Chapter 315: Old Seven’s Poisonous Palm

When Cui Mingjue said that Old Seven intended for him to temporarily take over the duties of Deputy Hall Master Zhao Jinshan—managing the personnel dispatch of the Main Hall as well as the Armory Manual Vault, Weapon Room, and the infirmary dispensary—Su Wangchuan immediately became deeply interested.

Leaving aside how much profit might be involved, the position of Deputy Hall Master was a true powerhouse position within the Sanhe Commandery hall. It would allow him to access far more of the Caobang’s core intelligence and secrets.

He might even gain access to the Armory Manual Vault and the Weapon Room.

The advantages of the Armory Manual Vault went without saying. Perhaps he could take the time to search through it carefully and see if he could find more niche martial arts manuals.

The Weapon Room also had its benefits.

After all, he himself had come from there.

At present, his 《Hundred-Refined Steel Forging Technique》 had already reached Integration Mastery, making further progress extremely difficult. He hoped to find the more advanced skill 《Hundred Ingenious Thousand-Forging Technique》 within the hall’s Weapon Room.

Thinking of this, he immediately stopped resisting the idea. Without hesitation, he set off with Cui Mingjue for the Commandery Office to meet Old Seven.

The journey was calm and uneventful.

After being repelled twice, the Beggar Sect seemed to have lowered its banners and quieted down, no longer stirring up trouble.

Su Wangchuan and Cui Mingjue chatted pleasantly along the way until they arrived at the hall and met Old Seven.

When they finally saw Old Seven, he was not in the council chamber but in his own courtyard. His eyes were tightly shut, and a faint expression of suppressed pain could be seen on his face.

Seeing Old Seven in this state, Su Wangchuan was greatly alarmed.

“Old Seven!”

“What happened?”

Cui Mingjue lowered his head gloomily and said,

“The Third-Rank challenger sent by the Beggar Sect practiced the Fourth-Rank martial art 《Poison Sand Palm》. Old Seven traded injury for injury and gouged out one of the man’s eyes, but he also suffered a strike from the opponent’s poisonous palm.”

“This kind of poisonous palm is extremely vicious. Combined with internal force, it drives the poison into a person’s meridians and into the five internal organs. Over time, it becomes life-threatening.”

“Our gang originally had two experts skilled in 《Poison Sand Palm》 who could have come to help remove the poison. But since the Blood Moon incident, one has died and the other was severely injured. Old Seven has not been able to receive help in time to expel the poison. The toxic force has already spread throughout his body. Now he can only rely on Divine Physician Shen to suppress it while waiting.”

Cui Mingjue’s words shocked Su Wangchuan.

He had always believed Old Seven’s injuries were minor—or that he had already recovered. He never imagined it had all been an act, performed for outsiders so that the world would believe everything was fine, thereby securing peace for the Sanhe Commandery hall.

At this moment, if the outside world learned that Hall Master Old Seven was gravely injured and Zhao Jinshan had been sent to the capital with severe wounds…

Then the entire Sanhe Commandery would not have a single figure capable of holding the situation together.

Su Wangchuan felt a chill run through his heart.

The Beggar Sect might very well send experts to massacre the Sanhe Commandery hall.

At that moment, he finally understood.

Old Seven had arranged for him to act as Deputy Hall Master for two reasons.

On one hand, the hall urgently needed the combat power of a Third-Rank Martial Artist to stabilize the situation.

On the other hand… it was also likely for Old Seven’s own protection.

Su Wangchuan frowned deeply, his mood complicated.

He had never expected the situation in the Sanhe Commandery hall to deteriorate to such an extent.

Just then, Old Seven opened his eyes. His somewhat clouded gaze fell upon Su Wangchuan beside Cui Mingjue.

“Wangchuan… you have come?”

“Old Seven!”

“Your subordinate…”

Su Wangchuan stepped forward and bowed.

“No need for formalities.”

“The poison of this 《Poison Sand Palm》 is extremely domineering. Although Divine Physician Shen has already applied medicine, my eyesight is growing increasingly blurred. It is becoming rather useless.”

Old Seven’s expression remained calm. Even now, his tone still carried the commanding presence of a hall master and a detached acceptance of life and death.

“Old Seven should focus on recovering. If there is anything you require your subordinate to do, please give the order.”

Su Wangchuan replied.

“Among the four Helm Leaders, only you, Wangchuan, give me peace of mind.”

Seeing Su Wangchuan seemed to reassure Old Seven somewhat. He slowly closed his eyes again and continued,

“You handled Luo Laoqi’s challenge to the Sanjiang Branch Helm very well. At least our Caobang did not lose face in Sanhe Commandery. You preserved the reputation of our hall… and bought us some time.”

…

Su Wangchuan listened respectfully.

Old Seven continued,

“I originally believed I could hold on until the gang’s experts arrived to remove the poison. I did not expect matters to become even more complicated. One of those experts died and the other was gravely injured. They cannot even protect themselves now, let alone come here. My body has endured these past few days, but it is worsening with each passing moment… I cannot keep hiding it forever.”

“So for the coming period, you will appear in my stead. Dispatch the Main Hall’s forces and temporarily shoulder Deputy Hall Master Zhao Jinshan’s responsibilities.”

“Your subordinate is willing to serve Old Seven!”

Su Wangchuan clasped his fists in reply.

Old Seven paused slightly. His chest rose and fell as he steadied his breathing.

“Let me explain Zhao Jinshan’s duties to you… He commands a group of men, ranging from First-Rank to Second-Rank Martial Artists, roughly more than thirty in total. They are skilled fighters he has recruited from the martial underworld over the years. Their combat strength is quite good. Any difficult tasks can be assigned to them.”

“As for the Armory Manual Vault, we have strict regulations. Just follow the rules.”

“Cough… cough…”

Old Seven’s poisoning was clearly severe. After speaking only for a short time, he already seemed exhausted.

Su Wangchuan suddenly felt as though the Sanhe Commandery hall was standing on the brink of collapse.

He certainly did not want to become the tallest figure there.

That would be far too dangerous.

“As for the Weapon Room, you understand it well enough. Handle it as you see fit.”

“And regarding the infirmary dispensary, the person there is one of our honored retainers. Be polite. If possible, do not interfere.”

“Yes!”

After hearing Old Seven finish, Su Wangchuan responded respectfully.

“Your subordinate will familiarize himself with the affairs of the Main Hall as quickly as possible and ensure no mistakes occur.”

“I am still confident in your abilities.”

After entrusting Zhao Jinshan’s duties to Su Wangchuan, Old Seven seemed to breathe a great sigh of relief.

He continued,

“The Beggar Sect should be watching our hall closely, waiting for something to happen to me. If I remain unseen for too long, they will definitely make a move. You must also be vigilant and devise countermeasures. Delay them for as long as possible. I have already sent a secret message requesting reinforcements and hope that Hall Master Yin can return to take command. But Hall Master Yin has currently been transferred to another commandery. It will likely take some time before he returns.”

…

Su Wangchuan nodded silently.

“Old Seven can rest assured. Your subordinate will do everything possible to ensure the safety of the Main Hall and prevent the Beggar Sect from threatening our Sanhe Commandery hall.”

He quickly grasped the key point.

Once Hall Master Yin Xing tian returned to take command, the Sanhe Commandery hall would become as secure as a fortress.

His task was simply to protect the Main Hall.

Old Seven opened his eyes again and nodded with approval.

“It is good that you understand the crux of the matter.”

“Go attend to your duties.”

“I must rest for a while.”

Old Seven waved his hand slightly, clearly fatigued.

“If there is anything you need, you may ask Cui Mingjue to assist you.”

“Yes!”

Su Wangchuan clasped his fists and withdrew.

The moment he stepped out of the courtyard, he saw two Caobang disciples carrying several items—a robe woven with gold and silver threads, a piece of soft armor, a Thousand-Forged steel saber, and a Thousand-Forged token.

They stood respectfully and called out,

“Lord Wangchuan! These were prepared for you by the Hall Master!”