Chapter 292: The Effects of the “Lesser Rejuvenation Pill”

Su Wangchuan was not in a hurry to deal with the matter of the Yulong Gang’s Water Stronghold.

The Blood Moon Incident had only just passed, and everything was in ruins awaiting restoration. There was no need to act out of emotion.

He ordered someone to prepare a specially made large wooden vat for cultivating the 《Black Tortoise Art》. Then he returned to his room and took the “Lesser Rejuvenation Pill” from the wardrobe.

A thoughtful look appeared in Su Wangchuan’s eyes as he muttered to himself,

“The Blood Moon Incident has just ended. Among all the factions, the Caobang has suffered the greatest losses and impact. A series of chain reactions will surely follow.”

“External challenges may not appear immediately. But once the true extent of the Caobang’s casualties spreads, water bandits from various places—including the Beggar Sect, the Five Poison Sect, the assassins of the Crimson Pavilion, and even potential enemies—may all emerge.”

“This ‘Lesser Rejuvenation Pill’ must be used as soon as possible to accelerate the cultivation of the 《Black Tortoise Art》. I must strive to reach the realm of Integration as quickly as possible.”

The foundation of strength within the Sanjiang Branch Helm was sufficient to maintain control over the shipping affairs of both the upstream and downstream waterways, ensuring the safety of passing vessels and convoys. However, he worried that the other three branch helms might end up dragging him down.

Therefore…

Just as Chen Ergou entered to report, “Helm Leader, the wooden vat as tall as an adult has been prepared, and it has already been filled with water,” Su Wangchuan did not hesitate. He immediately placed the priceless “Lesser Rejuvenation Pill” into his mouth and swallowed it.

This kind of pill required time to dissolve gradually, slowly merging into the limbs and bones. One had to circulate their internal cultivation method to absorb the medicinal power completely.

Su Wangchuan stepped out of the room and saw the wooden vat in the courtyard. It had been temporarily assembled using thick wooden planks originally intended for shipbuilding. The vat was nearly 1.8 meters deep—more than enough for cultivation.

“Helm Leader, I will guard you here during your cultivation.”

Knowing that the Helm Leader intended to cultivate, Chen Ergou took the initiative to volunteer.

Su Wangchuan shook his head.

“This is a critical period. Someone must remain outside to oversee matters. Help me keep watch over the branch helm. As for guarding my cultivation, just arrange a few brothers to take turns.”

With Bai Yuhui, Fei Zai, and a group of disciples already dispatched, and with additional double-guard posts and patrol fleets arranged, the branch helm’s manpower was already limited. A few Second-Rank Martial Artists had to remain outside to stabilize morale.

“This subordinate obeys!”

Chen Ergou immediately arranged four First-Rank Martial Artists to guard the courtyard.

Su Wangchuan leaped into the vat, plunging straight into the water. He sank to the bottom and sat cross-legged, circulating the 《Black Tortoise Art》.

This time, however, the cultivation felt different from usual.

The effects of the “Lesser Rejuvenation Pill” quickly revealed themselves.

With merely a single circulation of internal energy through his meridians and acupoints, he could already feel that the speed of operating the 《Black Tortoise Art》 had increased slightly. One full major circulation now took roughly three minutes.

After completing a full circulation, his internal energy suddenly expanded noticeably.

Underwater, Su Wangchuan opened his eyes in disbelief.

He quickly glanced at his Status Panel and confirmed that the experience value of the 《Black Tortoise Art》 had increased slightly, reaching 1524/2000.

As expected of the “Lesser Rejuvenation Pill.” As expected of a precious pill worth a fortune—it truly lived up to its reputation.

He immediately continued circulating his cultivation method.

Time was precious.

The “Lesser Rejuvenation Pill” provided accelerated cultivation effects for an entire day. He had to seize every moment.

Time passed bit by bit.

Su Wangchuan confirmed that each major circulation took roughly three minutes.

With the assistance of the “Lesser Rejuvenation Pill,” each circulation was equivalent to completing fifteen normal cycles of cultivation, granting one point of experience.

In one hour, he gained twenty points of experience.

Su Wangchuan felt his heart burn with excitement.

At this moment, he did not even want to eat.

Why eat?

Wasting time was the same as wasting money.

Near noon, Liu Suifeng—the captain of the second squad in the upstream waterways—sent back a report.

Three dock halls upstream had been struck by the blood fog. However, one of them happened to be slightly farther from the river and had not suffered catastrophic destruction. Its losses were limited, and it could still maintain its basic shipping operations.

Su Wangchuan immediately ordered Chen Ergou to dispatch several First-Rank Martial Artists to temporarily take over the two damaged dock halls, ensuring the full protection of shipping operations along the upstream section of the Sanhe River.

At the same time, he ordered additional patrol teams to strengthen defenses along the upstream waterways.

The two men accepted the order and departed.

Su Wangchuan quickly ate some food to clear his Hunger, then resumed cultivation.

With the full intervention of the Sanjiang Branch Helm, the six dock halls along both the upstream and downstream waterways soon resumed normal operations. Fully armed Caobang patrol ships traveled back and forth frequently, boosting morale.

As evening approached, Su Wangchuan had not slept for an entire day and night, nor had he logged off to eat in the real world.

Yet he remained full of energy, completely immersed in the rapid cultivation of the 《Black Tortoise Art》.

Outside the courtyard, the guards had already been rotated three times.

If Su Wangchuan had not surfaced every half hour or so to breathe, the guards would have started worrying that their Helm Leader had fallen into cultivation deviation.

Late at night, when everything was quiet,

the experience value of the 《Black Tortoise Art》 continued to advance steadily.

The guardians had now been replaced by Wang Yuehui and Chen Ergou.

Whenever Su Wangchuan surfaced to breathe, Chen Ergou would seize the opportunity to report the latest updates from the upstream and downstream squads.

The Caobang’s takeover of the dock halls had progressed very smoothly.

The frequent patrols of the patrol fleet had indeed ensured the safety of the entire waterway.

Throughout the entire day, no incidents had occurred.

However, Chen Ergou had also received carrier pigeon messages from the dock halls, learning more about the aftermath of yesterday’s Blood Moon Incident.

Across almost the entire Nanyu Kingdom, blood fog attacks had appeared along rivers and seas. The Caobang and many nearby gang forces had been attacked, suffering heavy losses.

This also included some Water Strongholds that normally operated on the rivers, as well as many water bandits. They too had suffered severe damage and heavy casualties.

In other words…

The water bandits had also suffered tremendous losses.

In addition, the officials dispatched to investigate the Blood Moon Incident had also sustained varying degrees of casualties.

For example, Constable Captain He—who had visited the previous day—had led his group into Heilong County and attempted to probe the blood fog, but to no avail. While leaving, they were suddenly attacked within the dark forest.

Three constables from the squad were killed.

Constable Captain He fled on horseback at full speed. During the escape, he used small jars of tung oil and a fire striker to ignite the surrounding forest, forcing the “culprit” to retreat.

It was during that encounter that Constable Captain He’s group finally saw the true form of the killer—and completely exposed the culprit behind the Blood Moon Incident.

The Six Gates of Sanhe Commandery issued a maritime arrest warrant along with a portrait, posting them across every town with an enormous bounty.

Su Wangchuan took the wanted portrait from Chen Ergou.

On the paper was drawn a fierce beast with a long, agile body and razor-sharp claws and fangs.

Its body was covered in thick black scales, cold and menacing in appearance. Its movements were swift and powerful, and it looked nothing like a creature that belonged to this world.

The notice also described it in detail.

Its tail could extend and whip outward, reaching more than ten meters in length. Both sides of the tail were as sharp as blades, capable of easily slicing through human flesh. Its combat strength could overwhelm a Third-Rank Martial Artist.

Reward for reporting a sighting: ten taels of gold.

Reward for killing one: one hundred taels of gold.