Mighty Boss

The little girl who had been released ran crying to her sister's side.

The two embraced each other and wept into a tangled mess.

Once their emotions had settled, the older sister moved to kowtow to Ma San in thanks.

Ma San hurriedly waved his hands and pointed toward the tea stall.

He then led the two sisters toward the tea stall.

Bringing them before Lu Shaolin at the tea stall, Ma San said, "Our boss told me to save you. If you want to thank someone, thank our boss!"

The two sisters immediately dropped to their knees.

The older sister choked out, "Thank you, young master, for saving us!"

Lu Shaolin rose to his feet and said softly, "No need. This is Blackwater Gang territory to begin with. We naturally won't tolerate the Little Knife Society acting so arrogantly here."

Seeing the older sister's disheveled hair and the younger sister's dirt-smudged face, Lu Shaolin turned to Old Man Zhang beside him. "Sir, do you have any clean water? Let these two sisters wash up first."

"Yes, yes."

Old Man Zhang replied hurriedly.

"Thank you, young master. Thank you, Uncle Zhang!"

The older sister thanked them again and followed Old Man Zhang behind the tea stall.

After the two had washed up, the older sister, whose cheeks remained red and swollen, gave Lu Shaolin a curtsy. "Young master, Dong Jia will never forget your great kindness, even if my teeth are worn away. But I still owe debts myself. In my next life, I will surely tie grass in knots and carry rings in my beak to repay you!"

"That won't be necessary. What are you two planning to do?"

Lu Shaolin asked.

"What plans could we possibly have? We can only do our best to stay alive."

Dong Jia gave a sorrowful smile and replied.

After speaking, she bowed to Lu Shaolin once more, then led her younger sister back toward the docks. It seemed they still intended to carry cargo.

"That Dong Family girl is a good girl!"

Li Si said with feeling.

"Mm."

Lu Shaolin nodded.

The three of them then resumed chatting.

An hour later, the sound of galloping hooves rang out.

Three gray-clad men on horseback charged into the docks. The man at the very back was none other than Ma the Second from earlier.

Leading them was a burly man with broad shoulders, a thick waist, a round face, and a full beard.

The burly man carried a thick-backed ring-hilted Dao on his back, his bull-like eyes opened wide.

"It's Liu Dadao, Liu Bao! What's he doing here?"

Li Si said in surprise.

"What? Is he famous?"

Lu Shaolin asked.

"He's one of the Little Knife Society's managers. He's fierce and overbearing, at the Perfected Skin Tempering realm!"

"Boss, we're no match for him. You should hide first. I'll go to the small building at the stronghold and call for help. Ma San, go notify Manager Yu."

Li Si said gravely.

"It's too late."

Lu Shaolin said with a smile. The three men had already charged toward the tea stall.

Liu Bao, who led the group, showed no intention of slowing down. He drew the Dao from his back and charged straight at them!

Lu Shaolin lifted his spear and crossed out of the tea stall in two strides, charging back at him.

Liu Bao, atop his horse, was slightly startled. Then he kicked the horse's belly and accelerated forward.

"Boss, be careful!"

Ma San and Li Si shouted.

Lu Shaolin's eyes reddened as he entered the Berserk State of the Mad Demon Staff Technique.

In the Berserk State, both strength and speed were enhanced.

By Lu Shaolin's understanding, it was adrenaline secretion, leaving a person in an excited state!

Just as the horse was about to crash into Lu Shaolin, he sidestepped sideways and moved to the horse's left.

He raised his spear high and brought it down in a smashing strike upon the horse's head.

The yellow dappled horse's skull instantly shattered, brain matter spraying everywhere. With a bang, it was smashed onto the ground, sending dust flying.

The instant the yellow dappled horse hit the ground, Liu Bao leaped from its back and avoided being pinned beneath it.

Looking at the yellow dappled horse lying dead on the ground, Liu Bao's face turned pale. His gaze at Lu Shaolin flickered with uncertainty and alarm.

Lu Shaolin looked coldly at him and was about to attack with his spear when the man suddenly cupped his fists. "Wait! May I ask which manager of the Blackwater Gang this brother is? I am Liu Bao."

"I'm not a gang manager, merely a squad leader."

Lu Shaolin said coldly.

"Not a manager? Could brother be from the External Affairs Hall?"

Liu Bao froze, then asked again.

"Neither. Weren't you here to cause trouble?"

Lu Shaolin denied it again and countered with a question.

"A misunderstanding! There must be some misunderstanding!"

Liu Bao hurriedly said.

"Pockmark, what's going on? Is there some misunderstanding?"

After speaking, Liu Bao shouted at Ma the Second, who was still on horseback behind him.

Ma the Second hurriedly jumped down from his horse. Seeing Liu Bao's vicious glare, then Ma San behind Lu Shaolin, he stammered, "It... it really is a misunderstanding!"

"Sorry for making brother laugh. My subordinate is unreliable in his work; when we return, I will certainly punish him severely.

"But since we have offended brother, the Dong Family's debt will be written off entirely. How about it?"

Liu Bao turned and said with a smile.

Lu Shaolin examined Liu Bao carefully. This fellow knew how to read the situation and could bend and stretch as needed. No wonder he had made a name for himself as Liu Dadao.

"Fine."

Lu Shaolin nodded faintly.

"Since that is so, I'll take my leave first! Another day, I'll invite brother for drinks!"

Liu Bao cupped his fists, turned around, mounted Ma the Second's horse, pulled its head around, and charged out of the docks.

His two subordinates hurried after him. Ma the Second looked as though he wished he had been born with four legs.

As the three left, the docks instantly erupted with a boom, turning heaven and earth upside down. Everyone discussed the matter fervently, their gazes toward Lu Shaolin filled with admiration!

Just look at that horse carcass on the ground—one spear strike had shattered its head. Truly formidable!

"The boss is mighty!"

Li Si approached with a beaming smile, as though he were the one who had killed the horse and frightened off Liu Bao.

"Enough. Have everyone disperse. Find someone to deal with the horse carcass."

Lu Shaolin said with a faint smile.

"Alright. This horse can give the brothers at the stronghold an extra meal!"

Li Si chuckled and ran toward the wooden building at the stronghold.

Ma San, meanwhile, silently walked into the crowd and had the merchants and laborers disperse.

Lu Shaolin returned to the tea stall and continued drinking tea.

When Ma San returned, the two Dong Family sisters were following behind him.

The two sisters walked before Lu Shaolin and knelt again.

"Young master saved us once before, and now you have helped us escape the Little Knife Society's harassment. I know we are not beautiful enough to catch your eye, but your kindness is heavier than a mountain. If young master does not find us disagreeable, we sisters are willing to serve in your household as maids!"

The older sister, Dong Jia, raised her head and said.

"This..."

Lu Shaolin hesitated somewhat.

"Boss, why not take them in? They can wash clothes and cook. Besides, it isn't a solution for them to keep staying at the docks."

Ma San said into Lu Shaolin's ear.

It was quite rare for him to say so much at once.

At the words "wash clothes and cook," Lu Shaolin's eyes lit up. He truly needed someone to cook for him; eating stewed meat every day was no solution either.

"Can you cook?"

Lu Shaolin asked.

"Yes. We can wash clothes, cook, and clean."

Dong Jia hurriedly replied.

"That's good. I don't need you to serve as slaves or maids. Just help me cook and clean.

"I'll provide food and lodging. How does that sound?"

Lu Shaolin continued.

"Thank you, young master, for taking us in!"

Dong Jia hurriedly thanked him.

"Mm. You two, get up. Rest here at the tea stall for now, then come back with me this afternoon."

Lu Shaolin said softly.

"Young master, our luggage is still at the inn. May I go retrieve it?"

Dong Jia rose and asked.

"Ma San, accompany them to the inn."

Lu Shaolin instructed Ma San.

"Yes, Boss!"

Ma San replied with cupped fists.

"There's no need. I can go by myself."

Dong Jia declined awkwardly.

"Let Ma San go with you, in case you run into people from the Little Knife Society."

Lu Shaolin waved his hand.