novelraw Chapter 56
Chapter 56
Leaving Blackstone Village.
Su Wangchuan had not expected that day to come so soon.
But the studio’s employment contract clearly stated that as long as an employee’s game character was not under threat, they must unconditionally obey any deployment or decision made by the studio.
Instructor Yu called only to inform him that he had to sever ties with Blackstone Village within a single day and head to Huishui County.
Lin Dahai was stunned when he received the news.
When the villagers saw Su Wangchuan, they could not hide their reluctance to part with him.
The first person Su Wangchuan went to see was his master, Blacksmith Sun.
“This disciple has come specifically to bid farewell to Master.”
Blacksmith Sun saw Su Wangchuan walk in with worry written all over his face. His gaze dimmed slightly as he said,
“Blackstone Village is too small. In truth, your forging skill has already caught up to mine, and in many ways surpassed it. There is nothing more I can teach you.”“During my time in Blackstone Village, I have only reached where I am today thanks to Master’s careful guidance,” Su Wangchuan said solemnly. “This disciple will remember it for life. Whenever I have time, I will certainly return to visit Master.”
“Good.” Blacksmith Sun showed a faint smile and asked, “Have you decided where you will settle?”
“A friend said the Yulong Gang is recruiting Quasi-Martial Artists right now. This disciple intends to try my luck there.”
Blacksmith Sun’s brows furrowed slightly.
“The Yulong Gang is considered a local faction in Huishui County. They have influence, and they are also intertwined with the authorities. They are not some crooked sect. It is good for you to go there, but people of the Jianghu indulge in wine, women, and excess. Once you arrive, do not follow them into debauchery and waste your cultivation.”
“This disciple will remember,” Su Wangchuan nodded respectfully.
“The Yulong Gang has a blacksmith shop and a weapon store under its name,” he continued. “This disciple plans to apply to work at the blacksmith shop first, continue improving 《Hundredfold Steel Forging Technique》, and cultivate martial arts as well, slowly familiarizing myself with the Yulong Gang and Huishui County.”
Hearing that Su Wangchuan did not intend to abandon 《Hundredfold Steel Forging Technique》, Blacksmith Sun’s face brightened. He nodded repeatedly.
“Good, good, good. You have already mastered the One-Breath Quadruple Strike forging technique. It would indeed be a pity to waste it. Once you reach Huishui County, strive to become the greatest blacksmith there.”
“This disciple will remember.”
After that, Blacksmith Sun helped Su Wangchuan carry the Hundredfold Steel Spear and his luggage, escorting him all the way to the village entrance.
Many people came upon hearing the news.
Bai Yuhui and Hong Kaibao were especially reluctant to part.
But they understood that their senior brother was obeying the studio’s orders and had no choice but to go to Huishui County.
“Senior Brother, don’t worry. Once we master 《Basic Spear Technique》, we’ll go to Huishui County and join you.”
“That’s right! We’ve already entered the fourth training requirement. We’ll master 《Basic Spear Technique》 soon!”
Su Wangchuan smiled and nodded, agreeing.
Then he saw Captain Zhao Heiniu walk over and press something into his hands.
He lowered his head. On the blue booklet were four bold characters:
《Hundred Paces Piercing the Poplar》.
《Hundred Paces Piercing the Poplar》: First-Rank Martial Art (Archery Technique)
Master it, and you can pierce a poplar leaf at a hundred paces, hitting wherever you aim.
Su Wangchuan’s hand trembled. Shock flashed through his eyes.
This was actually a first-rank martial art manual.
“Captain Zhao…”
He had not expected Captain Zhao Heiniu to hand him such a manual. In an instant, shame rose in him, and the booklet felt scorching hot in his palm.
In Blackstone Village, he had received guidance and careful instruction from two masters. Yet before the problem of Blackwind Stronghold was resolved, he was leaving alone for Huishui County.
Even if the decision came from the company, it still carried the humiliation of fleeing before battle, like a deserter betraying Blackstone Village.
Captain Zhao Heiniu, as usual, patted his shoulder and said,
“This manual isn’t being given to you for free. Once you reach Huishui County, you will be better informed than we are. When that Six Gates Constable Captain leaves, I hope you will take action and look after Blackstone Village… Or if Blackwind Stronghold attacks us, I hope you can rush back and provide support.”
Ding!
System Notification:
“Do you accept the ‘Support Blackstone Village’ task? Task content: When you receive a system alert, urgently rush to Blackstone Village, help repel Blackwind Stronghold, and preserve the village. Task reward: First-rank martial art manual, 《Hundred Paces Piercing the Poplar》.”
So there were conditions.
Su Wangchuan did not hesitate. He nodded at once.
“Good!”
“I agree, Captain Zhao.”
“If Blackstone Village faces danger, Su Wangchuan will return at the first moment to provide support!”
“Accept task!”
System Notification:
“Obtained 《Hundred Paces Piercing the Poplar》.”
Captain Zhao Heiniu smiled.
“Wangchuan, you know gratitude. I trust your character. With you helping, the village will have one more measure of hope… All right. Go. Don’t keep those waiting for you anxious.”
Outside the village, Instructor Yu had already been waiting.
Su Wangchuan turned back and looked at the faces of dozens of villagers and players he had dealt with for months. He nodded deeply, then took his luggage and the Hundredfold Steel Spear from his master’s hands and placed everything on Instructor Yu’s horse.
Instructor Yu led the horse forward, and they left Blackstone Village.
Instructor Yu wore an easy smile.
“Once you leave Blackstone Village and reach Huishui County, you’ll realize this world is far broader than you imagined. But when you arrive at the county seat, you must be extremely careful. Restrain your sharpness, act cautiously, and do not cause trouble. There are many Quasi-Martial Artists and martial artists there, and there are even Ranked Martial Artists. Even Ranked Martial Artists in the land-clearing teams do not dare act recklessly. Everyone must follow rules.”
“Rules?” Su Wangchuan asked.
“In Huishui County, on the surface there are rules set by the authorities. Inside the city, armed fighting is forbidden, but barehanded sparring is not prohibited. If you end up injuring yourself and suffering hidden damage, you might be bedridden for ten days or half a month at best. At worst, your meridians and Qi-blood may be harmed.”
“In addition, clans have clan rules, and gangs have gang rules… We call these Jianghu rules. Put simply, the weak submit to the strong. But between factions, you absolutely cannot show weakness. You cannot disgrace the gang or clan behind you.”
“The waters here run deep. We’ll talk slowly.”
Instructor Yu continued,
“First, let me tell you about the Yulong Gang.”
“The Yulong Gang is a branch under the Caobang. Their main business is escorting goods by water route, but they also take on a bit of smuggling in salt and iron. In Huishui County, they carry real authority. They have some standing in Sanhe Commandery as well. At the docks and on the waterways, the Yulong Gang has strong influence.”
“There are more than three hundred laborers who make their living under the Yulong Gang in Huishui County. Almost all dock laborers are disciples of the gang. They have families and dependents. They are no small force.”
“Qingfeng Escort Agency and several clans all have good relations with the Yulong Gang. The authorities are also properly greased… But this time, after suffering such a loss at the hands of the Nu Tao Gang—three martial artists dead, one injured, eight Quasi-Martial Artists dead, and more than thirty gang brothers—there will definitely be retaliation. They will take action against the Nu Tao Gang.”
“You should join the Yulong Gang as a blacksmith first and stay in the rear. It will be much safer.”
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