Chapter 76: River Bandits

When Wang Ce regained consciousness, it was already midday on the second day.

Ning Xiu heard the news and went to bid farewell to Wang Ce, arriving just as Wang Ce’s direct disciple was reporting something to him.

From a distance, Ning Xiu saw Wang Ce’s brows tightly furrowed, and then an expression of deep indignation appeared on his face.

Whatever the issue was, it was clearly an internal affair of the Great River Guild. As a Grand Elder of the Bamboo Grove Society, Ning Xiu did not find it appropriate, nor did he wish, to inquire.

He offered his farewells to Wang Ce and was about to leave when Wang Ce suddenly called out to him.

“Ning, my friend?”

Hearing the shout behind him, Ning Xiu stopped and turned back to look at Wang Ce, noticing the hesitation on his face—he was clearly struggling with something internally.

Though he had only known Wang Ce for a day, Ning Xiu could already tell that he was a frank and forthright man. Seeing him like this now, it was obvious that he was truly in a difficult situation.

“Is there something you need?” Ning Xiu asked.

Wang Ce looked up at Ning Xiu, hesitated for a moment, then forced a smile and said, “I have a few ancient texts here, all relating to the Supreme Realm. Yesterday, I had someone make copies. Before you leave, take them with you.”

“And next time, let’s have a drink together again.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” Ning Xiu replied with a nod, then turned and left.

Not long after Ning Xiu departed, Wang Ce’s disciple came out from behind, hesitated, and finally could not help but say, “Master, weren’t you planning to ask him for help? Why didn’t you say anything?”

Wang Ce shook his head without a word.

……

After leaving the Great River Guild, Ning Xiu did not immediately head to the Qing Shuang Sect. Instead, following Wang Ce’s advice, he planned to return to the Bamboo Grove Society and consolidate his Grandmaster level.

On the way back, he happened to see an official notice posted by the authorities.

People crowded before the notice. Standing at a distance, Ning Xiu glanced at it and got the general idea. It warned about rampant river pirates lately and advised the populace to be cautious when venturing out to sea.

Upon seeing the notice, Ning Xiu’s eyes suddenly lit up.

Of course—such a simple thing, how had he not thought of it before?

If he could kill mountain bandits, why not river pirates as well?

Wasn’t the strange disturbance at Feng Shui Creek initially caused by the depredations of river pirates? Killing such people would weigh nothing on Ning Xiu’s conscience.

Receiving a pillow when drowsy—such serendipity was a kind of fate. If one failed to treasure it, it would be a shameful waste.

However, the Bamboo Grove Society hardly involved itself in river trade. Of the four great guilds, the Great River Guild’s foundation was this very domain.

With the Great River Guild maintaining order, the Jing River area had rarely seen any major pirate factions. But after the recent conflict between the supernatural and the noble families—a battle of immortals leaving mortals to suffer—the Great River Guild’s upper echelons were decimated, losing a third of their top ranks. Now, both their elite forces and manpower were gravely lacking.

This was the reason for the current surge in pirate activity.

After some consideration, Ning Xiu had a fair guess at what had made Wang Ce hesitate to speak earlier.

Yet since Wang Ce hadn’t asked, Ning Xiu would not offer help unprompted.

He hesitated briefly, then decided to visit the docks to observe the situation.

The docks were bustling. Due to the pirate scourge, merchants large and small dared not set sail lightly.

Each held up placards recruiting escorts, and swordsmen and warriors came and went along the wharf, sometimes approaching merchants to negotiate.

“What’s wrong with the Great River Guild? We’ve been paying their escort fees all along, but now with so many pirates, if they won’t protect us, how are we supposed to do business?”

“Exactly! The wealthy houses can afford private guards, but what about small traders like us?”

“I heard that just days ago, for reasons unknown, the Great River Guild lost five branch leaders and three guardians in a single night, not to mention countless other experts. They can barely protect themselves now—how could they protect you?”

“Ah, these are hard times. Who cares whether we live or die…”

……

“Brother, are you here to hire guards as well?”

Hearing the voice, Ning Xiu looked up and saw a middle-aged man before him.

He wasn’t that old, but looked especially haggard, his temples already touched with gray.

“With things as they are, to set sail safely you need at least several ranked experts, plus the cost of other guards. Folks like us simply can’t afford those fees,” the man said, clearly taking Ning Xiu for another struggling small merchant.

He looked Ning Xiu up and down and continued, “That’s why we small traders have banded together as a merchants’ association. You can join us. The costs for guards are split according to the value of goods each member transports.”

“I’m here to apply as a guard,” Ning Xiu replied with a smile. “Does your association need more escorts?”

The middle-aged man was stunned, evidently unable to connect this young man before him with the image of a martial expert.

Only when Ning Xiu produced the Retaining Divine Sword at his back did the man slap his head in regret, berating himself for missing such an obvious clue.

This so-called “association” was simply a group of small, unwanted traders banding together for mutual support. The pay they could offer warriors was nothing compared to that of the big merchants, and thus their pool of guards was limited. Nearly missing out on such an opportunity due to his own oversight, the man was naturally vexed.

“May I ask, young hero, what is your level of skill? Have you reached a ranked grade yet?” the man inquired cautiously.

Upon receiving Ning Xiu’s affirmative answer, he was overjoyed.

Still, out of prudence, he brought Ning Xiu to a burly, bearded man with a formidable presence.

This was the president of their “association,” surnamed Ye, given name Gang.

Ye Gang was both a member of the association and a martial artist—a ranked expert. In his youth, he had been competitive to a fault, which left him with injuries and forced his retirement. Now he ran a grain shop in Lingnan.

“President Ye, this young hero has come to apply as a guard,” the middle-aged man said.

Ye Gang nodded, then turned to Ning Xiu, his gaze sharp as a hawk’s.

“Ye Gang. On behalf of the association, I welcome you,” Ye Gang said, extending his right hand in a deep voice.

Ning Xiu took the offered hand, gripping it firmly, and replied with a gentle laugh, “Ning Xiu.”

Ye Gang stared hard at Ning Xiu. After a moment, he released his grip. Throughout, Ning Xiu’s expression did not change in the slightest.

“Is there anything else, President Ye?” Ning Xiu asked, looking up at him.

“Uncle Biao, take the young hero to rest in the A-marked cabin.”

“Understood.”