Chapter 449: The Yan Family Arrives

The Main Helm Pier was lively beyond measure.

Everyone was in high spirits.

At this moment, Wan Xiwen’s prepared finishing flourish suppressed even the crackling of the firecrackers, and the announcement of headquarters’ rewards carried clearly into every ear:

“The Sanhe Commandery Hall is among the earlier halls of our Caobang to complete the spring-departure mission. The maiden voyage was a success, and I, Wan, am here on behalf of headquarters and the Gang Leader to offer congratulations!”

“And at the same time!”

“In light of the fact that, during the spring departure, Hall Master Su Wangchuan led the brothers of the hall in slaying the notorious outlaws ‘Zhuang Xuyan’ and ‘Lin the Big Smoke Fiend,’ fought bravely, defended the hall to the death, wiped out those who stormed the compound, and upheld the prestige of the Caobang, the Gang Leader has granted special rewards!”

The crowd turned solemn and pricked up their ears.

“Every casualty of the Sanhe Commandery Hall will receive an additional compensation payment of ten taels of gold!”

“All Caobang disciples who took part in the escort will receive an additional ten taels of gold and one martial arts manual!”

“Deputy Hall Masters ‘Wang Yuehui’ and ‘Zhao Heiniu’ are rewarded with two fourth-rank martial arts manuals: 《Water-Moon Sword Art》 and 《Cloud Ladder》.”

“As for the third-rank martial artists ‘Chen Ergou,’ ‘Yang Fusheng,’ ‘Ye Baiyi,’ ‘Lin Jiahe’... and the others, each is rewarded with one fourth-rank martial arts manual, 《Water-Moon Sword Art》.”

At last,

Wan Xiwen looked toward Su Wangchuan.

“As for Hall Master Su Wangchuan, he is rewarded with one sixth-rank martial arts manual, 《Thirteen Overlapping Waves Spear》, three Lesser Rejuvenation Pills, and three thousand taels of gold... Congratulations, Hall Master Su Wangchuan.”

Su Wangchuan immediately cupped his fists in return and replied in a ringing voice:

“Many thanks for the Gang Leader’s reward! Many thanks, Elder Wan!”

The moment his words fell, another wave of thunderous cheers erupted across the dock plaza:

“Many thanks, Gang Leader!!!”

“Many thanks, Elder Wan!!!”

“Congratulations, Hall Master!!!”

Wan Xiwen’s expression shifted slightly.

He had not expected that Su Wangchuan not only possessed such astonishing martial talent, but also commanded such overwhelming influence in the hearts of all the Caobang disciples in the hall.

The spring departure ceremony came to a perfectly triumphant close.

The group returned to the hall.

Amid the crowd, Wang Yuehui, Lin Jiahe, and the others escorted two women and one young man, who seemed somewhat out of place, into the hall and headed straight for the courtyard that had already been prepared for them.

They were none other than Su Wan, Yan Xiaobei, and Madam Yan.

“The Hall Master still has to receive Elder Wan first. Madam, Xiaobei, please wait here for a moment...”

“This courtyard was prepared for you by the Hall Master. Shall I show you around first?”

Wang Yuehui brought his younger sister along to help host them.

Madam Yan gave a faint nod, her spirits low.

After all, her husband was dead, the sky had collapsed above her, and now her only remaining thought was to keep her eyes on her son and see him grow up safely, without any further calamity.

Yan Xiaobei was eighteen, tall and handsome, with a trace of Yan Tiannan in his features. He seemed to have emerged somewhat from his grief. Since disembarking, he found everything fresh and interesting, and he was the first to stand up and follow Wang Yuehui on a tour of the courtyard.

“This courtyard is huge.”

“It’s much bigger than where we lived in the Capital.”

“Brother Wang, how many courtyards does our hall have in total?”

“Twelve in all.”

“This place used to be where our boss lived when he was serving as Deputy Hall Master... Later it was used by Deputy Hall Master Zhao. Now it’s been specially vacated for the two of you. Deputy Hall Master Zhao is staying in the same courtyard as me now, so it’s actually quite convenient.”

Wang Yuehui smiled and said,

“From now on, just think of this place as your home.”

“...”

Only then did Yan Xiaobei and Madam Yan understand why the courtyard was so spacious.

This had originally been the residence of the Deputy Hall Master of the Sanhe Commandery Hall.

Before Yan Tiannan died, he had left Su Wangchuan a great fortune, even going so far as to hand over all of his spirit realm assets and the entire Warring States Game Studio...

And now, Su Wangchuan had repaid that kindness in turn, sending people to bring them back from the Capital and arranging for them to live in the Deputy Hall Master’s courtyard.

“Thank you.” “Thank you very much.”

Wang Yuehui smiled.

“The Hall Master and Elder Wan likely still have some matters to discuss, so he probably won’t have time to come greet you just yet. I’ll take you around the hall a bit more. Oh, and these are your identity tokens. From now on, you may come and go from the hall freely.”

Wang Yuehui had already prepared everything on this side.

...

Su Wangchuan and Wan Xiwen were speaking behind closed doors.

After handing over all the reward items to Su Wangchuan, Wan Xiwen finally turned to the main matter:

“Su Wangchuan, you truly did our Caobang proud this time by thwarting the Beggar Sect’s scheme. The Gang Leader is very pleased!”

“But the Beggar Sect lost a Zhuang Xuyan this time, which means the loss of one seasoned fifth-rank martial artist, as well as four Outer Elders. I’ve heard they are furious.”

“In particular, the blow dealt to them over in Qinghe Commandery was even heavier. Our Caobang made its move, the authorities made their move, the Lu Family made its move, and even some major figures behind the scenes chose that moment to stab the Beggar Sect as well. As for the batch of people thrown into prison, they can forget about ever coming out in this lifetime.”

“The Beggar Sect doesn’t dare move against the authorities, nor does it dare target the Lu Family. We believe that once they calm down, they will most likely focus their efforts on your Sanhe Commandery Hall.”

“So!”

“In truth, aside from 《Thirteen Overlapping Waves Spear》, the Gang Leader also had me bring you another sixth-rank palm technique, 《Cloud-Driving Palm》!” Wan Xiwen pulled out yet another martial arts manual from his robes and handed it over to Su Wangchuan.

Su Wangchuan’s eyes lit up with delight, and he accepted it with both hands.

“Many thanks for the Gang Leader’s protection and favor! Please help this subordinate relay a message back to him—Su Wangchuan will definitely carry out his duties diligently, guard the Sanhe Commandery Hall well, and never disappoint the Gang Leader’s expectations.”

“Mm.”

Wan Xiwen smiled, then changed the subject.

“In fact, the Gang Leader also had me bring you a secret order. He hopes that, just as you assisted Qinghe Commandery, you can also assist the Weihai Commandery Hall in striking the Beggar Sect’s sub-branch forces there, and strive to help Weihai Commandery suppress the Beggar Sect.”

At those words, Su Wangchuan’s expression stiffened slightly.

Were they trying to drag all of the Beggar Sect’s hatred onto him?

Still, Su Wangchuan did not refuse. Instead, he replied with careful wording:

“This subordinate will do his utmost.”

“This subordinate will first try to understand the movements of the Beggar Sect disciples in Weihai Commandery... and once an opportunity appears, I will strike.”

“Good!”

Wan Xiwen patted Su Wangchuan’s arm excitedly and rose to his feet.

“I knew it. Su Wangchuan, your abilities are exceptional. You would never decline! The Gang Leader and I will wait in the Capital for your good news!”

“Elder Wan is leaving already?”

“I still need to make a trip to Weihai Commandery and inform the Hall Master there.”

Wan Xiwen said,

“Before the fifteenth day of the seventh month this year, we must do everything we can to reverse the situation, restore our control over the major commanderies, and drag the Beggar Sect down!”

“Time is pressing! I won’t stay any longer. Once the fifteenth day of the seventh month has passed this year, I will definitely come to Sanhe Commandery and have a proper drink with you!”

With that, Wan Xiwen departed.

At the moment of parting, Su Wangchuan still slipped a gold note worth one thousand taels into Wan Xiwen’s hand.

Wan Xiwen accepted it with a pleased smile, then departed by boat from the pier.

When Su Wangchuan returned to the hall, Chen Ergou led him to find Yan Xiaobei and Madam Yan.

After touring the hall, the two had ended up at the training grounds.

Yan Xiaobei seemed to really enjoy the feeling of practicing together with everyone else. Under Zhao Heiniu’s instruction, he trained with great seriousness and did not even notice Su Wangchuan’s arrival.

“A first-rank martial artist?”

“Yan Tiannan’s son has only barely cultivated himself to the First Rank?” A puzzled look appeared in Su Wangchuan’s eyes.