novelraw Chapter 100
Chapter 100
Among the bandits of Blackwind Stronghold, more than forty were already wanted for murder. They were shackled at the city gate and sent directly to the grand prison. If nothing unexpected happened, they would be executed.
The remaining three hundred or so bandits and their families were branded and reduced to penal labor. Only after three years would their slave status be lifted, though they would remain socially inferior for life.
Through the efforts of Gang Leader Yang Feiyue, those without murder charges were approved to be transferred to the Yulong Gang’s main hall—specifically the mining area near the water stronghold—to dig coal and work the mines.
Then came the ceremony of rewards.
As the principal leaders of the operation, Hall Master He, Hall Master Song, Lin Xun, Fang Kui, Su Wangchuan, and Qin Ming were summoned to meet the County Magistrate.
The magistrate distributed rewards one by one according to merit.
“Hall Master He, Wangchuan—you two jointly killed Zhao Jinhu, the First Leader of Blackwind Stronghold. You have eliminated a great menace to the people. On behalf of the citizens of Huishui County, I thank you both. Here are ten taels of gold—the bounty on Zhao Jinhu. Take it.”
He Haisheng and Su Wangchuan clasped their fists in thanks.
“Many thanks, Your Excellency!”
“Many thanks, Your Excellency!”Su Wangchuan received five bright gold ingots and beamed.
Then came the bounty for the Second Leader.
“Elder Fang, Elder Lin, Wangchuan—you three jointly killed Huang Zhihai, the Second Leader of Blackwind Stronghold. Again, on behalf of the people of Huishui County, I thank you. Here are nine taels of gold, his bounty. Take them.”
The three expressed their gratitude.
The magistrate called Su Wangchuan’s name a second time and could not help glancing at him again.
“Helm Leader Wangchuan is truly promising for his age.”
Then he looked at the record for the Third Leader’s bounty and showed surprise.
“Helm Leader Wangchuan, you rode dozens of li to reinforce Blackstone Village and killed the Third Leader of Blackwind Stronghold. Impressive. I did not expect that the deaths of all three leaders would bear your contribution. Well done. Here are eight taels of gold, his bounty. Take it.”
“Thank you, Your Excellency.”
Su Wangchuan received a total of sixteen taels of gold in bounties, and inwardly he was elated.
He knew this was not the end.
Those were only the bounties for the three leaders. There were also rewards for the minor leaders—at least another four taels of gold in total.
Combined with the more than five hundred taels of silver looted along the way, that meant he had earned roughly two thousand five hundred taels of silver in a single day.
He had struck it rich.
Sure enough—
A constable from the county office soon delivered the additional bounties for the other minor leaders: four taels of gold.
Among the Yulong Gang’s upper ranks, Su Wangchuan alone claimed twenty taels of gold, instantly becoming the center of discussion.
“That young man looks unfamiliar.”
Voices buzzed in the crowd.
“I have never seen him before.”
“I heard he is one of Yulong Gang’s helm leaders, currently in charge of the dock branch.”
“Wow. Would that not mean he commands over a hundred men?”
“That is nothing.”
Among the crowd, outer disciples and dock laborers of the Yulong Gang wore proud expressions.
“Our Helm Leader Wangchuan is also the Master of the Weapon Room. Dozens of men work under him forging weapons.”
“Not long ago, when remnants of Nu Tao Gang attacked the water stronghold, two Martial Artists and four Quasi-Martial Artists died at our helm leader’s hands.”
“Oh?”
“So formidable?”
“At such a young age and already a full Martial Artist—his future is limitless.”
With the deliberate promotion by the outer disciples, Su Wangchuan’s name quickly spread throughout Huishui County.
After the county office ceremony concluded, Su Wangchuan and the others returned to the Yulong Gang’s dock headquarters.
Yang Feiyue personally arranged an internal celebration banquet.
Food and wine from the renowned Baocui Pavilion filled the dock hall. Hundreds attended.
Every outer disciple received a red envelope. They feasted and drank heartily, shouting and laughing as they played drinking games.
Five tables were arranged in the inner hall.
Yang Feiyue personally toasted every participant in the operation.
When the wine flowed freely and spirits were high, a chest was brought out.
Nearly every inner disciple had been wounded in the battle. Each received fifty taels of silver.
They erupted in excitement.
Then it was the turn of the six full Martial Artists—He Haisheng, Song Minshu, Lin Xun, Fang Kui, Qin Ming, and Su Wangchuan.
Yang Feiyue awarded each ten taels of gold.
Su Wangchuan inwardly clicked his tongue.
His earnings for the day were nearing forty taels of gold.
Converted into bonuses…
Ten million?
The thought made his head swim slightly, but he rose with the others to toast Gang Leader Yang.
Yang Feiyue was in excellent spirits, drinking every cup offered to him in one gulp, bold and unrestrained.
“Hahaha!”
“With you six guarding our two halls, the Yulong Gang will flourish!”
“And another piece of good news! Besides the gold and silver, we discovered three Second-Rank martial arts and seven First-Rank martial arts in Blackwind Stronghold!”
“With these manuals, I have hope of breaking through to Second Rank. And so do you! All martial arts will be free for you six. First-Rank martial arts will be offered to inner disciples at half the market price!”
Su Wangchuan’s heart trembled.
Yang Feiyue truly knew what he was doing.
This move would elevate the Yulong Gang to a higher tier. In the future, more First-Rank and even Second-Rank Martial Artists would inevitably emerge.
A roar rose in unison as all inner disciples stood.
“Thank you, Gang Leader!”
“Thank you, Gang Leader!”
“Thank you, Gang Leader!”
He Haisheng, Lin Xun, and the others were visibly excited, leading further toasts as the atmosphere grew even more fervent.
Su Wangchuan did not dare drink too much.
He was a fat lamb now, carrying dozens of taels of gold.
After enduring the banquet to its end, the crowd gradually dispersed. Outer disciples began cleaning up the dock.
Su Wangchuan returned to the Weapon Room.
Those who had not participated in the operation felt both envy and disappointment, but under Chen Ergou’s supervision, the Weapon Room remained lively.
Su Wangchuan waved his hand grandly.
“Today is a joyous occasion for the gang. The Weapon Room will not be left out. Three hundred copper coins for each of you. Ergou, distribute them.”
He tossed a ten-tael silver ingot to Chen Ergou.
“Thank you, Master!”
“Thank you, Helm Leader!”
The Weapon Room assistants beamed.
The three player newcomers stared with envy.
“Brother Wangchuan is so impressive.”
“Sixteen people—that is several taels of silver.”
Chen Ergou made a full round and then approached them as well, handing each a reward.
They were stunned.
“We have a share too?”
“What, are you not part of the Weapon Room?” Chen Ergou looked baffled and walked away after handing out the coins.
“Master, this is what remains.”
Chen Ergou returned to Su Wangchuan.
Su Wangchuan did not reach for it.
“You keep it. You have been managing the Weapon Room’s daily affairs for me. Consider this a reward from your Master.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Chen Ergou was overjoyed.
He had been saving money to purchase a saber manual.
Su Wangchuan smiled knowingly.
“The Gang Leader has announced it—gang martial manuals will be sold to inner disciples at half price. Go buy your saber technique tomorrow morning.”
“Ah! That is wonderful!”
Chen Ergou’s grin nearly split his face.
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