reached Old Seven.

Soon after, a group of men traveled downstream and arrived at the Sanjiang Branch Helm.

Two Second-Rank Martial Artists led the team, all dressed in Caobang attire. Without needing to announce themselves, they walked straight in.

As soon as they passed through the gate, they saw the three corpses covered in white cloth.

The group slowed their steps instinctively, casting a glance, then looked toward Su Wangchuan seated upright in the main hall, with a cluster of martial artists guarding the entrance on both sides.

“Helm Leader Su!”

“We have come under Old Seven’s orders to retrieve the assassin’s body.”

They stopped at the doorway and cupped their fists to explain their purpose.

Su Wangchuan rose and stepped outside. “Did Old Seven send any message?”

Before the words had fully fallen, one of the Second-Rank Martial Artists stepped forward. “Old Seven says the Sanjiang Branch Helm’s Helm Leader is both wise and decisive. You captured the assassin and avenged the two Deputy Helm Leaders. You are worthy of commendation.”

Lowering his voice, he added, “This is the reward granted by Old Seven. How you choose to use it is up to Helm Leader Su.”

Su Wangchuan received two hundred taels of gold. He nodded, then calmly slipped a banknote into the man’s hand.

“My thanks to Old Seven.”

“May I ask your name, brother, and your position within the gang?”

“Cui Mingjue.”

The man smoothly pocketed the banknote, his smile growing much warmer as he cupped his fists. “I am fortunate to run errands under Old Seven.”

“So it is Brother Cui. Forgive my earlier ignorance.”

The moment Su Wangchuan understood that this man served directly under Old Seven, his tone grew more courteous. “You have traveled far. Please stay and have some food and wine…”

“No need, Helm Leader Su. We are here on orders and must return immediately to report. When there is time, we will certainly visit properly.”

Cui Mingjue did not dare delay Old Seven’s command.

“Very well. I shall not detain you.”

Su Wangchuan cupped his fists and watched as they carried away the assassin’s corpse and boarded the same boat they had arrived in.

Not long after, the families of the two Deputy Helm Leaders arrived.

Su Wangchuan had Chen Ergou hand over twenty taels of gold as pension compensation to the families. The branch helm’s disciples helped escort the bodies back. He also awarded five taels of silver each to those who had participated in the siege against the assassin.

“Inform all the brothers to come in for a meeting.”

He gave the order to Chen Ergou.

The meeting naturally included the core team he had brought over from Yulong Gang.

After recounting how Crimson Pavilion assassins had struck down the Helm Leader of the Leishui Branch Helm, he analyzed the current situation of the branch helm for them.

“Yesterday, it was Helm Leader Yan Jiang of Leishui Town. Today, it was immediately our turn—the Sanjiang Branch Helm. My turn…”

Su Wangchuan’s expression was cold.

“If nothing unexpected happens, Caobang’s hall in Sanhe Commandery has already been targeted by an assassin organization.”

“If Captain Bai had not happened to be present today to protect me, given the assassin’s Third-Rank killing ability, I would likely have followed the two Deputy Helm Leaders to their graves.”

“… ”

Chen Ergou, Zhao Heiniu, Wang Yuehui, Bai Yuhui, Hong Kaibao, and the forty others all wore grave expressions.

During this period, they had believed they had thoroughly penetrated every corner of the branch helm and secured full control. Yet before a true expert, they had proven utterly vulnerable.

If their Helm Leader died, every one of them would lose their foothold in the Sanjiang Branch Helm.

Su Wangchuan swept his gaze across them and ordered, “Crimson Pavilion’s assassination campaign may not stop here.”

“We must prepare for another attack.”

“From this moment on, every brother at the level of Quasi-Martial Artist must break through to become a full Martial Artist within one month.”

“Those who are already Martial Artists must break through to First Rank.”

“You five must prepare to charge toward Second Rank.”

“In short, our Sanjiang Branch Helm will never allow another assassin to infiltrate!”

“Yes!”

Chen Ergou was the first to step forward. “From now on, every person entering the branch helm will be strictly vetted. No one carrying concealed weapons will be allowed to slip inside.”

“Agreed.”

Wang Yuehui nodded forcefully. “Starting today, all of us will take turns handling branch helm security. No suspicious individual will be allowed entry.”

This day was destined to be anything but peaceful.

Chen Ergou, Wang Yuehui, and the others began reorganizing the branch helm’s security patrols, doubling the number of guards on watch.

Su Wangchuan returned to his courtyard residence and continued cultivating the 《Xuanwu Art》.

Yet having been targeted by a Third-Rank Martial Artist today—and watching the two Deputy Helm Leaders slaughtered like chickens and dogs before his eyes—he could not calm his heart for a long time.

He thought of many things.

He had spent months in Yulong Gang before encountering a single Third-Rank Snake Elder.

Yet after coming to the Sanjiang Branch Helm for only a few short days, he had already faced assassination by a Third-Rank Martial Artist. The assassin’s strength had even faintly suppressed Bai Jingtang. He was certainly stronger than the Snake Elder.

The deeper one ventured into the Jianghu, the more dangerous it became.

He could not help wondering whether leaving Yulong Gang for Caobang had been a wise decision—or a disastrous misstep.

After more than an hour, he still could not focus on guiding his internal breath.

No matter how much he tried to steady himself, the images of the two Deputy Helm Leaders dying helplessly kept resurfacing in his mind. So too did the humiliation of being forced to abandon his weapon in a single exchange.

The oppressive sharpness of the assassin’s sword-light still lingered vividly in his memory, filling him with the bone-chilling sense of standing at the gates of death.

A Second-Rank Martial Artist…

Far too dangerous.

Even after more time passed, he still could not quiet his thoughts.

With a sigh, he simply logged off the game.

He needed a walk.

Su Wangchuan opened his door and, inside the elevator, selected the gym on the seventy-fourth floor.

There was a swimming pool in the gym.

With no one around, he jumped straight in.

The water was cold—not temperature-controlled. The shock of it ran from his scalp to his armpits, raising goosebumps all over his body.

At last, his chaotic thoughts eased slightly.

He finally calmed down.

Then he might as well cultivate here.

Su Wangchuan gradually found a faint rhythm. Silently, he circulated the 《Xuanwu Art》. His body slowly floated upward, steady and balanced upon the water’s surface, his head remaining above it.