Chapter 392: A Windfall from Heaven

On the second floor of Treasure Pavilion, Wangchuan found a few more good items.

Refined Iron Caltrops: Consumable Item (100/100)

Armor-Piercing +1, Attack +10;

Each one would punch a bloody hole clean through.

Wangchuan stopped in front of them.

After finishing his training in 《Flying Dragon Hand Technique》, what he currently lacked was precisely a bag of Iron Caltrops. He had not expected to find Refined Iron Caltrops with an Armor-Piercing attribute here. They were not bad at all.

“How much?”

“For this, I can make the decision and give you one bag for free, sir. But if you wish to buy more, they’ll be priced at one tael of gold per bag.”

Wangchuan secretly clicked his tongue in amazement.

One hundred Refined Iron Caltrops worked out to one tael of silver per caltrop.

This really was throwing money at people.

“All right. One bag is enough.”

Wangchuan was already fully armed and did not want to hang even more pouches from his body.

“Certainly.”

The Treasure Pavilion clerk was very good at reading the room. He really did gift him a bag of Refined Iron Caltrops, then enthusiastically continued introducing other weapons and equipment.

“Sir, perhaps you’d like to take a look at our sabers. The Scarlet Tempered Saber is light in the hand, but its toughness is astonishing. Not a trace of blood will cling to the blade. It is a genuine masterpiece from a true master smith…”

Just as the clerk was speaking with growing excitement, Lin Zhentao came looking for him.

“Hall Master Wangchuan!”

“The Gang Leader requests your presence!”

Wangchuan froze.

The Gang Leader?

What was going on?

He hurried down to the first floor, only for Lin Zhentao to seize him and drag him toward the door in great haste.

The Treasure Pavilion clerk, being sharp-eyed, quickly brought over the Autumn Water Sword and even offered to buy Wangchuan’s Thousand-Forged Longsword at market price.

Their after-sales service was excellent.

Gripping the Autumn Water Sword, Wangchuan followed Lin Zhentao out of Treasure Pavilion.

“Brother Lin, what exactly is going on? Why would the Gang Leader suddenly summon me? Did you report my movements to him?”

“When a living person like you leaves headquarters, of course we have the duty to report it.”

Lin Zhentao spoke as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

“However, I heard it seems something happened over in Heitu Commandery and Shenyu Commandery. Prepare yourself.”

Those words immediately sent Wangchuan’s thoughts racing.

He stopped halfway down the street and said, “If something happened in Heitu Commandery and Shenyu Commandery, what does that have to do with me? Why don’t you go back and tell the Gang Leader that I’ve already left the Capital?”

He had no intention whatsoever of getting entangled in the troubles of Heitu Commandery or Shenyu Commandery.

Those places were far too dangerous.

“Hall Master Wangchuan, please don’t make things difficult for me. If you’ve left the Capital or not, the Gang Leader will know the moment he asks around. Then none of us will be able to bear the consequences.”

Lin Zhentao hurriedly tried to calm him.

“Besides, the Gang Leader cannot be so muddle-headed as to throw you alone into Beggar Sect territory…”

Half doubtful and half unconvinced, Wangchuan followed Lin Zhentao back to the Caobang.

It was his second time entering the main discussion hall.

Gang Leader Luo Tiancong’s expression was extremely grim.

Two people were already standing respectfully below.

They were both old acquaintances.

One was Elder Hu Weicheng, and the other was Hall Master Yin Xingtian.

“Gang Leader.”

“Wangchuan has been brought.”

From the doorway, Lin Zhentao called out carefully.

“Let him in.”

Luo Tiancong’s voice came from inside.

Wangchuan steeled himself and stepped into the main discussion hall. Under the gaze of Hu Weicheng and Yin Xingtian, he walked to the rear, cupped his fists, and bowed respectfully.

“This subordinate, Wangchuan, greets the Gang Leader.”

He noticed at once that Hu Weicheng and Yin Xingtian were both looking at him strangely.

There was admiration there, and envy as well, along with a measuring look that seemed full of unspoken meaning.

Luo Tiancong gave a cold snort.

“You certainly were leaving in a hurry.”

“You cultivated here for a month, then tried to walk out without so much as a word.”

“The Gang Leader handles countless important affairs every day. This subordinate did not dare disturb you. This subordinate knows his fault.”

Wangchuan had already prepared his answer on the way here. He explained himself while simultaneously admitting fault.

Luo Tiancong cast a glance toward Yin Xingtian and said, “Hall Master Yin, since you were the one who recommended him, you can explain to him what has happened and what decision the gang has reached.”

“Yes!”

Yin Xingtian cupped his fists in acknowledgment, then turned to the bewildered Wangchuan with a smile.

“Some things have happened in Heitu Commandery and Shenyu Commandery. The Gang Leader has decided to strip Wu Sanlei and Jin Zhixian of their positions as Acting Hall Masters. I, together with Old Seven, will be going there to take up those Hall Master seats.”

The instant those words were spoken, Wangchuan’s eyes widened in shock.

Old Seven was leaving!

The entire rotten mess of those two halls had been handed over to Hall Master Yin and Old Seven!

Why?

Wangchuan stared at Gang Leader Luo Tiancong in disbelief.

Yin Xingtian continued, “The Gang Leader cherishes talent and intends to give you an opportunity. He will temporarily appoint you as the Acting Hall Master of Sanhe Commandery, placing all matters of Sanhe Commandery entirely in your hands.”

“The Gang Leader has heard that you originally offered your pledge of loyalty to Hall Master Yin, and that it was Hall Master Yin who approved your entry into the Caobang. Therefore, the Gang Leader also asked Hall Master Yin about the matter… Hall Master Yin has agreed to let you take over Sanhe Commandery, to see whether you have the ability to independently hold a hall.”

In an instant, overwhelming joy flooded Wangchuan’s chest.

Hall Master of Sanhe Commandery!

He was about to become the Hall Master of the Sanhe Commandery hall!

His thoughts spun wildly, and in that instant he thought of a hundred things.

The Gang Leader’s decision to transfer Old Seven away from Sanhe Commandery was clearly because he wanted a capable man to join Hall Master Yin and stabilize the situations in Heitu Commandery and Shenyu Commandery.

Both of them were Hall Masters. Both had experience and ability, and together they had already resolved the crisis in Qinghe Commandery once before.

What Wangchuan could not understand was why Elder Wan Xiwen’s disciple had not been recommended.

Half of it was clear, and half of it remained a puzzle.

After hesitating for several breaths, Wangchuan heard Yin Xingtian remind him, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Why are you not thanking the Gang Leader?”

Elder Hu Weicheng also chimed in at the side.

“Indeed, Hall Master Wangchuan. From this moment on, you will become the youngest seated Hall Master in the entire history of the Caobang. You must not fail the Gang Leader’s intention to cherish talent.”

“This subordinate thanks the Gang Leader for his cultivation!”

“Wangchuan will absolutely not disappoint the Gang Leader’s expectations!”

Wangchuan dropped to one knee and bowed in heartfelt thanks.

Luo Tiancong’s face remained stern as he said, “To hold a hall means dealing with all manner of incidents. You are still young, and by rights you ought to continue tempering yourself in the position of Deputy Hall Master. But I have observed your conduct while studying and cultivating at headquarters during this period. You are indeed a talented and capable young man, steady of temperament and worth nurturing. Therefore, I am making an exceptional promotion and elevating you to the position of Acting Hall Master of Sanhe Commandery. I hope you can produce results.”

Those words finally eased the knot in Wangchuan’s heart.

So during his time at headquarters, he had not gone unnoticed by the Gang Leader after all…

His chest stirred with emotion.

“This subordinate will remember the Gang Leader’s teachings!”

“This subordinate will absolutely not fail the Gang Leader’s cultivation!”

“Mm.”

Luo Tiancong rose and walked down personally. He placed a token of Acting Hall Master into Wangchuan’s hands, then took out a pill box specially made to hold a Lesser Rejuvenation Pill and set it atop the token.

“Now that you have cultivated to the fourth rank, this Lesser Rejuvenation Pill may serve to protect your life.”

“This Gang Leader hopes you will not become another useless wretch like Wu Sanlei and Jin Zhixian. Do not forget your original heart. Manage Sanhe Commandery well, and continue winning glory for the Caobang.”

“This subordinate obeys!”

Wangchuan held the token and the Lesser Rejuvenation Pill with both hands and shouted his acceptance with his head lowered.