Chapter 291: Heavy Losses

Dawn broke in spirit realm.

News from the Caobang spread quickly across the nearby waterways.

Within the territory of Sanhe Commandery, the docks of nearly a dozen county seats had been attacked by the blood fog—except for Huishui County.

The dock halls of the major gangs all suffered severe damage and heavy casualties.

In addition, among the four branch helms of the Caobang in Sanhe Commandery, only the Sanjiang Branch Helm survived.

The Main Helm, the Leishui Branch Helm, and the Jinhe Branch Helm were all wiped out. The three Helm Leaders and several Deputy Helm Leaders were nowhere to be found—neither alive nor dead.

Merchants who needed ships to transport their goods could not find anyone in charge, while the dock laborers stared blankly at the sealed branch helms, at a complete loss. All shipping operations had ground to a halt.

The three islands…

Only a group of terrified disciples remained. They had fled deep into the mountains and forests to hide. It was not until Caobang disciples arrived on the islands that they timidly boarded boats and followed them to the Prefectural Government.

In a single night, the Caobang’s power in Sanhe Commandery had been drastically weakened.

Yin Xingtian temporarily arranged for a group of people to take over the three branch helms. Even Cui Mingjue, a trusted subordinate under Old Seven, was ordered to assume the position of Helm Leader of the Leishui Branch Helm.

The purpose was to restore the Caobang’s shipping operations as quickly as possible.

But the Caobang had not only lost the personnel of its own branch helms. The dock halls across three waterways—more than a dozen of them—had all run into serious trouble.

Su Wangchuan received a carrier pigeon message from Old Seven.

As the only branch helm among the four that still retained normal operational capability, it was imperative for them to ensure that the dock halls along both the upstream and downstream waterways resumed operations as quickly as possible.

Naturally, Su Wangchuan did not dare delay the task entrusted by the Hall Master. He immediately summoned his people for a meeting.

“In the downstream waterways, we have three dock halls: Heilong County, Huishui County, and Rong County… At present, it is confirmed that the dock halls of Rong County and Heilong County are gone. Only Lin Xun managed to hold the dock hall in Huishui County. As for the Water Stronghold, we have already lost contact with it.”

“Bai Yuhui.”

Su Wangchuan gave the order decisively.

“I will assign you two First-Rank Martial Artists, four full-fledged Martial Artists, and twelve Quasi-Martial Artists. I will also temporarily transfer forty dock laborers to you. Take them to Heilong County and rebuild the dock hall there. Do you have any problems with that?”

“This subordinate will certainly not disappoint the Helm Leader’s expectations!”

Bai Yuhui had clearly prepared in advance. He had already gathered personnel and made preparations for departure.

Su Wangchuan nodded, then turned his gaze to Hong Kaibao.

“With the same arrangement, who wants to go to Rong County and take charge of the dock hall there?”

Back when Bai Yuhui and Hong Kaibao had followed him to Huishui County before fighting their way to the Sanjiang Branch Helm, Bai Yuhui had shown flexibility and had a powerful backing.

Since he wanted to establish a dock hall to accumulate resources for his attempt to advance to Third-Rank Martial Artist, Su Wangchuan naturally would not treat Hong Kaibao unfairly.

Hong Kaibao’s eyes showed gratitude, yet he did not step forward to accept the order. Instead, he politely declined.

“Helm Leader, I would like to continue working under your command.”

Although Hong Kaibao was usually quiet, he clearly understood that people were not the same.

Bai Yuhui had been able to break through to the Second Rank so quickly and had already begun striving for the Third Rank because Captain Bai Jingtang supported and looked after him from behind.

Hong Kaibao himself had only managed to reach the Second Rank with great difficulty through the help of his senior brother. To independently command a dock hall? He knew very well that he did not possess that capability.

He neither had Bai Yuhui’s powerful backing, nor was he like his senior brother, who could swiftly control the situation while balancing both cultivation and making money.

Between cultivation and earning money, he could only choose one.

Hong Kaibao had seen Old Li and Heipi die. He had also witnessed the tragic destruction of Tianshui Village and personally experienced the death of Instructor Yu.

In the end, Hong Kaibao chose to remain in the Sanjiang Branch Helm, stay beside his senior brother, and continue cultivating.

Su Wangchuan was somewhat surprised when he heard this.

Chen Ergou and Zhao Heiniu were equally astonished.

Su Wangchuan looked around the room.

“Ergou and Captain Zhao will definitely remain here to serve me. Deputy Helm Leader Wang, what about you? Would you like to—”

Before Su Wangchuan could finish speaking, Wang Yuehui declined.

“Helm Leader, I know my own limitations. I am not capable of standing on my own yet. I would prefer to remain under your command and continue serving you.”

Wang Yuehui had even less ambition. Especially after witnessing the appearance of the blood fog and the destruction of the three branch helms, he had no desire to go out and take risks.

As a result, every Second-Rank Martial Artist declined for various reasons to assume responsibility for the Rong County dock hall.

Yang Feiyue rubbed his nose and sighed.

The Yulong Gang truly had become increasingly unpopular.

“If there is really no one available, let Fei Zai take over Rong County.”

Yang Feiyue recommended,

“Fei Zai is an old member of the Yulong Gang and understands both the internal and external affairs of the sect thoroughly. He can take charge of the Rong County dock hall while also handling matters for the Qingfeng Escort Agency.”

“Fei Zai… that could work.”

Su Wangchuan nodded silently.

Fei Zai was a First-Rank Martial Artist and was quite familiar with the waterways in that area. He could quickly reestablish the dock hall.

“Good. That settles the matter of the downstream waterways.”

Next came the upstream waterways.

“There are still several dock halls upstream. Captain Liu, take a trip and see whether the two dock halls there can operate normally… Report back before noon today.”

“Yes!”

The captain of the second squad, Liu Suifeng, clasped his fists in acknowledgment and departed with his men.

Yang Feiyue said to Su Wangchuan,

“This Blood Moon Incident has dealt the Caobang a devastating blow. Not only must we restore the shipping operations as soon as possible, but we must also guard against challenges caused by the gang’s weakened strength. Once the news spreads, the water bandits across the three waterways will likely take advantage of the situation and strike while we are down. During this period, the shipping operations must not be careless. Otherwise, petty villains will seize the opportunity, goods will be lost, and we will have to compensate for the losses.”

Yang Feiyue’s reminder was extremely timely.

If people began to believe that the Caobang had grown weak, endless troubles would soon follow.

A solemn expression appeared in Su Wangchuan’s eyes.

Losing goods and paying compensation would be minor matters. Wasting time and being distracted, thereby affecting his cultivation, would be the real problem.

He immediately nodded.

“You are right to remind me.”

“I will make the arrangements at once. Starting today, all shipping escorts will be doubled! At the same time, we will increase the Caobang’s patrol fleets along both the upstream and downstream sections of the Sanhe River.”

Yang Feiyue smiled.

“That will ensure everything is secure. Fortunately, the Helm Leader previously trained enough Quasi-Martial Artists and full-fledged Martial Artists for the branch helm. Our branch helm now has ample manpower. With the forces of the Qingfeng Escort Agency assisting with escort duties and patrols, there will be no problem at all.”

“Mm.”

An army trained for a thousand days was meant to be used in a single moment.

The advantage of having abundant manpower revealed itself at this moment.

Su Wangchuan asked,

“There is still no news from the Water Stronghold. However, I suspect the situation there is probably grim. Gang Leader, should we take some men over there to check?”

“No.”

A trace of bitterness and helplessness flashed in Yang Feiyue’s eyes.

“The Caobang has suffered heavy losses and no longer has the strength to suppress the Beggar Sect. The Beggar Sect’s forces in Sanhe Commandery will likely seize this opportunity to rise again and grow stronger. At a time like this, we absolutely cannot give them any excuse. I should remain quietly at the branch helm and wait for the Caobang to recover its strength.”

“Besides, I am no longer the Gang Leader of the Yulong Gang. The Yulong Gang and I… no longer have any connection.”

Although he said those words aloud, a sense of desolation still lingered in his heart.