Chapter 410: Captain Zhao Returns

“Deputy Hall Master Zhao!”

“Take Captain Bai to the Armory and let her choose two martial manuals. The rank does not matter.”

“Consider it Sanhe Commandery Hall’s way of thanking Captain Bai for coming to our aid.”

Wangchuan knew Bai Jingtang’s time was valuable, so he got straight to the point.

Bai Jingtang lifted a brow.

Back then, the promise had been one hundred taels of gold plus one niche martial manual. On the way back from this mission, she had already received a share of more than a hundred taels of gold, and now she was getting two more martial manuals on top of that.

“Very well.”

Bai Jingtang nodded and followed Zhao Heiniu to the Armory to collect the manuals.

Wangchuan then took the opportunity to announce the rewards for everyone who had participated in the mission.

All escort personnel below the Third Rank would be rewarded with two hundred taels of silver each. Any wounded would receive an additional three hundred taels of silver for medicine and recovery. On top of that, each person would also receive one martial manual.

As for the Third-Rank Martial Artists such as Zhao Heiniu, Lin Jiahe, Yang Feiyue, and Wang Yuehui, each of them would receive fifty taels of gold.

At that moment, Lin Jiahe opened the large chests behind him one by one.

Inside were twenty Yellow Dragon Bows;

twenty Heart-Piercing Crossbows;

twenty Thousand-Forged Longswords;

twenty Thousand-Forged Sabers;

ten sets of Thousand-Forged Battle Armor;

one chest containing ten thousand Refined Iron Caltrops;

and one chest of Armor-Piercing Crossbow Bolts.

The total cost had exceeded eleven thousand taels of gold.

All of it had been purchased from the Treasure Pavilion. The quality spoke for itself.

The moment the chests were opened, even Wangchuan could not help nodding repeatedly.

“Good stuff!”

“As expected, the weapons and equipment forged by the capital’s smiths are exquisite and of the finest quality.”

“The three of you, each choose something.”

“Consider it an extra reward for this mission.”

The moment Wangchuan said that, Lin Jiahe, Wang Yuehui, and Yang Feiyue all lit up with delight.

These weapons were far better than the Hundred-Forged weapons in their hands.

The Yellow Dragon Bow and the Heart-Piercing Crossbow, in particular, would greatly improve their ranged offense and defense.

“Hall Master.”

“One item per person?”

Wang Yuehui’s smile was radiant.

Wangchuan shook his head and smiled.

“One full set each.”

The three men flushed red with excitement.

Lin Jiahe immediately snatched up a set of Thousand-Forged Battle Armor and said in great excitement,

“A set of Thousand-Forged Battle Armor just like Hall Master’s. I’ve wanted one for ages. If we run into Fourth-Rank Martial Artists in the future, we’ll be able to stand against them too!”

Between the Thousand-Forged Longsword and the Thousand-Forged Saber, Yang Feiyue chose the Thousand-Forged Saber. When he swung it, the motion was smooth and the slicing sound through the air was swift and crisp.

“What a fine saber!”

Wang Yuehui held the Yellow Dragon Bow, drew the bowstring, and smiled with complete satisfaction.

“Thank you, Hall Master!”

“Thank you, Hall Master!”

Wangchuan nodded and said,

“The Hall earns no small amount every year, but only when that gold and silver are truly turned into strength for the Hall does it count as real improvement. Otherwise, in the end, all that money will simply fall into our enemies’ hands.”

“These pieces of equipment are being issued to you so that you can protect yourselves more effectively!”

“You are the backbone of the Hall, and at the same time, the pillars supporting Sanjiang Studio.”

“Consider these weapons and armor the studio’s year-end bonus for all of you.”

“Once you go back, train well.”

“Yes!”

“We will definitely not disappoint Hall Master’s expectations!”

The three of them answered in unison.

Everyone quickly changed into Thousand-Forged Battle Armor, armed themselves with Thousand-Forged weapons, slung Yellow Dragon Bows over their backs, and each took a Heart-Piercing Crossbow in hand. Fully armed, their presence became imposing.

Before long, Zhao Heiniu returned.

“Hall Master.”

“Captain Bai has already taken her manuals and left.”

“She asked me to pass a message to you. She said she still cannot leave things on her side for the time being, so she went back first. She says thank you for your goodwill and hopes there will be another chance to work together in the future.”

Wangchuan nodded.

He had actually wanted to bind Bai Jingtang and her entire studio to Sanjiang Studio, so they could grow together and further consolidate his position in Sanhe Commandery.

But the matters on Captain Bai’s side along the coast were not something she could wrap up quickly.

He did not want to force the issue.

In any case, he had already brought Guan Qifeng and Zhou Yunhai under his control.

“Oh, right.”

“Let me introduce two people to you.”

Wangchuan told Chen Ergou to bring the two men in.

Zhao Heiniu and the others all showed visible surprise.

They had not expected that there would now be two additional Fourth-Rank Martial Artists in the Hall.

Pointing at Zhou Yunhai, Wangchuan introduced them:

“This is Su Yun. This is Su Qi. From now on, they will serve as my personal guards.”

He then introduced Zhao Heiniu, Lin Jiahe, and the others in turn.

Both sides nodded in greeting, thus becoming acquainted.

Wangchuan also issued each of his two personal guards a set of Thousand-Forged Battle Armor and a weapon.

When Su Yun and Su Qi saw that they too had received the same armor and weapons as Zhao Heiniu and the others, their expressions softened slightly.

That gesture meant, without question, that Wangchuan was treating them as his own people.

That put them much more at ease.

“As for the remaining weapons and equipment, store them away for now. Ergou, you will be responsible for them. Once more brothers break through to the Third Rank, or when important missions arise, issue them as needed.”

“Yes!”

Chen Ergou accepted the order.

At that moment, Zhao Heiniu reported:

“Hall Master!”

“On this trip to the capital, this subordinate ran into Seventh Master. On the road, Seventh Master asked about the situation here in Sanhe Commandery, and I reported everything truthfully.”

“What did Seventh Master say to you?”

Wangchuan smiled. In truth, he missed Seventh Master as well.

Zhao Heiniu smiled faintly and said,

“He said that when he took up his post in Heitu Commandery, he had practically taken away all the Hall’s funds, and a great deal of manpower as well... He said that if he gets the chance in the future, he will make it up to us... He also said that this large order from the Dongfang Family had arrived like timely rain. Completing it would greatly help you establish yourself and build your prestige in Sanhe Commandery.”

Wangchuan had plenty of Gold Notes in hand, so he did not resent Seventh Master in the slightest, especially after having recently taken quite a number of Gold Notes from several Beggar Sect elders. He was in an excellent mood.

“He is right.”

“The Dongfang Family’s major shipment, together with the Secret Consignment, being delivered safely to the capital has indeed helped solidify our standing in Sanhe Commandery. There will be many more similar orders in the future.”

“But if we want to completely secure our footing in Sanhe Commandery, we still need to cultivate more martial artists, from the First Rank all the way to the Third.”

Wangchuan looked toward Yang Feiyue and the others and said,

“All of you should train well. I intend to establish one escort agency in every major county and gradually bring all overland transport within Sanhe Commandery under our control. When that time comes, I will need you to carry out many more missions.”

“Yes!”

Everyone answered in unison.

This mission had, in truth, also increased everyone’s confidence.

“Enough. You may all go attend to your work.”

“Captain Zhao stays.”

At Wangchuan’s order, everyone withdrew.

Only Zhao Heiniu remained in the main hall, standing before him.

“Hall Master.”

“Captain Zhao, you gained something else on this trip, didn’t you?”

Wangchuan still felt that Zhao Heiniu’s sudden improvement in 《Xuanwu Art》 was rather suspicious.

The latter looked slightly embarrassed as he explained,

“When the fleet was attacked midway by Beggar Sect men, this subordinate unexpectedly found a Lesser Rejuvenation Pill on one of the Fourth-Rank Martial Artists. So, while purchasing supplies in the capital, I took it and cultivated 《Xuanwu Art》, successfully pushing my Inner Art to Entry-Level Mastery.”

A smile appeared on Wangchuan’s face.

“That was some good luck. Who would have thought a Beggar Sect Outer Elder would still have a Lesser Rejuvenation Pill hidden on him?”

Seeing Zhao Heiniu’s strength improve made him very happy as well.