Chapter 383: Breaking Through to Fourth Rank

To the capital!

Wangchuan found Chen Ergou, Zhao Heiniu, Gao Quan, Lin Jiahe, Yang Feiyue, and the others, and informed them of the good news.

Everyone was excited.

“Hall Master!”

“Congratulations!”

“This trip to the capital means you’ve truly entered the Gang Leader’s field of vision.”

“In the future, you may very well be appointed Hall Master and sent to command a region!”

“Congratulations, Hall Master!”

Everyone was delighted.

Wangchuan nodded, smiling as he said to them,

“This time, I do not know how long I will be staying in the capital, so the Sanjiang Branch Helm and the hall will need all of you to watch over and protect them.”

“Hall Master, rest assured! This subordinate will definitely do everything in my power to look after the Sanjiang Branch Helm and the hall and will not let you lose face.”

The others all replied in turn.

Wangchuan said,

“Among the people we recruited this time, there are several third-rank martial artists...”

“These third-rank martial artists will be placed under Lin Jiahe’s command and formed into a separate team. I will ask Old Seven for permission, and after they carry out a certain number of missions, they will be granted 《Xuanwu Art》.”

With a single sentence, Wangchuan expanded the hall’s three teams into six!

“The rest of the people will be led by Ergou, Captain Zhao, Gao Quan, Old Yang, and Ye Baiyi.”

“Normally, if anything comes up, report it directly to Cui Mingjue and have him relay it to Old Seven.”

“Yes!”

“Chen Gang, Li Xiangyang, and Chen Dan, for the next stretch of time, you will go to the Sanjiang Branch Helm.”

Wangchuan had not forgotten to strengthen the Sanjiang Branch Helm either.

Zhao Heiniu asked worriedly,

“Hall Master, can you really not take a single person with you to the capital?”

Wangchuan smiled.

“The Caobang headquarters is full of experts. If I truly run into danger, whether you are there or not will make no difference at all...”

“...”

Everyone nodded.

Wangchuan continued,

“During the time I’m away, none of you may slack off either. Hurry up and train. Those who can push toward third rank must push toward third rank! By the time I return, I will certainly already be a fourth-rank martial artist. If the future brings a chance for me to take command of a hall, then all of you will be the strength I trust and rely on the most.”

“Yes!”

“Hall Master, rest assured. We absolutely will not slack off. We will do everything we can to break through to third rank!”

Thinking of the future, when their Hall Master would officially take command of a hall, their eyes lit up. They were all fired up, their voices rising with excitement.

Wangchuan then logged off and informed Wang Yuehui, Hong Kaibao, Bai Yuhui, and Li Na.

Li Na was naturally delighted that he would be going to the capital and heading to Caobang headquarters to study and cultivate. She said she would do everything in her power to assist Wang Yuehui, Hong Kaibao, Lin Jiahe, and the others in maintaining both the hall and the studio’s operations.

Wangchuan then took stock of what he had on hand.

Eighteen thousand taels of gold in Gold Notes;

a Heart-Piercing Crossbow and a concealed crossbow;

a Thousand-Forged Longsword;

Thousand-Forged Battle Armor;

the Yellow Dragon Bow;

a flexible sword;

two Lesser Rejuvenation Pills;

one bottle of Hundred-Poison Detoxification Pills;

and finally, one bottle of Snake Venom and one bag of poison sand.

Wangchuan could not sleep all night. After much thought, he ultimately went into his own courtyard and practiced 《Meteor Hammer》, pushing its Experience Value from 90/100 to 100/100.

“Ding!”

The system prompt sounded:

“《Meteor Hammer》 has advanced to ‘Minor Mastery.’ Reward: +1 Strength.”

His Strength Attribute finally crossed the eighty-point threshold.

All three physical attributes had now broken past eighty. He had officially stepped into Fourth Rank.

As a powerful current of heat spread through his entire body, a stream of heat seemed to rise from within his bones, flesh, blood, and meridians.

“Ding!”

The system continued prompting:

“Congratulations. You have officially broken through to become a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist.”

“Reward: +4 Free Attribute Points.”

“You have obtained the qualification to cultivate Fifth-Rank martial arts.”

Almost unconsciously, Wangchuan moved his limbs a little. Every gesture and motion felt more coordinated and fluid, and with the slightest movement he could produce faint air-splitting explosive sounds.

Wangchuan: Male (Hunger 77/100)

(Life Profession: Blacksmith)

(Combat Profession: Fourth-Rank Martial Artist)

Strength 80; Attack 26–27;

Agility 116; Defense 23.2; Speed +116;

Stamina 86; HP 860/860;

Spirit 29: Internal Energy 290/290.

Free Attributes: 12 (Unassigned)

A smile appeared on Wangchuan’s face.

Breaking through to Fourth Rank was something he had long been able to do. He had suppressed it for more than half a month.

So there was not much surprise in it.

After a faint trace of joy, what remained was calm.

He spent a little time adjusting to the strength and coordination of a fourth-rank martial artist, then continued practicing 《Meteor Hammer》.

Only when the pale light of dawn finally appeared at the horizon

did he hurriedly log off, eat a quick breakfast, and then head fully armed to the courtyard where Elders Wan Xiwen and Hu Weicheng were temporarily staying, standing at the door and waiting.

Wan Xiwen and Hu Weicheng soon finished their preparations and came out.

After breakfast, the three of them quietly left without disturbing anyone else in the hall and boarded a large ship that had long been waiting there.

This had all been arranged by Wan Xiwen.

The higher a martial artist’s rank, the less they wanted others to know their whereabouts.

Chen Ergou and the others could only stop within the hall and watch the group depart.

...

Once the three boarded the ship, it swiftly headed north.

Wangchuan acted on his own initiative and took responsibility for watching the movement along the waterway, standing guard and keeping watch for the two elders. He performed his duties with utmost diligence.

He only entered the cabin at mealtimes.

After a full day and night had passed, Wangchuan had not uttered a word of complaint. He remained conscientious and tireless throughout.

Wan Xiwen and Hu Weicheng saw all of this and felt even more pleased and appreciative.

“Wangchuan.”

“We have already entered the capital’s metropolitan waterways. From here onward, not only are there Caobang elite patrol fleets on this stretch of river, but also official patrol ships. No one on the road will dare make trouble. Come in and rest for a while.”

“That’s right.”

Hu Weicheng echoed him.

“Come in and rest a little. Let’s talk.”

Wangchuan cupped his fists.

“This subordinate obeys!”

Along the way, the river widened considerably, and from time to time they could see escort ships passing by. The atmosphere across all the ships and fleets visibly relaxed.

Wangchuan entered the cabin.

Wan Xiwen smiled and said,

“Wangchuan, you are from Sanhe Commandery, so this should be your first time coming to the capital, correct?”

“Elder, your insight is exact!”

Wangchuan answered with utmost respect, honestly clasping his fists as he spoke:

“This subordinate has never left Sanhe Commandery before.”

Wan Xiwen laughed aloud.

“The capital is far bigger than your Sanhe Commandery. The place is larger, the people are more numerous, the factions are tangled and complex, and experts are everywhere. Once you arrive, keep your edge hidden as much as possible and live with your tail tucked. Our Caobang has some face in various regions, but in the capital, there are simply too many people stronger than us.”

“Of course.”

“So long as we do not stir up trouble, others will not come looking for trouble with our Caobang either.”

Hu Weicheng smiled and said,

“Wangchuan has a steady temperament and knows how to hide his edge. He is not the sort to act recklessly. I’m at ease on that point.”

“Mm.”

Wan Xiwen nodded.

Wangchuan clasped his fists and kept his posture low and humble as he said,

“Whether it is the capital or headquarters, this subordinate is coming for the first time. There is much I do not understand, and I will need the two elders to guide me.”

Wangchuan stepped forward two paces and set down two gleaming Gold Notes.

When Wan Xiwen and Hu Weicheng saw the denominations of the two Gold Notes on the tea table, the brows and eyes of both men twitched, and their pupils widened slightly. Then, with practiced ease, they tucked the Gold Notes into their sleeves.

“Not bad.”

“I find myself liking you more and more.”

“Exactly, exactly... Wangchuan is young, but he is neither arrogant nor impetuous. He is eager to learn and knows how to humble himself. He is a clever one.”

“He is worth nurturing.”

A thousand taels of gold for each of them as a courtesy gift was no small amount.

The two exchanged a glance.

Wan Xiwen said,

“You are new to all this. Once we reach headquarters, stay by my side. I will arrange a courtyard for you there so that you can study and cultivate more easily, and also so that you can become familiar with the elders at headquarters.”

Wangchuan cupped his fists in thanks.

“Many thanks, Elder Wan!”

At this point, Hu Weicheng refused to be outdone and said,

“Wangchuan is now already a fourth-rank martial artist. What he most needs at the moment is a fifth-rank cultivation method. Once we arrive, we will first take you to see the Gang Leader and speak about what was gained from this martial tournament. Once the Gang Leader is in a good mood, we will naturally speak on your behalf and ask him to give you a chance to enter the Armory Manual Vault and study a fifth-rank cultivation method.”

“Many thanks, Elder Hu!”

Wangchuan lowered his head.

“I leave everything in the hands of the two elders!”