Li Degui and Cao Xingwen were both first-rank martial artists.
Among the dozen or so underlings who had once followed them, there had indeed been several full-fledged martial artists who ran errands for them and served to bolster their prestige.
Now that Wang Yuehui effectively acted as the agent of the Helm Leader of the Sanjiang Branch Helm, a single order from him was enough.
The forr underlings of the two deputy helm leaders imdiately cleaned themselves up as if they had received an imperial summons. Neat and spirited, they soon stood before Wangchuan with chests held high, awaiting inspection.
Six full-fledged martial artists.
Twelve Quasi-Martial Artists.
Ever since the deputy helm leaders had died, these people had been thoroughly marginalized.
They could not get involved in the dock’s unloading business.
Nor did they belong to any of the branch helm’s teams. Like stray dogs, they had been living in constant anxiety.
“I called you here because I have a task for you.”
Wangchuan said,
“You are all veterans of the Sanjiang Branch Helm.”
“You should be familiar with the branch helm and the people in Hejiang Town.”
“Yes!”
The group nodded vigorously.
One of them, with an ordinary appearance but sharp and lively eyes, cupped his fists and said,
“Helm Leader! The skills under our hands may not compare to those of the brothers handling shipping affairs, but we have walked the docks for years and long ago trained a pair of keen eyes! Dock laborers, gang disciples, and the various ways of the subsidiary gangs—we know them all like the back of our hands.”
“Oh?”
Wangchuan’s interest was imdiately piqued.
“You… are good at recognizing people?”
“Only a few trivial tricks, not worthy of high praise. But if the Helm Leader wishes to test , I can demonstrate on the spot.”
The Caobang disciple cupped his fists again, full of confidence.
Wangchuan was instantly intrigued.
“Good!”
“Let us go to the docks!”
Chen Ergou and Wang Yuehui followed closely behind.
The group stopped at the front courtyard gate.
The disciple bowed respectfully to Wangchuan and said, “Helm Leader, please select anyone at will. I can tell you eight or nine out of ten details about that person’s background.”
“Very well.”
Wangchuan nodded.
The docks were bustling and prosperous. More than a hundred ships were moored, and the vast square was filled with streams of people weaving back and forth.
At a glance, there were at least a thousand individuals either working, resting, or hurrying along.
Wangchuan knew the man would certainly recognize the dock laborers, so he deliberately chose faces that did not look local.
He selected three people.
To his surprise, the man truly had so ability and began speaking without hesitation.
“The first is the owner of a cloth shop in Hejiang Town. His na is… He has two concubines at ho. He has co here to ship goods. He has several regular custors in the south.”
“The second is from Rong County. He has co to our dock several tis to purchase grain. Rong County has been flooded, and grain prices have remained high. However, many people are scrambling to do this business now, and it is difficult to buy grain at a low price. I am afraid he will return empty-handed again this ti.”
“The last one is a salt rchant from the coast. He is clearly wealthy, yet dresses plainly. I have seen him several tis. When it cos to actual transactions, he is extrely generous. The n behind him are all his bodyguards. I have heard they are all ranked martial artists.”
Chen Ergou nodded from behind and said to Wangchuan,
“The first and second are mostly correct. As for the third, I am not sure. It is my first ti seeing him.”
A smile appeared on Wangchuan’s face.
“What is your na?”
This man was indeed a talent. His observation was sharp, his mory excellent, and most importantly, he was attentive.
The man quickly cupped his fists.
“This subordinate is ‘Li Qing’! I have a distant kinship with Deputy Helm Leader Li Degui.”
“Li Qing.”
Wangchuan committed the na to mory and said,
“Since you have a knack for recognizing people, I will give this task to you! From now on, this group will be under your command. You will be responsible for secretly monitoring everything inside and outside Hejiang Town. From the docks to the branch helm—that is the key area of supervision! In addition, within the entire range of Hejiang Town, any unfamiliar face that appears must have their background investigated as soon as possible, especially martial artists. Report promptly according to their rank!”
Li Qing’s eyes lit up.
“This subordinate obeys!”
Wangchuan continued,
“What was your previous salary?”
“Fifty taels of silver.”
Li Qing replied.
“I will double it. From now on, you will receive one hundred taels of silver each month. In addition, any valuable targets you discover will earn separate bonuses! If any of the people under you discover a target, I will count that toward your reward as well.”
The mont Wangchuan finished speaking, Li Qing trembled with excitent.
“Many thanks to the Helm Leader for your recognition! I will devote myself entirely and give my all!”
Wangchuan pulled him aside and added in a low voice,
“If you can locate other Crimson Pavilion assassins connected to the murder of Deputy Helm Leader Li Degui, the reward will start at ten taels of gold. I will also grant you two first-rank martial art manuals to help you break through to first-rank martial artist.”
“…”
Li Qing’s gaze turned blazing hot.
“This subordinate understands! I will guard the docks and the branch helm closely. If any unfamiliar martial artist approaches, I will report to you imdiately.”
Wangchuan smiled. Li Qing was indeed quick-witted.
“Be careful not to alert the enemy.”
“Yes!”
Just like that, Wangchuan quietly set Li Qing in motion.
On the surface, these n were Caobang disciples stationed at the docks, overseeing the unloading of ships. In reality, they ford a ring of eyes and ears that Wangchuan had placed outside the branch helm.
If unfamiliar people approached the branch helm in the future, the first thing they would face would be Li Qing’s keen gaze.
That very evening, Chen Ergou compiled the information.
In Huishui County, more than forty forr brothers t the requirents and were willing to co to the Sanjiang Branch Helm to follow him, including three martial artists.
That sa night, Wangchuan called Lin Xun and inford him to release the n.
Lin Xun agreed without hesitation.
He understood that Wangchuan had been attacked in the Sanjiang Branch Helm and must be short-handed.
He even asked whether he should transfer a few first-rank martial artists to help, but Wangchuan declined.
With eighty people stationed at the Sanjiang Branch Helm hall.
Eighteen pairs of eyes secretly deployed at the gate.
And more than three hundred reserve disciples…
The branch helm’s security should now be stable.
Bai Jingtang observed Wangchuan’s arrangents without saying a word.
She rely continued cultivating her niche cultivation thod in silence. Only one final step remained before she reached the fourth rank.
After settling everything, Wangchuan returned to his room, logged off, and went back to his bathtub. He subrged his entire body in the water and used the shortcut he had discovered in the 《Black Tortoise Art》 to accelerate his cultivation and increase his Experience Value.
After many days of hard training, the Experience Value of 《Black Tortoise Art》 had already reached 63/100. In six more days, he would break through.
Ti passed day by day.
On the twentieth day, a team arranged by Old Seven set out from the Prefectural Governnt and arrived at the Sanjiang Branch Helm.
Wangchuan went out to receive them.
The one who ca was none other than Cui Mingjue.
Old Seven’s trusted confidant.
“Brother Cui has co from afar! Wangchuan failed to welco you properly!”
“You are too courteous, Helm Leader.”
“I have co under Old Seven’s orders to deliver your new identity token!”
In front of countless people at the docks, Cui Mingjue loudly announced,
“Helm Leader Wangchuan, under your governance the Sanjiang Branch Helm has flourished. In recognition of your killing the assassin and avenging your two colleagues, you are hereby formally promoted as the Helm Leader of the Sanjiang Branch Helm!”
“Congratulations, Helm Leader Wangchuan!”
Cui Mingjue stepped forward with his congratulations and placed a brand-new, heavier brass token into Wangchuan’s hand.
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