allonlinenovel Chapter 215
Chapter 215
Wangchuan had no way to refuse the reinforcement Su Wan proposed.
With a Third-Rank Martial Artist whose strength was close to the Fourth Rank standing behind him, what was there to fear?
Yielding one deputy helm leader position was not a major issue.
However, Wangchuan quickly added, “At the Sanjiang Branch Helm, there are two deputy helm leader positions responsible for dock unloading. Those only require First-Rank strength. But the deputy helm leader in charge of shipping and escort duties must be a Second-Rank Martial Artist.”
“Good.”
Su Wan agreed decisively.
“After you secure the helm leader’s position, if someone from the studio breaks through to the Second Rank, we will take the deputy helm leader post overseeing shipping and escort duties. If not… we will settle for one of the dock-unloading deputy positions. That would still be acceptable.”
“Then it is settled.”
Wangchuan nodded and pressed further, “I will lead my team to assume my post tomorrow. When can Captain Bai come?”
“Tonight.”Su Wan spoke as if she had full authority. “Captain Bai will go to your hall to rendezvous with you.”
This was a major matter for the studio. She did not want any mishaps.
“Agreed.”
Wangchuan rose and left without hesitation.
After watching him depart, Su Wan revealed a faint smile. She then picked up the phone on her desk and dialed a number.
Before long, a calm, cool voice came from the other end.
“You have settled things with Su Wangchuan?”
“Captain Bai is wise.”
Su Wan turned slightly toward the city skyline beyond the window, her smile radiant. “He has agreed to reserve a deputy helm leader position for us. To ensure that no one causes trouble at the Sanjiang Branch Helm, I would like Captain Bai to personally go and protect Wangchuan for a period of time.”
“I am currently advancing toward the Fourth Rank.”
Captain Bai sounded somewhat displeased.
Su Wan explained in a half-playful tone, “The Sanjiang Branch Helm has its own training grounds. With you and Wangchuan working together, once you secure the initiative, it will not delay your cultivation… Please. Your cousin is involved in this as well. Consider it protecting your own family.”
“All right, all right. Just this once.”
Bai Jingtang agreed at last.
“Captain Bai is the best.”
After hanging up, Su Wan dialed another number. Her tone turned sharp and resolute.
“The studio’s revenue will increase next month. By the end of the year, we will consider competing for a supreme technique at the capital auction. Gather intelligence and prepare a budget.”
“Yes.”
After the reply came, Su Wan folded her arms and gazed into the distance, her eyes thoughtful.
…
That very evening.
Bai Jingtang arrived as promised.
The entire Land-Clearing Team One assembled at the Huishui County hall.
Chen Ergou had already arranged the finest large ship in Huishui County.
To bolster their presence, Wang Yuehui selected four full-fledged martial artists and thirty-six disciples at the Quasi-Martial Artist level from the inner disciples to accompany them as the foundation for assuming office.
At dawn, when the sky was only just beginning to lighten, Wangchuan led all his men to the dock.
Many disciples from both the inner and outer halls had received word in advance. They were already gathered at the dock plaza, reluctant and heavy-hearted.
Yang Feiyue arrived with Lin Xun, He Haisheng, Fang Kui, and other senior members of the Yulong Gang to see him off.
“Wangchuan!”
“May your journey be smooth!”
“May you ride the wind and break the waves, with a future bright as brocade!”
He Haisheng, Fang Kui, and the others stepped forward to offer congratulations.
After all, the next time they met, he would be a deputy helm leader of the Caobang—perhaps even a helm leader. A true power in his own right.
“Hall Master He! Hall Master Lin! Elder Fang!”
“Everyone!”
“Today we part briefly! In the future, when you have time, come visit the Sanjiang Branch Helm! Wangchuan will personally welcome you!”
Wangchuan cupped his fists in response to each of them.
“Good!”
“We will remember Hall Master Wangchuan’s words. When we have time, we will head to the prefectural government to—”
“That is right!”
“I have heard that the young ladies in the prefectural capital have even fairer skin.”
“Hahaha…”
The rough men of the gang quickly veered off into jest.
The heavy atmosphere eased, and smiles appeared on the faces of the disciples.
At last, Wangchuan came before Yang Feiyue.
“I will never forget the kindness and guidance you have shown me.”
“The Yulong Gang is your family. When you have time, come back and visit. The brothers will always be waiting to drink with you.”
“Certainly!”
Wangchuan cupped his fists, then turned and boarded the ship.
One after another, the men filed aboard.
Standing on the deck, Wangchuan cast one last glance at the familiar faces in the crowd—Qian Sihai, Physician Liao, Song Minshu, He Yuanshan of the Qingfeng Escort Agency, Constable Leng Wuya from the yamen, and many others.
Drawing a deep breath, he shouted, “Cast off!”
The great ship bearing the Yulong Gang’s banner slowly departed the dock.
The crowd waved.
Only when the dock was no longer visible did Wangchuan enter the cabin.
“Captain Bai.”
“Thank you for your help this time.”
“It is nothing.”
Bai Jingtang was dressed in black today, wearing a conical hat, exuding the aura of a mysterious Jianghu figure.
He took out a bundle and pushed it toward Wangchuan.
“The Second- and Third-Rank martial arts manuals I promised you. I am delivering them all at once today.”
“Many thanks, Captain Bai.”
Wangchuan smiled.
Under the envious and heated gazes of the others, he kept two Third-Rank manuals for himself and handed the rest to Chen Ergou, Zhao Heiniu, and the others.
One by one, the manuals turned into data and vanished.
No one found it strange.
Martial arts manuals were too precious. Carrying them on one’s person was inconvenient and could invite fatal disaster. Once absorbed, no one could take them away.
“We are heading upstream to the Sanjiang Branch Helm. It will take about one and a half hours. You may rest for now.”
The others nodded in tacit understanding, sitting down to cultivate as needed.
Wangchuan also carefully examined the two new Third-Rank manuals he had acquired.
One was 《Po Jun Twelve Spear》, a strength-oriented spear technique.
The other was 《Water Strider》, a lightness movement technique.
A smile appeared on his face.
Both were exactly what he needed.
For once, the studio had proven reliable.
Zhao Heiniu showed keen interest in 《Five-Finger Rapid Shot》. Since his realm in Basic Archery was already high, he quickly grasped the introductory stage and moved to the bow of the ship to shoot fish. As fish surfaced one after another with arrows lodged in them, disciples even retrieved the arrows for him.
Wangchuan and Wang Yuehui were accustomed to such scenes.
The four members of Land-Clearing Team One, however, stared in astonishment.
Such extravagance?
Did arrows not cost money?
And what kind of man, when assuming office, would stock thousands of arrows in the cabin?
Good heavens…
There were even Armor-Piercing Arrows!
They did not know.
For this appointment, Wangchuan had spared no expense.
He had not only secretly stored a batch of bows and Armor-Piercing Arrows in the cabin in advance, but also concealed more than twenty Hundredfold Steel sabers—
All taken from the weapon room’s treasury.
On his person, he carried more than fifteen hundred taels in gold notes seized from the former sect master Wang Zheng of the Earthfiend Sect, five hundred taels awarded by Lord Seven, and one thousand taels accumulated from the hall.
Now he had men, he had money, and he had weapons.
Sanjiang Branch Helm—
It must be taken.