novelraw Chapter 117
Chapter 117
Instructor Yu had indeed come to send people over.
Now that Su Wangchuan had been promoted to Hall Master of the Huishui County hall, the studio had begun to take serious notice.
A First-Rank Martial Artist.
Hall Master of the Huishui County hall.
A true power holder in Huishui County.
Su Wangchuan’s authority now far surpassed that of Instructor Yu.
Su Wan personally intervened and was studying how the authority in Su Wangchuan’s hands could bring tangible benefits to the studio.
After thinking for a moment, Su Wangchuan said, “For the Inner Sect of the hall, I can open up thirty slots. As long as the studio’s players reach the level of Quasi-Martial Artist, they can enter and receive a monthly stipend of five taels of silver. Including escort missions, they can earn at least fifteen taels of silver per month.”
“As for the dock branch helm, you are already aware of the Outer Sect disciples’ income. It is distributed according to labor. At present, daily earnings range from three hundred to four hundred Copper Pieces, but the quota is capped at twenty people. There cannot be any more. Any more will squeeze others’ income.”
Instructor Yu nodded. “The Outer Sect really has limited room for growth. But a guaranteed fifteen taels of silver per month in the Inner Sect is quite good. At present, we have nine Inner Sect disciples in the Huishui County hall. That means we can add twenty-one more.”“I plan to transfer seven Quasi-Martial Artists from nearby counties. As for the remaining slots, we will have miners from surrounding villages cultivate martial arts until they reach the Quasi-Martial Artist threshold… After all, opportunities in the villages are few, and the income is low. At most, they can earn six taels of silver per month. Compared to the Inner Sect, the difference is enormous.”
Su Wangchuan could not help but remind him, “The villages are relatively stable. Being an Inner Sect disciple of the Yulong Gang carries certain risks. In this stretch of waterways, only our Huishui County waters are absolutely safe. Once you leave this area, you may encounter attacks from other water bandits. There is a risk of account deletion.”
“… ”
Instructor Yu paused slightly, then nodded. “The risk is indeed greater. But do not the experiences of Blackstone Village and Tianshui Village show that the surrounding villages are not necessarily safe either?”
His implication was clear. He would not change the decision to send some people into the Yulong Gang’s Inner Sect.
With a sigh, Su Wangchuan nodded. There was nothing more he could say.
“Since you have already decided, then let us proceed. I will reserve enough slots for you.”
“Good!”
Instructor Yu left in a flurry.
Su Wangchuan watched him depart before silently returning to the Weapon Room.
The leaders of the game studio were members of the powerful elite, people who could throw around tens of billions at will. Their decisions were not something a mere First-Rank Martial Artist like him could change.
All he could do now was protect himself and survive well within spirit realm.
“Hall Master!”
“Greetings, Hall Master!”
“Congratulations on your promotion, Hall Master!”
Chen Ergou, Qian Sihai, and a group of others crowded around excitedly, their voices rising one after another in congratulations.
Su Wangchuan’s mood improved slightly.
“From now on, the affairs of the Weapon Room will be handled by Qian Sihai.”
“Qian Sihai, you will serve as Acting Room Master of the Weapon Room. Watch over it for me. Be responsible for the daily forging work and manage the iron ore materials in the storehouse. Ensure that the armory always has sufficient stock of various weapons.”
“Yes!”
Qian Sihai’s face lit up with joy as he cupped his fists.
With the Hall Master’s words, he had finally shed his former status as a captive under slave registration and officially become a disciple of the Yulong Gang.
“Ergou!”
At Su Wangchuan’s call, Chen Ergou hurried forward.
“I am here.”
“You have cultivated well these days. You have already reached the strength of a Quasi-Martial Artist. From now on, you are an Inner Sect disciple. Stay by my side and, for the time being, help me handle the affairs of the dock branch helm.”
“Yes! Thank you for your recognition, Hall Master!”
Chen Ergou’s eyes shone.
When Qian Sihai had been appointed Acting Room Master of the Weapon Room, Chen Ergou had felt a trace of disappointment. He had not expected the Hall Master to entrust him directly with managing the dock—essentially acting as the branch helm leader.
His face was filled with wild delight.
The assistants in the Weapon Room all offered their congratulations, their expressions full of envy.
Even the several players arranged by the Warring States Game Studio looked envious, though they all knew how desperately Chen Ergou had worked to curry favor with the former Room Master.
After leaving the Weapon Room, Su Wangchuan saw Wang Yuehui waiting at the hall.
“From now on, you will stay by my side as a runner. I do not need you to carry out escort missions. Every day, you will relay messages for me and collect the fees from each ship. Handle every vessel and every matter carefully. In Huishui County, you will face no risk.”
“Yes!”
Wang Yuehui’s face lit up with joy. He respectfully cupped his fists and raised them above his head.
“Thank you, Hall Master! I will devote myself completely and not disappoint you!”
He knew that with those words from Su Wangchuan, he had distanced himself from more than ninety percent of danger.
Su Wangchuan’s tone shifted, firm and decisive.
“Pass down my order. Gather a squad of Inner Sect disciples and proceed to the tailor shop. Arrest the remnants of the Nu Tao Gang there. Bring the shopkeeper and all assistants to the dock. Search for evidence.”
“Yes!”
Wang Yuehui accepted the order and departed.
With the Hall Master’s verbal command, he led his men straight to the tailor shop.
The shopkeeper and three assistants were caught completely off guard as the shop was surrounded.
The shopkeeper and two of the assistants, startled, drew their weapons and resisted. But the three of them were only at the level of Quasi-Martial Artist. How could they withstand it? They were soon cut down and bound, bloodied all over, and brought to the dock.
Su Wangchuan met them at the hall.
All four were in a wretched state, covered in wounds.
“Send for Physician Liao. Keep these men alive.”
“Then interrogate them separately. I want to know how many remnants of the Nu Tao Gang remain.”
With Su Wangchuan’s command, his subordinates immediately set to work.
Wang Yuehui presented a box and placed it in his hands. “Hall Master, this is the tailor shop’s cash chest.”
Business at the tailor shop had been good. Inside were silver notes worth over two hundred taels of silver, along with several dozen taels of loose silver.
Su Wangchuan accepted it without hesitation, smiling.
“Any other gains?”
Wang Yuehui replied, “In the shopkeeper’s residence behind the tailor shop, I found correspondence with the Nu Tao Gang and a martial arts manual. The letters are communications between this man and several Hall Masters and elders of the Nu Tao Gang. This is the martial arts manual.”
He presented a stack of letters and a stitched booklet.
《Water-Submerged Breath Regulation Art》: a First-Rank mental cultivation method.
After cultivating it, one could extend breath-holding time and increase underwater movement speed.
Su Wangchuan’s eyes brightened.
It was actually a breathing and qi-regulation method.
Although it was only useful for enhancing underwater mobility, for those who made their living on the waterways, it still had its uses.
What if, one day, he personally had to escort an important shipment?
Without knowing how to handle water, that would not do.
Su Wangchuan put away 《Water-Submerged Breath Regulation Art》 and showed his teeth in a smile.
“Your pledge of loyalty has indeed borne some fruit.”
He took five taels of loose silver and handed it to Wang Yuehui. “This is your reward. In the future, when handling matters outside, keep your eyes open. Report any situation at once… Now go follow up on the interrogation.”
“Thank you, Hall Master! I will remember your instructions. I take my leave.”
Wang Yuehui accepted the silver and withdrew to oversee the interrogation.
Su Wangchuan began reading the letters one by one, learning about the communications between this tailor shop and the upper ranks of the Nu Tao Gang before its destruction.
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