Chapter 420: Offending Two Hall Masters in One Breath

Wangchuan’s senses were sharp.

He caught every unnatural expression and reaction from the two Hall Masters standing beside him.

Including the inscrutable look in the Gang Leader’s eyes...

Wangchuan immediately realized:

These Hall Masters likely had their own problems as well.

Either they had concealed their true profits, just like Lin Cunxin had,

or their Halls had suffered badly in the Blood Moon Incident and had yet to recover.

But...

that had nothing to do with Sanhe Commandery.

Casting aside all distracting thoughts, Wangchuan said in a strong, steady voice,

“Reporting to Gang Leader.”

“Since the Blood Moon Incident, shipping operations in Sanhe Commandery have been running smoothly. Business at the various Sub-Helms, islands, and even the mining operations has all been proceeding normally.”

“Sanhe Commandery was required to turn in twelve thousand taels of gold for the second half of the year.”

“This is the portion Sanhe Commandery is submitting.”

Wangchuan took out a bundle of Gold Notes wrapped in oiled cloth from his robes and handed it to a Caobang disciple.

Then he took out another bundle wrapped in oilcloth and handed that over as well.

“After this subordinate took office, I learned that the Beggar Sect and the Five Poisons Sect had gathered at Kuaiji County and were preparing to reestablish a Branch Altar and a Branch Helm there. I therefore struck decisively. These are some minor spoils from that action, including one Lesser Rejuvenation Pill, two thousand taels of gold, and one bottle of refined Snake Venom from the Five Poisons Sect.”

Wangchuan lied through his teeth without batting an eye.

The two Hall Masters both raised their brows, glanced at this young Acting Hall Master, and revealed faintly mocking smiles.

Was it not Scorpion Elder who had died in Kuaiji County?

And he was offering Snake Venom as proof?

Did he take the Gang Leader for a fool?

Luo Tiancong naturally caught the inconsistency and asked,

“Was it not the Five Poisons Sect’s Scorpion Elder who died in Kuaiji County? What is the meaning of this Snake Venom? Falsely claiming credit is no small offense!”

Wangchuan hurriedly explained,

“The heads of Scorpion Elder and the Five Poisons Sect Branch Helm Master are both at the bottom of the Sanhe River, along with a group of Beggar Sect martial artists. This subordinate can also provide the exact location. If Gang Leader does not believe me, it can be verified at any time.”

“And further!”

“Through them, this subordinate learned that a retired Beggar Sect Elder Zheng was hiding within Sanhe Commandery and preparing to strike against our Hall. I therefore moved first and eliminated that Elder Zheng as well...”

The moment those words were spoken, a sharp light burst from Luo Tiancong’s eyes.

The two Hall Masters were both visibly shaken, and once again sized up the young Acting Hall Master before them in disbelief.

They knew about the death of Qiu Dahong from the Beggar Sect Main Altar, but that retired Elder Zheng was no simple figure. Even now, he still carried no small amount of influence within the Beggar Sect.

“The Beggar Sect’s Elder Zheng and Qiu Dahong of the Main Altar were both killed through your schemes?”

Luo Tiancong looked intrigued.

Wangchuan nodded.

“That is correct.”

“What an Acting Hall Master of Sanhe Commandery indeed.”

“You have already cleansed almost all of the Beggar Sect’s open and hidden forces from Sanhe Commandery. Now it is truly difficult for them to gain a foothold there.”

Luo Tiancong suddenly burst into laughter.

To him, this was rare good news after the Blood Moon Incident.

At a time when all the Halls were under pressure, Sanhe Commandery had actually suppressed the Beggar Sect’s influence to the utmost, almost completely purging it from the territory.

That gave him a gratifying sense of washing away past humiliation.

But Luo Tiancong did not forget the most important matter at hand.

He glanced at the Gold Notes Wangchuan had turned in, then shifted his gaze toward the two Hall Masters beside him, who had lowered their heads without realizing it.

“Xiangyun Commandery. Nandian Commandery. Tell me this... Why is it that Sanhe Commandery only needed two months to fill the gap, while your two great commanderies cannot even plug a hole this small?”

...

The two Hall Masters had never imagined they would run into a bane like Wangchuan at this moment.

Rotten luck.

The two men dropped to one knee and cupped their fists in apology.

“This subordinate is incompetent!”

“This subordinate awaits Gang Leader’s punishment.”

“This subordinate will strive to fill the shortfall after spring begins next year!”

“Yes!”

“This subordinate will atone through meritorious service next year and make up the deficit.”

Since they were already in the wrong, all they could do was admit fault.

“Mm.”

“I’ll keep it on the books for you—fifteen thousand taels of gold for one, and thirteen thousand taels for the other.”

With that, Luo Tiancong waved a hand.

“You two may withdraw first.”

With a single sentence, the deficit they were required to make up jumped from a mere one or two thousand taels of gold to the entire shortfall for the half year. Their expressions turned ugly, but they did not dare utter a word and obediently withdrew.

It was obvious.

This was the Gang Leader’s punishment for them.

If a newly appointed Acting Hall Master could handle matters properly, then these veteran Hall Masters...

Hmph!

They had to be punished severely.

Wangchuan sighed inwardly.

He had come to the capital to make his report, yet with a single sentence had managed to offend two Hall Masters.

What rotten luck.

“Wangchuan.”

“You have done well in Sanhe Commandery.”

“I did not misjudge you. You truly do have the ability to stand on your own.”

“Since that is the case...”

“As a reward, I will formally remove the word ‘acting’ from your title. From today onward, you are the Hall Master of Sanhe Commandery! I hope you will not forget your original intentions and will continue to do your utmost to guard Sanhe Commandery for me!”

“Yes!”

Wangchuan was overjoyed and bowed in thanks. “Many thanks for Gang Leader’s cultivation and support! This subordinate will certainly do everything in his power to watch over Sanhe Commandery and not fail Gang Leader’s trust.”

“Mm.”

Luo Tiancong smiled and said,

“You have rendered meritorious service in slaying Beggar Sect Elder Zheng, so I reward you with one Fifth-Rank martial art.”

“If you have nothing else to report, then withdraw. With the year’s end approaching, the stability of the regional Halls is more important than anything else.”

“Reporting to Gang Leader, this subordinate still has one more matter.”

“The Deputy Hall Master of Sanhe Commandery, Lin Cunxin, has died. This subordinate wishes to recommend a Helm Master under my command to take over the position of Deputy Hall Master!”

“In addition, the disciples of the Hall rendered considerable service in the incidents involving the Beggar Sect and the Five Poisons Sect in Kuaiji County. This subordinate wishes to apply for Fourth-Rank martial art rewards on their behalf!”

“This is the list of names.”

Luo Tiancong waved a hand.

“Merits are counted one by one. Qiu Dahong, the Beggar Sect Branch Altar, the Five Poisons Sect Branch Helm Master, and Scorpion Elder count as four merits on your record, so I reward you with four Fourth-Rank martial manuals. No more than that...”

“As for your recommended candidate for Deputy Hall Master, make the arrangement yourself. I will not interfere.”

Luo Tiancong was surprisingly agreeable.

With a broad gesture, he granted four Fourth-Rank martial manuals and allowed Wangchuan to go to the Armory himself to choose and copy them.

Wangchuan thanked him, then left the Main Council Hall and, under Lin Zhentao’s guidance, went to the Armory.

“Congratulations, Hall Master Wangchuan. You have officially become the Hall Master of Sanhe Commandery!”

Lin Zhentao congratulated him along the way, his smile sincere.

“Let us both share in the good fortune.”

In high spirits, Wangchuan smoothly slipped him a gold ingot.

When they arrived at the Armory, they once again met that Elder Cao, the nephew of the Gang Leader’s wife.

When Elder Cao heard from Lin Zhentao that Wangchuan had officially taken over as Hall Master of Sanhe Commandery and had become the youngest Hall Master in Caobang’s history, shock flashed through his eyes. After offering congratulations, he did not dare be negligent and allowed Wangchuan to enter and choose his martial arts himself.

Wangchuan made a round through the Armory.

He picked one suitable martial art each for Zhao Heiniu, Chen Ergou, Wang Yuehui, and Yang Feiyue,

and for himself, he chose a Strength-based art, 《Mountain-Splitting Staff Art》.