River Gang, Wanyan Shun

Wang Yue carried a cloth sack containing stone slabs as he walked along the streets of Changyun County.

On both sides of the street, Wang Clan disciples could be seen everywhere. Some squatted by the roadside, faces dark as they used hoes to dig up the ground, scattering dirt along the street.

Others were surrounded by townsfolk arguing with them. The people looked utterly baffled, tugging at the disciples' sleeves and demanding to know why they were digging pits outside their homes.

Still others entered residences facing the street. Rather than stopping them, the owners hurriedly greeted them with cupped hands, their faces piled with polite smiles. They had clearly received word in advance.

As Wang Yue walked and watched, he inwardly marveled. The Clan Head said that "the entire county has already been taken care of." It seems that was no empty claim. Aside from the uninformed common folk who would try to stop us, the great households and gang factions had all learned of this beforehand.

He avoided the arguing crowds and headed west along the street.

About half an hour later, an imposing residence came into view. Above its vermilion gates hung a black plaque, its three large golden characters reading "River Gang." Two gang members stood guard at the entrance with long sabers in hand, their gazes sweeping over passersby with undisguised contempt.

Within Changyun County, the River Gang was second only to the Wang Clan. It had more than a thousand members and controlled not only the county's water transport docks, but also more than a dozen shops throughout the city. More importantly, three Energy Refining Realm experts held the fort within the gang, giving it formidable strength.

Wang Yue drew a deep breath, carried the cloth sack forward, and cupped his hands toward the guards. "Brother, I have come on my Clan Head's orders to bury some items within your esteemed gang's territory. I ask that you report my arrival."

The gang member was in his twenties and had an honest-looking face. Hearing Wang Yue's words, he was at a loss for a moment. He scratched his head, his eyes blank. He was only an ordinary gang member and had never heard anything about the Wang Clan sending someone to bury things.

Just as Wang Yue was about to explain again, the gang member suddenly slapped his forehead as though something had struck him. His eyes lit up. "Oh! I remember now! The Hall Master specifically instructed us this morning that if anyone from the Wang Clan came, I was to report it at once! Please wait, I'll go report it immediately!"

Without waiting for Wang Yue's response, he turned and ran into the compound, shouting as he went, "Someone from the Wang Clan is here! Someone from the Wang Clan is here! Hurry and get the Hall Master out here!"

Standing at the entrance and listening to his shouts, Wang Yue did not know whether to laugh or cry. These people of the martial world truly acted far more directly than the great households. Even reporting a visitor was done with such fanfare.

Had it been some scion of an aristocratic family in the city, he would likely have politely asked about Wang Yue's identity first, then gone off at a leisurely pace to make the report. That was perhaps the distinctive difference between martial world folk and the great households.

Inside the compound, the gang member ran all the way across the training ground in the front courtyard and charged straight toward the Hall Master's study in the rear courtyard. The gang members he passed all glanced at him in surprise, but none dared stop him.

He kicked open the study door and rushed, panting, to the desk. He shouted at the middle-aged man reading there, "Hall Master Wanyan! The Wang Clan... the Wang Clan sent a huge, brawny brat who says he wants to bury things in our gang!"

That middle-aged man was Wanyan Shun, a Hall Master of the River Gang. He was around forty, tall and powerfully built, with resolute features and a dark blue martial outfit. At the gang member's shout, his brows instantly furrowed. He set down his book, displeasure in his voice. "Running about in such a fluster—what kind of conduct is that?"

He tapped a portrait on the desk with his finger and said coldly, "Have you forgotten the portraits I showed you earlier, of the Wang Clan members in the city we need to watch out for? Who came? An ordinary Wang Clan disciple?"

The gang member froze under the questioning, stammering without being able to answer. He had let his mind wander when viewing the portraits that morning. He only remembered that they were Wang Clan disciples, not who exactly they were.

Just as Wanyan Shun's expression grew increasingly grim, the gang member's eyes suddenly lit up. He slapped his thigh. "I remember! It's Wang Daoling! That kid is tall and brawny, exactly like the man in the portrait!"

"Wang Daoling?" Wanyan Shun paused, then a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes as the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "Oh? So it's him."

Wang Daoling was the outstanding talent of the Wang Clan's younger generation and had always been regarded outside as the Wang Clan's representative. For the Wang Clan to send him personally to the River Gang this time clearly showed that they were giving the gang ample face.

Wanyan Shun rose, straightened his robes, and strode quickly toward the door. Before he had even left the study, his voice rang out ahead of him. "Isn't it merely a small matter of burying a few things? Nephew Daoling, for the Wang Clan to send you personally is far too formal!"

He walked briskly out through the gate, an enthusiastic smile on his face. But when he saw the person standing at the entrance, that smile instantly froze, and his face darkened at once. The man's build was similar enough—but how was that Wang Daoling?

Wanyan Shun abruptly turned back and shot the gang member behind him a vicious glare, his gaze ice-cold. The gang member shuddered from head to toe, hurriedly lowered his head, and did not dare utter a word.

Watching the scene before him, Wang Yue understood at once. The gang member had likely mistaken him for someone else. Suppressing his amusement, he stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Wanyan Shun. "Hall Master Wanyan need not be angry. Senior Brother Daoling and I are both Wang Clan disciples, and our features do bear some resemblance. It is only natural that he mistook me."

Only then did Wanyan Shun's expression ease slightly. He examined Wang Yue carefully, and the longer he looked, the more familiar Wang Yue seemed. Then he suddenly recalled the rumors that had recently spread throughout the county.

A trace of astonishment flashed through his eyes. "You... you are Wang Yue? I never expected you to be the Wang Clan's rising star. We have heard no few tales of you in the city."

"They are not worth mentioning." Wang Yue cupped his hands again. "May I ask this senior's honored name?"

Wanyan Shun nodded inwardly. Facing an Energy Refining Realm martial artist like himself, Wang Yue could remain neither servile nor overbearing. He was more than a little better than the young fools Wanyan Shun usually encountered, who knew neither the height of heaven nor the depth of earth. His favorable impression of Wang Yue immediately deepened.

He put away his earlier displeasure as well and returned the salute, his tone calm. "Wanyan Shun. I ask that Nephew Wang forgive the offense."

Hearing the name "Wanyan Shun," Wang Yue was slightly startled. He had heard Wang Shuo mention the River Gang's three Energy Refining Realm experts. Among them, Wanyan Shun was in the prime of life, his Blood Qi abundant and his power dense and vigorous. His Wave-Breaking Fist had been honed to a miraculous level!

Wang Yue cupped his hands again. "So you are Hall Master Wanyan. This junior is Wang Yue. Greetings, Senior."

Wanyan Shun saw that Wang Yue was respectful yet unafraid, and his favorable impression grew still stronger. A hearty smile appeared on his face as he waved a hand. "No need for such ceremony. We are all powers within Changyun City; we see one another whether we raise our heads or lower them. Why be so restrained?"

He stepped aside and made an inviting gesture. "The wind is strong outside. Nephew, come in and sit. Have a cup of tea, then we can discuss the matter of burying the items."

Wang Yue did not decline and followed Wanyan Shun through the River Gang's gates.

The scene inside was completely different from the stern grandeur at the entrance. They crossed the front courtyard's training ground, went around an artificial rockery, and came upon a lavishly decorated main hall. Golden silk was wound around its beams and pillars, while several landscape paintings and calligraphy pieces hung on the walls. Though they were not works by famous masters, they still carried a touch of elegance.

The floor was paved with polished marble, bright enough to serve as a mirror.

More than a dozen rosewood tables and chairs stood in the hall. Their armrests and backs were carved with exquisite patterns, making it clear at a glance that they were worth a great deal.

"Nephew, please sit." Wanyan Shun walked to a rosewood chair beside the seat of honor and sat down, then pointed to the chair opposite him.

After thanking him, Wang Yue sat down. No sooner had he settled in than a gang member entered carrying a steaming pot of tea. He skillfully poured cups for the two men, then bowed and withdrew. The entire process was quiet and orderly, without the slightest trace of the coarseness one might expect from a martial world gang.

Wanyan Shun lifted his teacup and gently blew away the foam. His gaze fell on the cloth sack Wang Yue had placed by his feet, and he went straight to the point. "Nephew, are the things in that sack what you intend to bury within River Gang territory?"

"They are." Wang Yue answered softly. Without concealing anything, he picked up the sack and opened it, revealing the bluish-gray stone slabs inside. "These are the stone slabs carved with symbols. The Clan Head ordered that they be buried throughout the county."

Wanyan Shun set down his cup, leaned closer, and carefully examined the symbols on the slabs. His brows gradually drew together. The symbols were twisted and bizarre, resembling neither writing nor formation diagrams. In more than forty years of life, he had seen quite a few secret treasures and ancient texts, yet he had never encountered anything like them.

"These slabs look utterly ordinary. Aside from these strange symbols, I cannot see anything remarkable about them. What use could there be in burying them underground?" Unable to suppress his curiosity, Wanyan Shun asked, "Does Nephew know what these things are for?"

At those words, Wang Yue also frowned, helplessness appearing on his face. "To be honest, Senior, the Clan Head only ordered us to bury the stone slabs and specified the density and range of their placement. He did not tell us anything about their purpose. This junior does not know what they are for either."

He was speaking the truth. From the moment he received the task at the training ground until now, all he knew about the slabs was that one had to be buried every thirty meters. As for why they were to be buried and what effect that would have, he knew nothing at all.

Seeing that Wang Yue did not appear to be lying, the doubt in Wanyan Shun's eyes deepened. Still, he did not press further. Rumor had it that the Dragon Transformation Sect was secretly directing this matter. Since Wang Yue knew nothing, there was no use pursuing the question.

Changing the subject, he asked, "Then how should these slabs be buried? Must they be placed in designated locations, or can they simply be buried wherever suitable?"

"The Clan Head only said that one slab should be buried every thirty meters. No particular locations were specified, so long as the area is covered."

Wang Yue answered truthfully, "However, each slab must be buried in a pit half a foot deep. The slab must be laid flat inside, then covered properly with soil. It cannot be left exposed."

After all, once Wang Yue began burying them, only a blind man would fail to notice the River Gang's people watching. There was no need to lie.

Wanyan Shun nodded, then called toward the outside of the hall, "Someone come!"

Very soon, a gang member clad in a gray martial outfit entered and bowed. "Hall Master, what are your orders?"

"Take ten brothers, along with hoes and shovels, and bury one stone slab every thirty meters throughout our River Gang grounds and the surrounding three streets," Wanyan Shun instructed blandly. "Remember, dig pits half a foot deep. Lay the slabs flat, tamp down the soil after burying them, and leave no trace for others to see."

"Yes!" The gang member answered respectfully and turned to gather men.

"Wait!" Wang Yue suddenly spoke up. Rising to his feet, he cupped his hands toward Wanyan Shun. "Hall Master Wanyan, let me do it myself. This is a task entrusted to me by the Clan Head. How can I trouble the brothers of your gang?"

He had never intended to trouble anyone else in the first place. Moreover, the purpose of the stone slabs was unclear. Letting River Gang members bury them on his behalf did not seem quite right.

But Wanyan Shun waved a hand and smiled. "Nephew, there is no need to stand on ceremony. It is only the small matter of burying a few stone slabs. Why should you do it yourself?"

He paused, his tone carrying deeper meaning. "Besides, the three surrounding streets must be covered as well. That is no small area. If you work alone, I fear you will be busy until dark. More importantly, the troublesome commoners on those streets do not understand such matters. They might dig the slabs back up. If I have my men bury them, they can keep watch over them as well and save us a great deal of trouble."

Wang Yue's heart stirred at this. Wanyan Shun had a point. Burying the slabs across ten streets by himself would indeed take much time and effort. And if the townsfolk grew curious and dug them up, he would have to find and bury them again, making things even more troublesome.

The River Gang's influence in the area ran deep. Having its members bury and watch over the slabs was indeed the best choice.

He no longer declined and cupped his hands toward Wanyan Shun in thanks. "If that is the case, then I must thank Hall Master Wanyan. This junior is deeply grateful."

"It is merely the effort of lifting a hand." Wanyan Shun laughed heartily and raised his teacup. "Nephew, have some tea first. Once the brothers are ready, I will take you to inspect the burial locations. Rest assured, I will have them follow your requirements exactly. Nothing will go wrong."

Wang Yue nodded and lifted his cup for a sip. The tea was rich and sweet, clearly an excellent brew.