The Deal

In Dawu Country that year, the underworld was not exactly tranquil, especially the assassination business.

The second rank on the underworld power list, Hei Shanke, mysteriously died in a small county in the south. Hei Shanhu, who was publicly recognized as the first rank master below the Heaven Rank, immediately leapt to become a Heaven Rank Grandmaster.

As masters below the Heaven Rank yet the strongest warriors, the underworld power list became a hot topic that year, with many debating just who was the true number one master.

The small shop's doors and windows were all broken, the cold moon rays shone in, frigid wind and frost permeated within.

Lu Gaosheng with a calm expression, slowly lowered his trembling palms.

Was he not afraid?

Of course not.

But in order to overthrow Song YanShi, or more accurately, to overthrow Song YanShi for Bai Fang, for the sake of the two words 'Bai Fang', he Lu Gaosheng was willing to gamble everything.

He was very certain that Zhang San was the master he most needed right now. Without Zhang San's help, he had a 90% chance of failing to raid the 30 thousand bushels of grain being transported by Xu Guo.

If I can walk out alive from this book store tonight, then tomorrow...

The one who will definitely die is you, Song YanShi!

"Life is nothing more than choices, from birth to death, over and over again." Lu Gaosheng continued speaking breezily.

Staring at Zhang San, Lu Gaosheng said lightly: "There was once a man named Lu Qingming, he made a choice, unfortunately he chose wrongly, otherwise there wouldn't be me. But from another perspective, he also chose correctly, otherwise a waste like him, living itself would be a mistake. But you're different, you're a smart person, so..."

"I hope you don't make the wrong choice."

Zhang San also stared fixedly at Lu Gaosheng, torn between two tough options, unable to make a decision for a long time.

Lu Gaosheng's determination and sincerity were undoubtedly beyond doubt.

But Zhang San still could not rest assured about Wang Xiaoer's safety.

This called for someone to break the deadlock.

"I agree."

Wang Xiaoer's tender voice broke the stalemate.

Somehow without notice, Wang Xiaoer had come to stand behind Zhang San, and patted his master's back.

Zhang San felt a certain 'strangeness' in the touch on his back, and fell silent for the moment.

...

...

On the night streets, Li Xing and the others who were on standby felt more and more fidgety the longer they waited.

Of the three, the most violent-natured Blood Wolf could not help but speak first: "Li Xing, you've followed our master the longest, have you figured out what the master intends? This is too weird, making us wait outside while the master's life and death hangs on that person's whim!"

Li Xing felt similarly restless, without even the heart to speak, just kept frowning and slowly shook his head, taking that as his reply to Blood Wolf.

Only Kill Wolf slowly said: "I think, with master's wit, if he had no certainty, he would never use his own life as a joke."

Just as they were talking, footsteps sounded, and Zhang San, Lu Gaosheng and Wang Xiaoer came together to the street where the three were waiting. Li Xing and the wolves were immediately dumbfounded by the scene before their eyes...

The reason the scene shocked Li Xing and the wolves dumb, was because of what they were seeing...

The three who came out were chatting and laughing merrily, their conversation witty and humorous, unexpectedly giving off an extremely bizarre sense of 'harmony'!

"Is it true, sir Lu? Really shark's fin to rinse the mouth, abalone fried rice, bird's nest to drink as water?" Wang Xiaoer asked in innocent romanticism while speaking to Lu Gaosheng.

Lu Gaosheng laughed loudly: "Brother Zhang and I hit it off at first sight, already the best of friends. You're Brother Zhang's disciple, so you're just like my student. How could I mistreat you? Isn't that right, Brother Zhang?"

Zhang San was originally too lazy to entertain Lu Gaosheng's nonsense.

But Li Xing and the wolves were coming over.

Zhang San immediately grabbed Lu Gaosheng's hand as they stood shoulder to shoulder, and said sincerely: "Of course, it is said listening to you for a moment surpasses studying for ten years. I've never seen talent like Brother Lu's, we really regret not meeting sooner!"

"Brother Zhang, calling me sir Lu is too distant, just calling me Brother Lu will do!"

Just this brief exchange almost left Li Xing and the wolves speechless from shock.

Just now they were still locked in deadly battle, but now they were clasping hands so intimately?

However.

The cautious Kill Wolf, and composed Li Xing, seeing Zhang San standing right next to Lu Gaosheng, even holding hands, did not dare approach rashly for the moment.

Lu Gaosheng smiled slightly, letting Zhang San grasp his hand. He spoke to Li Xing and the wolves: "Let me introduce you, from today Brother Zhang here will be my personal bodyguard. He will be in charge of all my safety."

Kill Wolf asked hesitantly: "Then sir, what about Li Xing..."

"Li Xing will take over command of the Bai Lu Army."

Li Xing had no objections to the change in position, but looking at Zhang San, he anxiously asked: "Sir, your safety..."

Lu Gaosheng casually replied: "Didn't I say, Brother Zhang here will be responsible. You've all witnessed his martial arts level before, no need to worry."

Li Xing and Kill Wolf looked at each other speechlessly. What they were worried about of course wasn't whether Zhang San's kung fu was enough to serve as Lu Gaosheng's bodyguard. That was undoubtedly beyond doubt.

Rather, they thought of how this Zhang San was clearly someone from the underworld, with extraordinarily high martial arts, yet kept a low profile. And also in the earlier fight, Zhang San had seized on one opening and nearly instantly killed Blood Wolf with ruthless precision. Taking all these points together, this person was clearly an extremely dangerous figure.

Kill Wolf's brows furrowed slightly. He took a step forward and bent down respectfully: "Since sir has decided, naturally we cannot oppose. But I hope in the days to come, sir will let me guard your..."

Kill Wolf was halfway through speaking when Lu Gaosheng interrupted him.

"Right, there's another thing. From now on, none of you three may come within three yards of me without my order."

What!

Li Xing and the others were shocked beyond belief. Kill Wolf even directly raised his head and glared coldly at Zhang San.

Zhang San acted as if he didn't see it. He just slowly said: "Brother Lu, a handsome talent like you must have many servants attending you daily. But I won't hide from you, when I was little my family was poor, often doing odd jobs for rich households, serving tea, pouring water, massaging and whatnot. I got really good at it."

Zhang San was clearly spouting nonsense, but how could Lu Gaosheng not understand the implied meaning.

Lu Gaosheng smiled and nodded, then turned to tell Li Xing: "Pass down the order, all the servants in the residence, except for the head cook, starting today..."

"Brother Lu, actually I'm not too bad at cooking either."

Lu Gaosheng smiled helplessly: "Brother Zhang's prudence is really something I've never seen. Alright, in short pass down the order that no one is allowed near my courtyard without Zhang Brother's approval."

Zhang San looked at Lu Gaosheng, grasping his hand, and said heavily: "Brother Lu trusts me so, how could I not swear to guard you with my life?!"

Lu Gaosheng turned again to Blood Wolf: "Blood Wolf, take the young nephew to that small residence I have in the city. Remember, mountain delicacies, silks and brocades, all the furnishings must be the finest!"

Zhang San's brows unconsciously furrowed slightly.

But as soon as he said this, Li Xing and Kill Wolf immediately came to their senses. They looked at Zhang San and secretly laughed coldly, withdrawing to one side without another word.

It was just that Blood Wolf, although brutal by nature, apparently still hadn't understood. He was completely puzzled as he watched Wang Xiaoer slowly walking over.

"Go." Lu Gaosheng spoke again.

Blood Wolf came back to his senses. Although still not understanding, he did not dare defy Lu Gaosheng's order either. Taking Wang Xiaoer's hand, he prepared to leave.

Zhang San's gaze nonchalantly fell upon Blood Wolf's back as he turned away.

Zhang San's thinking was simple:

Knowing which direction, it should be easier to find them later.

But Lu Gaosheng suddenly spoke at this moment: "Wait!"

Blood Wolf's steps that were just about to fall immediately halted. Everyone looked at Lu Gaosheng in puzzlement.

Lu Gaosheng just smiled slightly. His left hand that was being grasped by Zhang San slowly struggled free, instead grasping Zhang San's hand.

His action was like some kind of warning.

Lu Gaosheng stared into Zhang San's eyes, but his words were directed at Blood Wolf: "Blood Wolf, the Hundred Flavors Residence in the city should still be open at this hour. Take the young nephew there for a good meal first, then go wash up at Xiaoxiang Building. Finally, go back to that small residence. On the way... remember to be 'careful'."

The night still had yet to end.