Chapter 394: New Hall Master, New Atmosphere

Throughout the entire Hall, aside from Lin Cunxin, Chen Ergou, Zhao Heiniu, and Wang Yuehui, almost no one knew that Old Seven had already been transferred away.

They had only come to this meeting because they had been summoned. None of them understood what was going on.

It was only when Wangchuan appeared at the seat of highest authority and sat down in the chair reserved exclusively for the Hall Master that they finally understood what had happened...

All the people in charge immediately bent at the waist and cupped their fists in salute, their voices and posture even more respectful than before.

That included Lin Cunxin.

He knew it well.

Hall Master Yin would never return.

And Old Seven...

He would never return either.

From this day forward, the sky over Sanhe Commandery Hall would be Wangchuan’s alone to command.

Although Lin Cunxin had long known that Wangchuan would take over the Hall Master’s position, he had not known that Wangchuan had already broken through to the fourth rank.

And when he faced Wangchuan as he was now, for the first time he felt it with absolute clarity:

A vast, overwhelming pressure had descended upon him.

It was exactly like the first time he had met Hall Master Yin...

No.

It was even clearer and stronger than that.

A fourth-rank martial artist at twenty.

A seated Hall Master at twenty.

“Rise.”

Wangchuan looked over the hall and said, “Old Seven received an emergency appointment and has been transferred to Heitu Commandery to take up the Hall Master’s position there. Hall Master Yin has received the same order as well.”

“As for me, by order of the Gang Leader, from this day onward, I will formally assume responsibility for all affairs of Sanhe Commandery Hall.”

Wangchuan displayed his Acting Hall Master token.

Everyone below immediately straightened.

They all knew that Wangchuan had returned from headquarters in the Capital.

This Acting Hall Master token could only have been forged at headquarters and personally issued by the Gang Leader.

That, without words, already proved how highly the Gang Leader intended to cultivate Wangchuan.

Not only the various people in charge, but even Lin Cunxin now felt far more restrained. He put away his smile and became serious and cautious.

“I summoned all of you here today for two reasons. One is to announce the news: I have now assumed office.”

“As for the second, it is the old rule.”

“A new official wields three fires.”

“From this day onward, every person in charge will submit a detailed monthly ledger, the exact amount turned in, the state of the personnel under your command, their cultivation progress, and your recruitment situation. Report once every half month to Deputy Hall Master Lin, and then Deputy Hall Master Lin will report it to me.”

“Yes!”

Lin Cunxin was the first to accept the order.

The others all followed suit respectfully.

The three fires of a new official had already been made plain.

Anyone who dared try to throw sand in the new Hall Master’s eyes on this matter...

Was courting death.

Wangchuan continued with his second order:

“From now on, the four Branch Helms will take on an additional task.”

“Dispatch a team to the dock halls in the waterways under your jurisdiction and secretly investigate every Beggar Sect business and all Beggar Sect personnel within Sanhe Commandery.”

Everyone’s heart tightened.

Unable to help himself, Lin Cunxin asked, “Hall Master, is this the Gang Leader’s will?”

Wangchuan glanced at him and replied, “Heitu Commandery and Shenyu Commandery suffered heavily at the Beggar Sect’s hands. Qinghe Commandery and our own Sanhe Commandery suffered as well. Sanhe Commandery must now prepare before the rain comes. We must make our arrangements in advance and prevent the Beggar Sect from quietly growing stronger.”

“Sanhe Commandery must never follow in Heitu Commandery’s footsteps.”

“I am giving you seven days to conduct a full sweep of the territory. I will personally dispatch men to determine the situation in the county seats outside the waterways. Seven days from now, anyone who cannot produce detailed intelligence will be demoted to a deputy post. And anyone who botches this task...”

His tone turned ice-cold as he spoke the final two words:

“Into the river.”

The moment those words left his mouth, everyone’s expression turned grave.

“Yes!”

“We obey!”

“The meeting is dismissed.”

With that, Wangchuan rose and left.

The various people in charge looked at one another in stunned silence.

So decisive?

Lin Cunxin said, “Why are you all still standing around?”

“Get back and do your jobs!”

“And remember this well. This meeting only announced Hall Master Wangchuan’s assumption of office. All tasks are to be carried out in secret. Anyone who leaks word of this will answer for it with his life.”

Lin Cunxin’s reminder immediately woke them up.

Everyone nodded and took their leave.

Only Wang Yuehui, the Acting Deputy Helm Leader, remained behind.

As for the seven dock halls along the Sanhe River waterways, every business and every person connected to the Beggar Sect had already been investigated with great clarity.

In Old Seven’s former courtyard, Wangchuan summoned Chen Ergou, Zhao Heiniu, Wang Yuehui, Lin Jiahe, Chen Gang, Li Xiangyang, Ye Baiyi, Yang Feiyue, and the others.

“Captain Zhao.”

“You are now a third-rank martial artist, and you are one of the Hall’s veterans. I want you to take charge of the Armory Manual Vault, the Hall, and the Weapon Room, and assume the position of Acting Deputy Hall Master.”

“This subordinate obeys!”

Zhao Heiniu agreed without the slightest hesitation.

Wangchuan then looked toward Wang Yuehui and said with a smile, “I am now the Hall Master of Sanhe Commandery. It would no longer be appropriate for me to continue concurrently serving as the Helm Leader of Sanjiang Branch Helm. From this day onward, you will serve as the Acting Helm Leader of Sanjiang Branch Helm. In due time, I will formally set you in place.”

Wang Yuehui was no longer merely his deputy and subordinate. He was also an employee of Sanjiang Studio.

“From this day onward, half of all revenue from Sanjiang Branch Helm will be turned over to the Hall. Of the remaining half, the portion owed will be turned over to the studio. Whatever remains after that, you may allocate at your own discretion.”

“This subordinate obeys!”

Wang Yuehui was beaming.

With this identity, position, and income, he could save at least sixteen hundred taels of gold each month.

Wangchuan then said to Chen Ergou, “Ergou, remain at my side. For the next period of time, focus all your efforts on breaking through to the third rank.”

“Yes!”

Although Chen Ergou had not been promoted, he understood perfectly well that his future place would be equivalent to Cui Mingjue’s former place at Old Seven’s side. He would become the Hall Master’s personal aide, Wangchuan’s representative in all things, and he was overjoyed.

“Lin Jiahe.”

“Your strengths are obvious, but your understanding of this Jianghu is still too shallow. I need you to break through to the fourth rank as soon as possible and become the secret weapon of my Sanhe Commandery Hall.”

“Yes. I will listen to Hall Master.”

Lin Jiahe nodded.

Originally, he had not cared about any of the in-game titles or positions at all. He had entered spirit realm only to cultivate internal methods. Now that he had obtained 《Xuanwu Art》, 《Dragon-Elephant Body-Protection Technique》, and 《Water Strider》, he was already more than satisfied.

“Chen Gang.”

“You have a real gift for teaching martial arts. From now on, here at the Hall, you will take up the post of Instructor and be responsible for teaching 《Bajiquan》 and 《Bajiquan Spear Technique》. On the studio side, you will take charge there as well. Have Li Na contact people to find you students. Perform well, and in time, I will get you a Lesser Rejuvenation Pill too.”

Chen Gang’s eyes lit up.

“Many thanks, Hall Master! This subordinate will absolutely not fail Hall Master’s expectations!”

During the journey back by ship, Wangchuan had already considered every talent under his hand and decided where each of them should go.

Then it was Li Xiangyang, Yang Feiyue, and Ye Baiyi’s turn.

Wangchuan looked first toward Yang Feiyue and said, “Old Yang, I am putting you in charge of purging Beggar Sect businesses and personnel. Li Xiangyang will assist you. Can you handle it?”

A sharp glint flashed through Yang Feiyue’s eyes as he answered without hesitation, “Hall Master, rest assured. This subordinate will see it done.”

Yang Feiyue had already sparred with Li Xiangyang in the training ground and knew that Li Xiangyang’s close-range assassination methods were exceptionally formidable. Among second-rank martial artists, very few could stand against him.

And with the Beggar Sect sub-branch already destroyed, cleaning out the remaining rabble would be simple.

At last, Wangchuan left Ye Baiyi for last and asked, “Baiyi, what harvest have you had lately?”

Ye Baiyi cupped his fists and proposed, “This subordinate used 《Snake Control Art》 in the mountains outside the city to capture a batch of snakes and release them onto the seventh floor of the studio. This subordinate requests permission to train several more new people in 《Snake Control Art》.”