novelraw Chapter 113
Chapter 113
With Yang Feiyue’s arrival and the reinforcements at his back, the Qingyi Sect members decisively threw down their weapons and surrendered.
Only at this moment did they finally understand—the Yulong Gang had been prepared from the very beginning, spreading open a sack and setting a trap, waiting for them to walk straight into it.
In a single battle, they had lost two first-rank martial artists. Four formal martial artists had been captured. Of the more than thirty quasi-martial artists, half were dead or wounded, and the rest were all taken prisoner.
When the wind stilled and the rain ceased, Yang Feiyue ordered that all Qingyi Sect captives and corpses be loaded onto cargo ships and sent overnight to the water stronghold.
Before that, Su Wangchuan had already searched the bodies of the first-rank swordsman and the masked first-rank saber-wielder.
He was deeply annoyed.
Aside from their weapons and a single chest guard plate, there was nothing else on them.
When carrying out a mission, they had not brought so much as a single Copper Piece.
Just as he was brooding over this, Gang Leader Yang Feiyue approached with Song Minshu, smiling broadly.
“Wangchuan.”“Gang Leader.”
Su Wangchuan bowed respectfully.
“Hahaha…”
Yang Feiyue laughed heartily, clapping him warmly on the shoulder.
“I did not expect you to be even more capable than we imagined. Not only did you hold them off, you also killed two first-rank hall masters of the Qingyi Sect. Do you know who those two were? They were the most formidable hall masters of the Qingyi Sect—one famous for his ferocious saber techniques, the other renowned for his swift sword and nimble footwork.”
Su Wangchuan lowered his head slightly.
“The enemy was slain only because the brothers of the gang risked their lives to entangle them, giving this subordinate the chance to fire a cold arrow…”
“Look at you.”
Yang Feiyue pointed at him, then turned to Song Minshu. “There he goes again. Being modest is a virtue, but you killed Quick Sword ‘Zhao Changhong’ in full view of everyone. Whether you like it or not, you are going to become famous.”
Su Wangchuan felt a faint chill and quickly asked,
“Gang Leader, if the Qingyi Sect learns that those two died at my hands, will they come seeking revenge?”
He truly feared death.
Yang Feiyue waved a hand and laughed.
“Hahaha… just keep your heart where it belongs. The Qingyi Sect can barely protect itself right now. Do you think they have the time to trouble you?”
Su Wangchuan was taken aback.
Song Minshu smiled and explained,
“Between gangs, there may be shadow struggles, but nothing can be brought openly onto the stage. This time, the Qingyi Sect went too far and left behind evidence. If they do not bleed heavily to make amends, they will not get past this hurdle.”
Seeing that Su Wangchuan still looked only half enlightened, Yang Feiyue patiently elaborated,
“The Qingyi Sect is not like our Yulong Gang. They are a branch under the Beggars’ Sect—a Jianghu faction. For a Jianghu sect to openly wield blades in a county seat and attack the Yulong Gang’s shipping hall is a slap in the face to the authorities, a slap in the face to the Caobang. Even if the Beggars’ Sect is the largest Jianghu faction, they will not openly shield such behavior.”
“Just watch.”
“If the Qingyi Sect cannot quell our anger and the anger of the authorities, then they can wait to be struck from the Beggars’ Sect’s roster and surrounded and exterminated by the officials.”
At last, Su Wangchuan understood.
So that was the case.
Yang Feiyue continued with a smile,
“In fact, the Qingyi Sect has likely already sent a carrier pigeon message to their sect master reporting the failed operation. If that sect master is sensible, he will send someone overnight with a sky-high ransom to redeem both captives and corpses.”
“You intend to hand the people back to the Qingyi Sect?” Su Wangchuan asked, startled and puzzled.
“If the Qingyi Sect is destroyed, it brings no benefit to the Yulong Gang. On the contrary, we would offend the Beggars’ Sect by being too hard. The Yulong Gang has small arms and thin legs—we need not invite trouble for ourselves.”
Yang Feiyue’s gaze was deep and calculating.
“If we let the Qingyi Sect pay to redeem their people, we turn a major matter into a minor one. Not only do we sell a favor to the Beggars’ Sect and preserve goodwill, we can continue doing business. The Qingyi Sect will also be weakened by this loss and will hardly pose a threat to us again.”
It had to be said—Yang Feiyue saw far ahead.
Su Wangchuan nodded in sudden clarity.
“Gang Leader, you are wise.”
No wonder the Yulong Gang had risen above all others in Huishui County to become its most powerful force. Yang Feiyue truly had a sharp mind and knew how to calculate. He deserved the reputation of being seasoned and shrewd.
Yang Feiyue smiled, giving his shoulder another firm pat, his face full of appreciation.
“Rest assured. In this encirclement operation, you take the foremost merit. When the Qingyi Sect’s sky-high ransom comes in, there will be a share for you. Just wait for good news from me.”
“Many thanks, Gang Leader.”
Su Wangchuan cupped his fists in thanks, then could not resist adding,
“Could the Gang Leader also strive to obtain some second-rank martial art manuals from the Qingyi Sect? It would help us strengthen our armory’s foundation.”
“We will.”
Yang Feiyue replied confidently,
“In this negotiation, if the Qingyi Sect does not empty out their family coffers to feed both us and the Huishui County yamen, we will not let them off.”
“Also.”
“The compensation for the dock hall brothers who were killed or wounded must be handled properly—pensions, medical care, and consolation.”
“At the same time, prepare to replenish manpower.”
After giving several more instructions to Song Minshu, Yang Feiyue departed by boat with the remaining men.
Song Minshu and Su Wangchuan stood at the dock, seeing him off.
Song Minshu clasped his fists to Su Wangchuan.
“Brother Wangchuan, I put you in danger this time. That is my fault as an elder brother. Allow me to apologize.”
He then explained truthfully what had transpired between him and Constable Wu after their earlier conversation.
It turned out that Song Minshu had long suspected that the Qingyi Sect would act that night. He had deliberately accepted Constable Wu’s invitation to Laifeng Pavilion, leaving Su Wangchuan to hold the hall alone, baiting the Qingyi Sect into making their move.
Secretly, Song Minshu had dispatched a fast boat to notify Yang Feiyue, who disguised cargo ships near the dock and laid a dragnet.
On the county office’s side, Constable Wu had informed the yamen to lie in ambush nearby.
Among all this, the one facing the greatest risk was Su Wangchuan.
Because he was the bait—
Along with every Inner Disciple in the hall.
Yet Song Minshu had a measure of confidence in him.
The enemy did not know that Su Wangchuan had already advanced to first-rank martial artist, cultivated second-rank martial arts, and—most importantly—would be on high alert that night.
Su Wangchuan smiled faintly and returned the salute.
“Hall Master, you overstate it. I understand—everything was to lure the Qingyi Sect into the trap. Besides, I am unharmed, and I even secured two heads and the foremost merit. Please do not take it to heart.”
“It is good that you are not angry.”
Song Minshu let out a breath of relief and said with a mysterious smile,
“Actually, that morning when I saw the marks you left on the Iron Dummy Stake, I knew your 《Heart-Piercing Dart》 had already reached the level where practice makes perfect—enough to rival Hall Master He. As expected, Zhao Changhong died at your hands. Your strength now probably does not fall short of Hall Master He.”
“Not at all, not at all.”
Su Wangchuan waved his hands quickly. “This subordinate merely stumbled upon a lucky shot… It is just a pity for the brothers who fell in battle.”
At these words, Song Minshu let out a deep sigh.
“Yes.”
“In a single battle, twenty-seven brothers died, and more than thirty were wounded. The Qingyi Sect truly came with the intent to wipe out our dock hall.”
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