Chapter 230

Warring States Building, 75th Floor.

The Human Resources office was bright and spacious. Seated before Su Wan were two men.

On her left sat Monk Dalong.

On her right sat Old Qiu, Qiu Zisheng.

They had both come for the position of Deputy Helm Leader of the Sanjiang Branch Helm of Caobang.

Strictly speaking, they were competitors.

As a monk, Dalong had originally held little regard for the identity of a Caobang disciple. He felt that joining a gang ran counter to his monastic persona and principles. He had never considered affiliating himself with one.

However, after Su Wangchuan joined the gang, his development had been so rapid that all members of the Land-Clearing Team envied him. He had advanced from a Quasi-Martial Artist to a Second-Rank Martial Artist in a short span of time. Only then did Dalong begin to realize the benefits of joining a gang. Setting aside his prejudice, he decided to compete for the position.

Qiu Zisheng had just broken through to the Second Rank a few days ago.

As a veteran member of Land-Clearing Team One, and having followed Su Wangchuan at the Sanjiang Branch Helm for a period of time, he had gained a deep understanding of the branch helm. He knew exactly how profitable the position was—bringing in gold daily—and how greatly it would aid future martial cultivation and breakthroughs. Naturally, he was unwilling to concede.

“Dalong!”

“You were the one who looked down on this position before. And now you want to jump in and snatch the fruit from Land-Clearing Team One? That is inappropriate, is it not?”

Old Qiu, now the de facto captain of Land-Clearing Team One, spoke sharply, his edge unmistakable.

“What is inappropriate about it?”

Dalong, though outwardly blunt, was sharp in response.

“You protected Su Wangchuan as a business arrangement. He paid for protection. You conduct your business, and I compete for my position. They are unrelated matters. We do not interfere with each other.”

“Bullshit!”

“We had an agreement! The Deputy Helm Leader position of the Sanjiang Branch Helm would go to us. It benefits the overall strength of Land-Clearing Team One—that was why we accepted the mission in the first place!”

Old Qiu sprang to his feet.

Dalong’s eyes widened. “Lin Xun has already joined your team. You secured the Huishui County hall position. And now you are still not satisfied? Should it not be our turn for the Deputy Helm Leader position? You cannot nurture only Team One and neglect Team Two entirely!”

Su Wan listened from the side, her head beginning to ache.

“Supervisor Su, please judge fairly!”

“How should this be handled?”

Unable to settle the matter between themselves, they finally turned to Su Wan.

She wore an expression of helpless innocence.

“Why are you two in such a hurry? Su Wangchuan has not even been formally established yet, and you are already fighting like this. What is the point?”

Old Qiu snorted. “He has already been acting Helm Leader for half a month. In just a few more days, it will be official. Old Seven always keeps his word. The position of Helm Leader of the Sanjiang Branch Helm will definitely be his. No one can take it away.”

“That is correct. I have also made inquiries. No one can seize that position from him now,” Dalong added, sounding well-prepared.

Su Wan leaned forward slightly, glancing at both men.

“I have here the latest risk assessment report regarding the Sanjiang Branch Helm. Would you like to take a look?”

Both men froze.

“Risk assessment report?”

“Yes.”

Su Wan leaned back in her chair.

“In recent days, we specifically contacted several southern studios to gather intelligence on Crimson Pavilion. We have collected detailed information about them.”

Dalong and Old Qiu exchanged glances and slowly sat back down.

They knew Su Wan did not speak without purpose. If she had produced a risk assessment report, it was not without reason.

She continued:

“Crimson Pavilion was originally a sect located on an overseas island along the coast. Due to poor management, it transformed into an assassin organization. Since then, it has thrived.”

“Crimson Pavilion has four assassin tiers. The lowest tier consists of ordinary assassins—Third-Rank Martial Artists—like the one who attacked Caobang and died at Captain Bai’s hands.”

Dalong and Old Qiu’s expressions grew solemn.

Su Wan continued calmly.

“Above them are Bronze-Ranked assassins, with Fourth-Rank strength. Then Silver-Ranked assassins, at the Fifth Rank. Then Gold-Ranked assassins, at the Sixth Rank. And finally, the mysterious Pavilion Master of Crimson Pavilion—rumored to possess cultivation beyond the Sixth Rank. Whether that means the Seventh or Eighth Rank is unknown.”

Silence fell heavy.

“Moreover,” she added, “Crimson Pavilion’s policy is relentless pursuit. If a mission fails, they immediately dispatch an assassin one tier higher to carry it out.”

The color drained from both men’s faces.

“You mean Crimson Pavilion will return?” Old Qiu asked.

“Not merely return,” Su Wan corrected. “Each wave will be more ferocious than the last. And it will undoubtedly descend upon the Sanjiang Branch Helm.”

Her tone sharpened, fingers tapping lightly against the table.

“The imperial envoy was attacked. After returning to the capital, he moved into a heavily guarded residence. Yet just yesterday, he was found dead inside that very residence.”

The two men’s expressions turned grim.

Su Wan dropped another revelation.

“Crimson Pavilion also has another habit—they eliminate anyone who obstructs their missions. Including those who kill their assassins.”

Old Qiu blurted out instinctively, “Caobang—Old Seven!”

Su Wan shook her head.

“Strictly speaking, it is Hall Master Yin.”

Understanding dawned instantly.

The one who had guarded the imperial envoy had been Yin Xingtian of Caobang.

Whether Old Seven or the other Caobang elites, they had acted under Yin Xingtian’s command.

Crimson Pavilion targeted leaders. They did not waste effort on small fry.

“But…”

“Why assassinate branch helm leaders?” Old Qiu asked, puzzled.

Su Wan spread her hands.

“My deduction is this: Caobang’s intelligence network spans the Jianghu. They likely already learned of Crimson Pavilion’s involvement. So Yin Xingtian went into hiding.”

“As for Old Seven—he handles dirty work himself. He acts cautiously and remains inside the hall. He is difficult to assassinate.”

“Therefore, we suspect Crimson Pavilion is assassinating branch helm leaders to force Old Seven out of the hall—to force Yin Xingtian to show himself.”

Her explanation carried weight.

Seeing Dalong and Old Qiu fall silent, Su Wan placed both hands on the table, her gaze turning cold.

“And now comes the problem.”

“A Crimson Pavilion assassin died at the Sanjiang Branch Helm. When Crimson Pavilion seeks revenge, will they target the Sanjiang Branch Helm—or Captain Bai?”

The two men inhaled sharply.

Su Wan continued steadily.

“No matter who becomes the next target, the Sanjiang Branch Helm is extremely dangerous right now. On the day Su Wangchuan is formally appointed, Captain Bai and Land-Clearing Team One must leave entirely—leave Sanhe Commandery if necessary. Warring States Game Studio cannot afford casualties among Team One.”

Old Qiu stammered, “Then what about the Deputy Helm Leader position?”

“If Dalong wants it, let him take it. Dalong, will you?”

She turned to him.

Dalong immediately shook his head vigorously.

“Amitabha. I prefer quieter places.”

“What about Su Wangchuan?” Dalong asked quietly.

Su Wan leaned back in her chair, swaying slightly. After a long pause, she spoke softly.

“He cannot leave. He is someone Old Seven has taken a liking to. There is nowhere for him to go.”

“He can only be nailed to that position.”