novelraw Chapter 233
Chapter 233
Caobang!
Sanjiang Branch Helm, Helm Leader, Wangchuan!
The moment Wangchuan received that token, his heart surged with excitement.
At this moment—
He had truly become the rightful Helm Leader of the Sanjiang Branch Helm.
From now on, all shipping affairs across the upper and lower waters of the Sanjiang Branch Helm would officially be decided by him alone.
All disciples of the Sanjiang Branch Helm would obey his command!
With this token, every reserve disciple of the Sanjiang Branch Helm would also gain formal recognition from all.
“Brother Cui, you have traveled far and endured much hardship!”
“Please, come inside and sit.”“You are too courteous, Helm Leader.”
Cui Mingjue lowered his voice and spoke close to his ear. “Recently, Old Seven has been tracking the whereabouts of Crimson Pavilion’s assassins. The hall is short-handed, and I still have many matters to attend to. I truly do not have time to drink and celebrate with Brother Wangchuan.”
“Oh?”
Wangchuan’s heart tightened. He hurriedly asked,
“Have Crimson Pavilion assassins appeared again?”
“Not exactly…”
Cui Mingjue glanced around and spoke in a mysterious tone.
“It is just that news from the coast says Crimson Pavilion never stops until its objective is achieved. Old Seven is extremely tense. Recently, he has not only begun recruiting extensively but has even extended invitations to skilled experts from surrounding subsidiary gangs to strengthen the hall’s power in preparation for dealing with Crimson Pavilion assassins.”
At this point, he added specifically to Wangchuan, “Brother Wangchuan, you must also be careful. Since one Crimson Pavilion assassin failed to kill you, there will likely be follow-up action. From now on, no matter the occasion, keep several guards by your side, just in case.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Brother Cui.”
Wangchuan handed over a gold ingot weighing five taels.
Cui Mingjue accepted it calmly and nodded with a smile.
“Brother Wangchuan, in fact, you now have three vacant Deputy Helm Leader positions under you. You may consider recruiting second-rank martial artists from elsewhere. Money can always be earned again, do you not agree?”
“Brother Cui speaks wisely.”
“Oh, and when you have time, make a trip to the Prefectural Government. You are now a helm leader. According to the rules, a helm leader may enter the Armory Manual Vault at any time. You may freely consult martial art manuals from first to third rank. Very well, I shall take my leave.”
After delivering yet another piece of good news, Cui Mingjue departed.
As soon as he left, many people stepped forward to offer congratulations.
“Congratulations, Helm Leader!”
“Felicitations, Helm Leader!”
Zhang Cha’er, Chen Ergou, and others gathered around.
Among the crowd, Li Qing also cupped his fists from afar in congratulation.
After responding to them one by one, Wangchuan returned to the branch helm and headed to the Training Grounds.
Bai Jingtang, along with Old Qiu, Old Yuan, Old Fan, and Sister Yuan, had already packed up and were preparing to leave.
“Captain Bai.”
Wangchuan walked over.
A complicated expression flickered in Bai Jingtang’s eyes.
“I broke through to the fourth rank two days ago. I must now return to the sect and cultivate the sect’s fifth-rank martial art as soon as possible to increase my strength. You… take good care of yourself. Be especially cautious in your actions.”
She knew clearly that Wangchuan’s current situation was extremely dangerous.
Yet she had no choice but to leave.
“Yes.”
Wangchuan nodded, his expression calm and composed.
“Thank you, Captain Bai, and everyone else, for this period of time.”
Old Qiu and the others nodded.
“Wangchuan, take care.”
“You all as well. Have a safe journey.”
Wangchuan cupped his fists in farewell.
After Captain Bai and her group departed, Wangchuan turned to Bai Yuhui, who was standing beside him.
“Did your sister tell you that the branch helm will be very dangerous in the near future?”
“She did.”
Bai Yuhui nodded.
“But she said that with you here, I am just a small fry. As long as I do not deliberately rush into danger, I should be fine.”
“…”
Wangchuan’s face darkened.
So they were leaving him here, but at the first sign of danger, they would run?
Bai Yuhui laughed and explained,
“My sister said your arrangements in the branch helm are already comprehensive. Crimson Pavilion also cares about its reputation. They usually would not dispatch a fourth-rank expert against a target with only second-rank cultivation. The next move will most likely be an ordinary assassin with third-rank cultivation.”
“A third-rank martial artist is still not someone I can handle.”
Hearing that, Wangchuan felt slightly better.
“The hall’s guards have doubled. Two second-rank martial artists, four first-rank martial artists, more than a dozen full-fledged martial artists, and over seventy Quasi-Martial Artists. Everyone is equipped with bows, Armor-Piercing Arrows, and poisoned arrows. Outside the branch helm, more than a dozen pairs of eyes are deployed. If such an arrangement still cannot deal with an ordinary Crimson Pavilion assassin, then we all deserve to die.”
“…”
Wangchuan paused.
That was true.
With such a formidable lineup, if they could not even handle an ordinary Crimson Pavilion assassin, how would they face stronger Bronze-Ranked or Silver-Ranked assassins in the future?
Early death or late death—it would still be death.
If death came, so be it.
He returned and continued cultivating.
His 《Black Tortoise Art》 had already reached its final threshold.
Over these past days, he had thought it through carefully.
The reason 《Black Tortoise Art》 could be cultivated more quickly in water was likely because it was a water-attributed cultivation method…
The circulation of 《Black Tortoise Art》 had a certain connection to 《Water-Submerged Breath Regulation Art》.
Without having cultivated 《Water-Submerged Breath Regulation Art》, it would probably be very difficult to cultivate underwater and complete a full Great Circulation of internal breath.
Ordinary people had no opportunity to access 《Black Tortoise Art》.
Thus, in the entire Warring States Game Studio, he was likely the only one who could cultivate it—and the only one who could use the underwater shortcut.
Originally…
If Land-Clearing Team One had left behind a second-rank martial artist, there would have been hope of obtaining 《Black Tortoise Art》.
But unfortunately, the Warring States Game Studio acted cautiously and was unwilling to take risks.
Since Monk Dalong and Old Qiu were unwilling to stay, the benefits of 《Black Tortoise Art》 were naturally beyond their reach.
If they had stayed, that would have been goodwill, and he would certainly have shared the intelligence.
If they did not stay, that was simply their duty.
He would also conduct himself according to duty.
Around two in the morning…
Wangchuan stepped out of the bathtub, dried himself, changed his clothes, and put on his Gaming Helmet to log into spirit realm.
“Ding!”
System notification:
“《Black Tortoise Art》 has advanced to ‘Minor Mastery’! Reward: +1 Stamina! Reward: +1 Spirit!”
Huh?!
Wangchuan froze.
This was the second time he had heard of a Spirit attribute reward.
It was also the first time that advancing a cultivation method to ‘Minor Mastery’ had granted two attribute points.
“Ding!”
System notification:
“Inner cultivation method advanced to ‘Minor Mastery.’ Spirit attribute function unlocked.”
Shock flashed across Wangchuan’s eyes.
The Spirit attribute—unlocked!
The attribute that had previously remained inactive had finally been activated.
He immediately summoned the Status Panel.
Wangchuan: Male (Hunger 47/100)
(Life Profession: Blacksmith)
(Combat Profession: Second-Rank Martial Artist)
Strength 41; Attack 13–14;
Agility 45; Defense 9; Speed +45;
Stamina 45; HP 450/450;
Spirit 10: Inner Force 100/100;
Free Attribute Points: 5 (Unassigned)
When he saw the words “Inner Force” appear behind the Spirit attribute, realization dawned on him.
So the Spirit attribute corresponded to Inner Force.
The numerical value behind it indicated that Inner Force was consumable.
With that thought, he could not help activating the internal breath in his dantian.
The internal breath swiftly spread across his entire body!
A faintly warm current flowed into his meridians. Almost instinctively, Wangchuan activated 《Iron Shirt》. The internal breath followed the technique, causing his sinews and bones to resonate in unison. His skin and frame tightened subtly, and a faint current of energy enveloped him, adding an unmistakable aura of imposing presence.