Chapter 273: Ambition and Cooperation

Yang Feiyue had sharp eyes.

Even though he had already stepped down from the position of Gang Leader of the Yulong Gang and had become merely a physician in the infirmary of the Sanjiang Branch Helm, he still keenly perceived that Wangchuan was a man with great ambition.

The Sanjiang Branch Helm earned one hundred taels of gold every day.

If it were anyone else, they would either indulge in wine and women or spend large sums of money currying favor with the hall and the higher-ups, hoping to climb further up the ranks.

But Wangchuan did neither.

He did not indulge in pleasure houses, nor did he pursue extravagant displays. He had never shown any intention of moving toward the Prefectural Government hall either. Every day, aside from training, he focused on developing the Sanjiang Branch Helm, occasionally recruiting batches of reserve disciples to strengthen the branch helm’s pool of talent.

Yang Feiyue had learned that Wangchuan would even rather spend silver on his trusted followers, purchasing martial arts manuals for them. He would even personally spend time guiding disciples such as Li Qing and Zhang Yao through their martial arts bottlenecks.

A helm leader who possessed great wealth, yet devoted himself diligently to cultivation, managed the branch helm tirelessly, secretly expanded his forces, and selflessly helped disciples improve their cultivation and strength…

If such a man had no ambition, Yang Feiyue would never believe it.

He knew Wangchuan was the same kind of person as himself—someone filled with ambition.

The only difference was this.

He himself was already past fifty.

Wangchuan was only twenty years old.

That was precisely why he had chosen the Sanjiang Branch Helm as his shelter.

A twenty-year-old Second-Rank Martial Artist who possessed talent, ambition, patience, intelligence, and capability—placed in Huishui County or Hejiang Town—was nothing less than a dragon trapped in shallow waters. Sooner or later, he would soar into the heavens.

Yang Feiyue said to Wangchuan,

“Over the years, I have accumulated quite a few original copies of martial arts manuals. With just a word from you, all of them can be given to you. I do not mind helping you break out of Hejiang Town, ascend to the hall of Sanhe Commandery, or even stand at a higher position within the Caobang.”

It was obvious.

He was placing a bet on Wangchuan.

Wangchuan felt a surge of excitement.

He knew that the Yulong Gang possessed a batch of original martial arts manuals, all seized by Yang Feiyue through years of hard struggle. Combined with the martial arts from the Caobang Armory Manual Vault, they could rapidly cultivate Second-Rank Martial Artists.

With Yang Feiyue and those original manuals assisting him, the Sanjiang Branch Helm could cultivate a large number of Second-Rank Martial Artists within two years.

“Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Gang Leader.”

Wangchuan raised his teacup in place of wine and toasted Yang Feiyue.

Yang Feiyue smiled.

“You saved my life. From now on, this old man will follow you. If you remain in the Sanjiang Branch Helm, I will remain here as well. If you go to the Prefectural Government, I will follow you there. We are tied together like grasshoppers on the same rope. Only if you grow stronger can I enjoy a peaceful old age.”

“Rest assured, Gang Leader. As long as I, Wangchuan, am here, you will never be treated unfairly.”

Wangchuan made his promise.

“Good!”

Yang Feiyue beamed with satisfaction.

“If you ever need any martial arts manuals in the future, just tell me.”

“It is a deal!”

With that, the two men solidified their alliance, binding themselves together even more closely.

“Oh, right.”

Yang Feiyue suddenly added a reminder.

“There is an escort agency in Hejiang Town that seems to be under Zhang Cha’er’s name. I heard that after Zhang Cha’er died, the escort agency became leaderless and completely ceased operations.”

…

Wangchuan froze for a moment before understanding.

“Gang Leader, are you suggesting we take over that escort agency and place our own people inside?”

“The Qingfeng Escort Agency in Huishui County is currently lacking leadership. After the Yulong Gang suffered its heavy losses, Lin Xun and the others have not been paying much attention to the escort agency. As a result, many of its members have left the hall and returned to the agency.”

“I think we might as well recruit them all and merge the two escort agencies into one.”

“The Sanjiang Branch Helm already has a considerable number of disciples. There are more than four hundred reserve disciples alone. If this continues, even the Prefectural Government hall may eventually be overshadowed by you. Having an escort agency under your control will help avoid certain troubles.”

Yang Feiyue’s calculations were meticulous.

“The Qingfeng Escort Agency still trusts you and me. If you send a letter to He Yuanxin, he will surely come to join you immediately.”

Wangchuan nodded.

“Alright.”

“I will arrange for someone to acquire the land deed of the escort agency in Hejiang Town right away.”

Since it had been Zhang Cha’er’s property, the documents were probably in the hands of Zhang Cha’er’s subordinates.

Those men still had leverage hanging over their heads. They would not dare refuse.

Very soon, the land deed was delivered.

Wangchuan purchased the escort agency at market price.

Afterward, he arranged for Chen Ergou and Fei Zai to travel to the Qingfeng Escort Agency in Huishui County.

There were even fewer problems on that side.

Since Yang Feiyue had said the Qingfeng Escort Agency would not resist, it meant the agency had not been doing well recently.

Lin Xun generously released the men.

More than twenty capable fighters from the Qingfeng Escort Agency arrived in Hejiang Town early the next morning.

Just as Yang Feiyue had predicted.

After the dramatic upheaval of the Yulong Gang, without Yang Feiyue and Wangchuan presiding over it, the gang had lost much of its former vigor.

Lin Xun and the others were fully occupied with restoring the shipping operations and could hardly take care of the escort agency. Without sufficient income, life there had become difficult. When they received Wangchuan’s letter, they immediately came to pay their respects.

These men had all once served under Wangchuan and trusted him greatly. Under He Yuanxin’s leadership, they all signed on with the Qingfeng Escort Agency in Hejiang Town, establishing it as the agency’s main headquarters.

Wangchuan instructed Chen Ergou to help the Qingfeng Escort Agency quickly establish itself. Some of the less essential shipping tasks would be prioritized for the agency so that its reputation could be built up.

That day, the official news finally released a report regarding the riot at Red Moon Plaza.

They claimed that a technology company had been developing a mechanical device called “Lingyu.” However, the product had developed neurological malfunctions. Those who had been detained displayed even more severe negative reactions, leading to mental breakdowns and even casualties.

At present, the company’s legal representative had been taken away for investigation, and the company itself had been taken over. The authorities and insurance companies would provide treatment and compensation to those affected while conducting a detailed analysis of the product.

…

The truth about spirit realm had indeed been concealed.

Wangchuan was not surprised in the slightest.

Su Wan had already told him that it was not yet time for 《spirit realm》 to be publicly revealed.

The groundwork had not yet been fully laid.

That evening, Su Wan called him to inform him that arrangements had already been made to take over all members of Red Moon Studio and reorganize their work.

The coal mine that Red Moon Studio had secured had now fallen into the hands of the three major studios.

The Red Moon Studio gold-farming team had been severely ostracized and targeted, forcing them to leave Rong County.

Su Wan suggested that the Caobang Sanjiang Branch Helm absorb some of them to reduce the pressure on the studio.

As compensation, the studio would provide a Third-Rank martial arts manual.

Wangchuan refused.

After a round of bargaining, they eventually reached an agreement: three Third-Rank martial arts manuals in exchange for accepting one hundred and fifty members of the Red Moon Studio gold-farming team.

“Hmph.”

“With this batch of people reinforcing the dock, I can conveniently transfer some of the reserve disciples to receive training under Captain Zhao.”

“Su Wan, this time you did not manage to take advantage of me.”

Wangchuan felt rather pleased with himself.

…

75th Floor.

Standing before the floor-to-ceiling window, Su Wan held her phone and spoke with a relaxed smile.

“All the people from Red Moon Studio have been properly arranged. You can now fulfill your promise regarding the Fourth-Rank martial arts manual.”