Chapter 282: Bestowed the “Lesser Rejuvenation Pill”
On the river on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, mist lingered over the water, refusing to disperse.
Caobang ships sailed into the Sanhe River. Before long, the crew could no longer see what lay ahead, behind, or to either side. They could only follow the flow of the current toward Sanhe Commandery.
Because of a single prohibition issued by the Caobang, most vessels were forbidden from sailing or conducting trade on this day. The river was desolate and empty. Occasionally, a cold wind swept across the water, carrying a chill that seemed to seep into the bones.
Wangchuan stood on the deck of the large ship in full gear, his expression grave.
Although he had brought all the Second-Rank members of the Branch Helm with him this time—including arranging for Yang Feiyue to stay inside the ship’s cabin—he still felt deeply uneasy.
The middle of the seventh month.
The Blood Moon Incident.
Those words pressed upon him like towering mountains, leaving him no room for carelessness. Since boarding the ship, he had pushed his five senses to their limits, afraid that he might miss even the slightest unusual disturbance.
Yang Feiyue sat inside the cabin, equally vigilant, not daring to relax in the slightest.
Fortunately, Hejiang Town was not far from the prefectural city. No accidents occurred along the way.
After docking, Wangchuan left most of the men on the ship and personally brought Chen Ergou and Zhao Heiniu to the hall to attend the meeting.
The prefectural city was just as lively as usual, with crowds coming and going. There was nothing abnormal.
However, the number of Martial Artists in the city had clearly decreased by quite a bit.
Wangchuan frowned slightly.
The group headed straight for the hall.
“Helm Leader Wangchuan, Old Seven is in the council chamber.”
A disciple at the entrance spoke.
Wangchuan nodded and left Chen Ergou and Zhao Heiniu outside.
The moment he stepped into the council chamber, Wangchuan’s body trembled.
The chamber was packed with people.
The leaders of the Four Helms, Three Islands, and Seven Mines had all arrived.
Two Deputy Hall Masters and the Acting Hall Master, Old Seven, stood at the front, surrounding a middle-aged man with an imposing appearance.
“Hall Master Yin!”
Wangchuan stared in astonishment.
He had never expected that at this particular moment he would encounter the former Hall Master Yin at the hall.
Hall Master Yin wore a broad smile, yet his gaze had already passed through the crowd and settled on the young Helm Leader entering from the back. The corner of his mouth curved slightly upward.
“Good.”
“Helm Leader Wangchuan has arrived as well.”
“Everyone is here. Let us begin the meeting.”
Everyone took their seats.
As one of the four Helm Leaders, Wangchuan’s seat was positioned relatively close to the front.
After sitting down, everyone’s gaze instinctively gathered on Hall Master Yin. Their emotions were stirred with excitement, because this man had been the true helmsman of Sanhe Commandery for many years.
Wangchuan noticed that even Old Seven looked spirited and energetic, showing not the slightest hint of frustration at being sidelined.
Hall Master Yin...
was indeed formidable.
“This time, I returned to the hall on behalf of the Gang Leader and the Deputy Gang Leader to see all of you, and also to deal with some lingering matters from past years.”
“Old Seven.”
“Yes, sir.”
Old Seven bowed slightly, adopting the posture of a loyal subordinate who obeyed every command.
“In the half year since I left, you have managed the Sanhe Commandery hall quite well. I heard that in the conflicts with the Five Poison Sect, the Crimson Pavilion, and the Beggar Sect, you demonstrated the authority of the Caobang. The Gang Leader was very pleased to hear of it.”
The moment those words were spoken, everyone in the hall turned their gaze toward the same person.
Wangchuan.
The one who had foreseen the identities of the assassins and helped the hall wipe out the Crimson Pavilion killers who attempted retaliation was Wangchuan.
Later, the one who killed the Five Poison Sect’s branch helm leader and humiliated Zhang Ye, the Beggar Sect’s sub-branch master, was also Wangchuan.
If the leaders of the Four Helms, Three Islands, and Seven Mines had merely fulfilled their duties and contributed their labor,
then Wangchuan undeniably possessed real merit.
“Wangchuan.”
Old Seven called out his name and said with a smile,
“Step forward.”
Wangchuan immediately stood up. Facing Hall Master Yin, he clasped his fists respectfully.
“Your subordinate greets the Hall Master!”
“You handled those matters involving the Crimson Pavilion, the Five Poison Sect, and the Beggar Sect quite well. As expected of the man I personally valued and ultimately promoted. You did not make me lose face.”
Yin Xingtian nodded with satisfaction.
“Since you have brought honor to me, I will, on behalf of the Gang Leader, reward you with a 《Lesser Rejuvenation Pill》.”
The moment those words fell, all the leaders present—including the Deputy Hall Masters—revealed looks of envy and congratulated Wangchuan one after another.
“Congratulations, Helm Leader Wangchuan!”
“The Lesser Rejuvenation Pill is a precious medicinal pill from the Shaolin Temple. It greatly increases cultivation speed. After taking it, completing a single Full Circulation Cycle is equivalent to more than ten times your normal training!”
“With the Lesser Rejuvenation Pill assisting the cultivation of the 《Black Tortoise Art》, one day of training equals half a month of bitter cultivation!”
“Helm Leader Wangchuan, the Hall Master has given you an extremely generous reward.”
“Exactly. Some people on the market offer fortunes for it and still cannot obtain one. Every time it appears at auction, the starting price is at least two thousand taels of gold.”
“...”
Hearing these words, Wangchuan became both excited and exhilarated. Dropping to one knee, he said:
“Thank you, Hall Master, for your generous reward!”
Yin Xingtian smiled faintly. Old Seven personally carried over a small box and handed it to him.
Wangchuan received it with both hands, a burning gleam flashing through his eyes.
Lesser Rejuvenation Pill: (Blue Grade) Medicinal Pill
Increases the cultivation speed of internal power for twelve hours.
After consumption, the user must circulate their internal cultivation method as soon as possible to absorb the medicinal effects.
(Each grade is limited to three pills.)
Holding the 《Lesser Rejuvenation Pill》, Wangchuan returned to his seat, wishing he could immediately swallow it and circulate his internal energy to accelerate the experience progress of the 《Black Tortoise Art》.
But now was not the time.
For Yin Xingtian to come to Sanhe Commandery at this moment, there must be a reason.
He had just mentioned unresolved matters from the past...
Could it be related to last year’s Blood Moon Incident?
Sure enough.
Yin Xingtian indeed mentioned the Blood Moon Incident.
“Today is the fifteenth day of the seventh month. The Gate of Ghosts opens.”
“According to the offering master Liu within the gang, when the Blood Moon descends tonight, something very ominous will occur. All halls must suspend shipping operations and remain stationed at their halls awaiting orders.”
Yin Xingtian spoke slowly, yet every word struck clearly against the chest of everyone present.
Everyone unconsciously straightened their posture and listened even more attentively.
Yin Xingtian continued:
“When the Blood Moon descended last year, it came suddenly. We were completely unprepared. More than a dozen experts disappeared and remain missing to this day.”
“This year, the hall must spare no effort to cooperate with the government authorities to uncover the origin and truth behind the Blood Moon.”
“Therefore, when all of you return to your respective territories today, keep your distress signal flares with you at all times. If any abnormality or danger arises, immediately launch the signal. The hall will dispatch reinforcements at once.”
By the time Yin Xingtian finished speaking, Wangchuan had already understood.
Yin Xingtian had actually been arranged by the Caobang to personally sit in command of Sanhe Commandery.
Old Seven only possessed Third-Rank cultivation.
Yin Xingtian, however, was a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist.
With a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist overseeing Sanhe Commandery, the situation would naturally be far safer.
Of course...
It was also possible that after the Blood Moon Incident passed, Yin Xingtian would naturally resume the position of Hall Master.
Sitting in his seat, Wangchuan’s thoughts churned.
Yin Xingtian announced the end of the meeting.
Everyone received a batch of signal rockets before standing up and departing one after another.
Wangchuan led his men back to the Sanjiang Branch Helm.
The wind on the river had grown colder.
Far colder than it should have been in the height of summer.