Chapter 312: “Well Done Killing Him!”

Su Wangchuan silently sheathed the flexible sword, leaped down into the training yard, and clasped his fists toward Elder Zhu of the Beggar Sect.

“Elder Zhu, blades have no eyes. I accidentally killed Senior Luo. My apologies.”

His words were calm and neither humble nor arrogant, yet there was not the slightest trace of remorse in his tone.

Elder Zhu’s face turned ashen.

“I did not expect that the Helm Leader of the Sanjiang Branch Helm would not only possess formidable internal cultivation, but also such scheming cunning. No wonder someone so young could sit in the position of a Caobang Helm Leader. I truly underestimated you.”

Elder Zhu walked forward silently and lifted Luo Laoqi’s corpse.

Luo Laoqi had already died from excessive blood loss.

“Today Luo Laoqi’s challenge has failed. The one hundred taels of gold belong to you. Farewell.”

Elder Zhu said nothing more and carried Luo Laoqi’s body out of the Sanjiang Branch Helm.

Su Wangchuan escorted him all the way to the entrance.

On the Dock Plaza, the Caobang disciples and probationary disciples erupted into thunderous cheers.

“Helm Leader is mighty!”

“Good!!”

“Helm Leader is mighty!!”

When word had spread that the Beggar Sect had come to challenge them, everyone had held their breath, waiting for this very moment.

Now that Luo Laoqi of the Beggar Sect had been carried out horizontally while their own Helm Leader stood unharmed, the crowd naturally burst into jubilant celebration. The Dock Plaza became a sea of cheers.

Elder Zhu’s expression grew even darker. After boarding a boat, he departed silently with Luo Laoqi’s corpse.

They had already won three battles in a row and had nearly succeeded in grinding the Caobang’s reputation into the dirt.

Yet they had unexpectedly stumbled at the Sanjiang Branch Helm.

Watching Su Wangchuan standing on the steps of the branch helm, seeing him off, Elder Zhu silently clenched his fists. His gaze darkened as killing intent surged in his eyes.

But in the end, he restrained himself and left the territory of Sanhe Commandery with Luo Laoqi’s body.

A Beggar Sect challenge could only occur once.

Since they had failed, this matter was completely over.

They had failed in challenging the Sanhe Commandery Sub-Branch.

They had failed in challenging the Sanjiang Branch Helm.

The Beggar Sect’s plan to suppress the Caobang in Sanhe Commandery with minimal losses had failed.

If he continued to remain in Sanhe Commandery, a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist like him would not be safe.

…

Su Wangchuan watched the Beggar Sect’s boat sail away.

Then he turned toward the hundreds of disciples gathered on the dock and raised a large gold ingot high into the air.

“Today the Beggar Sect sent a master here to deliver money!”

“This Helm Leader is pleased!”

“One hundred taels of gold—every bit of it will be distributed as rewards!”

“All dock laborers—two hundred Copper Coins each!”

“All probationary disciples—one tael of silver each!”

“All Branch Helm disciples who are Unranked—five taels of silver each!”

“All Ranked Martial Artists—ten taels of silver each!”

The cheers across the Dock Plaza instantly surged even higher. Shouts of “Helm Leader is mighty!” shot into the sky, echoing throughout Hejiang Town.

At that moment, everyone outside the Caobang gazed toward the Dock Plaza with envy.

Outsiders envied the dock laborers.

The dock laborers envied the probationary disciples.

The probationary disciples longed to enter the Branch Helm.

The Branch Helm disciples hoped to become Ranked Martial Artists.

A seed was planted in everyone’s heart—

the stronger one became, the richer the rewards.

Amid the roaring cheers, Su Wangchuan returned to the Branch Helm and headed straight for the infirmary.

Physician Liao was already waiting with a medicine chest. Yang Feiyue stood beside him, examining Su Wangchuan’s injuries with a delighted expression.

“I had long heard that Luo Laoqi’s iron staff is extremely formidable. When it strikes someone’s body, several bones usually break… He especially enjoys attacking the soles of the feet and the knees. I never expected that after being struck several times, your tendons and bones remain unharmed.”

“The realm of your Dragon-Elephant Body-Protection Technique truly has reached a profound level.”

“Heh, I was fortunate.”

Su Wangchuan smiled faintly, then involuntarily bared his teeth in pain.

“Physician Liao, a little gentler.”

“The Helm Leader’s tendons and bones are indeed tough. The injuries are not severe. However, the three injured spots have congealed bruised blood. If it is not massaged and dispersed now, it will gradually form hardened lumps… that would become troublesome later.”

Physician Liao continued using his techniques to stimulate circulation and remove the bruising.

Hearing this, Su Wangchuan could only endure the pain.

Chen Ergou, Zhao Heiniu, Wang Yuehui, and the others all gathered around.

“Helm Leader!”

“You have achieved a great merit this time!”

“I heard that Old Seven is extremely dissatisfied with the Leishui and Jinhe Branch Helms. The three people in Leishui have been completely crippled! The Helm Leader of the Jinhe Branch Helm disgraced the Caobang and has already been ordered to return to the hall to receive punishment!”

“You killed Luo Laoqi this time. Not only did you win great honor for our Caobang, you also avenged those brothers. The Hall Master will certainly be very pleased.”

“Exactly!”

“You turned the tide this time and preserved the reputation of all the Branch Helms of the Sanhe Commandery hall. You also severely humiliated the Beggar Sect… The reward will certainly be considerable.”

“That is right!”

“The Hall Master will surely grant a heavy reward this time!”

The group chattered excitedly.

Su Wangchuan merely smiled without speaking.

He silently summoned his Status Panel and glanced at it.

During this life-and-death battle, the 《Qingcheng Sword Art》 had gained more than one hundred experience points, reaching 320/500. It was already not far from Entry-Level Mastery.

The Dragon-Elephant Body-Protection Technique had also gained several experience points.

Real combat truly allowed rapid improvement.

However…

The risks were enormous.

Of course, facing Luo Laoqi and killing him was indeed a great achievement.

After all, even Old Seven had blinded a Third-Rank Martial Artist of the Beggar Sect at the cost of severe injuries, exchanging it for a year of peace for the hall and preserving his own seat as the acting hall master.

Su Wangchuan pondered whether such a great merit should be exchanged with the Caobang for a Lesser Rejuvenation Pill… or for a Fourth-Rank martial arts manual.

Just as he was hesitating, a Carrier Pigeon Message from Old Seven arrived.

“Helm Leader!”

“A message from the Main Helm!”

A Branch Helm disciple respectfully handed him the scroll.

Su Wangchuan opened it and smiled.

Old Seven had clearly arranged someone to wait here in advance, anticipating the result of the challenge at the Sanjiang Branch Helm.

The moment Luo Laoqi died, someone had already sent a carrier pigeon message to notify him.

On the slip of paper were only three words:

“杀得好！”

Well done killing him!

Su Wangchuan could easily imagine Old Seven writing this message in excitement and exhilaration after learning of Luo Laoqi’s death.

The only question now was what reward this achievement would bring.

While he was still thinking, Physician Liao had finished dispersing the bruised blood and completed the massage.

Su Wangchuan thanked Physician Liao and instructed everyone to return to their duties.

Soon, only Su Wangchuan and Yang Feiyue remained in the infirmary.

Yang Feiyue sat across from him, his expression growing serious.

“Achieving merit is a good thing. But on the Beggar Sect’s side, your name is likely already on their list. From now on, you must be extra cautious whenever you go out.”

“I know.”

“The Beggar Sect beggars have always been narrow-minded. I ruined their plans this time, killed Luo Laoqi, and disgraced the Beggar Sect. They probably wish to eliminate me as quickly as possible.”

Su Wangchuan smiled bitterly.

Fortune and misfortune depended upon each other.

Nothing wrong with that.

“It is good that you understand.”

Yang Feiyue nodded and sighed.

“Fortunately, the Beggar Sect’s influence in Sanhe Commandery is far weaker than before. If you keep several safe havens like a cunning rabbit with three burrows, they will have quite a headache.”

He was suggesting that Su Wangchuan temporarily leave the Branch Helm to avoid danger.

Su Wangchuan shook his head and refused.

“The Branch Helm is strong and well-manned now. Even if a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist attacks, we could hold them off for a while. Leaving the Branch Helm would actually be more dangerous. Do not worry—I will be careful.”

Yang Feiyue said nothing further.