"They've gone too far!"
Cui Guanqing shouted, slapped his saddle, and leaped from his horse, racing toward the arena with astonishing speed. His lightness skill was clearly exceptional.
"Hahahaha! Chairman Cui, are you planning to bully the young with your seniority?"
He Zhonglang laughed loudly, also flying from his horse to block Cui Guanqing.
The two exchanged several moves before immediately separating.
"He Zhonglang, this time, you got lucky and found an expert to aid you!"
Cui Guanqing said viciously.
"Hahahaha, this old man has always had rather good luck!"
He Zhonglang laughed smugly.
"Let's go!"
Cui Guanqing swung onto his horse, shouted, and spurred it out of New Wharf.
The Little Knife Society members cast wary glances at Lu Shaolin on the arena, then followed Cui Guanqing out of the wharf.
"Hahaha, Hall Master Lu, that was a beautiful victory!"
He Zhonglang turned to Lu Shaolin and laughed.
He was already directly calling Lu Shaolin Hall Master.
"You flatter me, Chief!"
Lu Shaolin stepped down from the arena and cupped his hands with a smile.
Hall Master Lu certainly sounded far better than Boss Lu.
"Your strength is exceptional, and everyone has seen it. I will keep my word. Once New Wharf begins turning a profit, you shall receive thirty percent of the earnings!"
He Zhonglang looked at Lu Shaolin, his eyes full of admiration.
"Chief, I do not place much value on silver!"
Lu Shaolin said solemnly.
Hearing Lu Shaolin's words, the Little Knife Society members beside them gaped in astonishment.
You didn't value it? Then who was it that had been looting corpses just now?
"Er... since I made you a promise, naturally I cannot go back on it."
He Zhonglang was also stunned for a moment before forcing a smile.
"Chief, could the profit share be withdrawn and exchanged for the Iron Chain Across the River Technique that you cultivate?"
Lu Shaolin asked with cupped hands.
"Hmm... we'll discuss that after we return to the gang. I happen to want to speak with you privately as well."
He Zhonglang pondered for a moment.
"Alright!"
Lu Shaolin nodded.
Afterward, the Blackwater Gang members happily began their return journey.
This battle had forcefully crushed the Little Knife Society's arrogance, and everyone was thrilled!
After returning to the Water Fortress, Lu Shaolin went with He Zhonglang to the third-floor reception room.
"Have a seat first."
He Zhonglang pointed to the red sandalwood chairs in the room.
Lu Shaolin cupped his hands and sat down.
Before long, a maid brought tea and set it on the tea table.
"Hall Master Lu, you have not yet married, have you?"
He Zhonglang took a sip from his teacup as he spoke.
"Indeed, I have not."
Lu Shaolin nodded.
"Your strength is outstanding, and I admire you greatly. As it happens, I have an only daughter, twenty years of age and as lovely as a heavenly fragrance and national beauty! If you are willing, I intend to give my daughter to you in marriage. By then, not only my martial art, but even the Blackwater Gang itself will be yours to command in the future!"
He Zhonglang tempted him step by step.
"Er... Chief, I am still young and have no thoughts about affairs between men and women!"
Lu Shaolin hurriedly refused.
A heavenly fragrance and national beauty? The Great Xia Dynasty considered fatness beautiful!
"Still young? You look at least twenty-five, don't you?"
He Zhonglang examined him carefully.
Lu Shaolin was stunned upon hearing that.
Twenty-five? He was merely a little more muscular. It couldn't be that bad!
"Chief, what I mean is that my heart is devoted to martial arts. While I am young, I wish to advance courageously and diligently along the path of martial arts, without being distracted by other concerns."
Lu Shaolin hurriedly explained. He had no way to explain his age.
"When this old man was young, I thought the same as you. But I changed later on. You do not understand the taste of women."
"Here, I'll call my daughter over. Take a look first, then we can talk."
He Zhonglang stroked his beard and smiled. He then summoned a maid and told her to bring the young lady over.
Before long, a woman in a pink dress came strolling over, accompanied by the maid.
She was rather pretty, with fair skin and lovely features. Her figure simply was not to Lu Shaolin's taste—at least one hundred and forty, with a somewhat thick waist.
"Father."
The woman dipped into a curtsy and addressed He Zhonglang.
"Mm, Rong'er, this is Lu Shaolin, the newly appointed Hall Master of the External Affairs Hall."
He Zhonglang pointed at Lu Shaolin as he introduced him.
The woman looked at Lu Shaolin, curtsied, and said, "Greetings, Hall Master Lu."
Lu Shaolin rose and cupped his hands. "You are too courteous, Miss."
Seeing Lu Shaolin's handsome face and tall, sturdy frame, the woman's eyes sparkled repeatedly.
"Alright, Rong'er, you may withdraw first! Your father still needs to discuss matters with Hall Master Lu."
He Zhonglang said with a smile.
"Yes, Father."
"Farewell, Hall Master Lu!"
The woman bid farewell to He Zhonglang and Lu Shaolin respectively, then turned and left the room.
"Well, Hall Master Lu? My daughter is quite beautiful, isn't she?"
He Zhonglang asked proudly.
"Miss is indeed so beautiful that she could make the moon hide and flowers blush. Yet I have no interest in affairs between men and women and care only for martial arts. I hope Chief will forgive me!"
Lu Shaolin said with cupped hands.
"You truly are young and full of fire. Fine, this old man was no different in his youth! But I already spoke of the reward in the Council Hall, so it would not be good to change it immediately."
"How about this? Once you render another service, I will teach you my martial art. That way, no one in the gang will have any idle talk. With your strength, earning merit should be quite easy."
He Zhonglang sighed.
He truly admired Lu Shaolin greatly and did intend to take him as a son-in-law.
"Alright, Chief! Then this subordinate shall take his leave first."
Lu Shaolin nodded.
"Mm!"
He Zhonglang lifted his teacup.
Lu Shaolin turned and left the reception room. Since he could obtain the martial art by earning further merit, he was in no hurry.
As for whether He Zhonglang would give him the martial art then, that would not be up to him.
Upon returning to the first floor, he found Chen Ying, Zhao Anguo, Feng Tie, Ma San, and the others waiting for him.
When they saw him come down, they all cupped their fists and said, "Hall Master!"
"Mm."
Lu Shaolin smiled and nodded.
"Hall Master, now that you have arrived, I shall hand over some affairs to you."
Chen Ying said.
"Affairs? What affairs?"
Lu Shaolin asked.
"Matters such as squad deployments and benefits."
Chen Ying replied.
"Keep everything as it was. You can handle the miscellaneous matters. Come find me only if you encounter something you cannot resolve."
Lu Shaolin waved his hand. He intended to be a hands-off shopkeeper.
"By the way, how many men does the External Affairs Hall have in total?"
Lu Shaolin asked.
"Hall Master, the External Affairs Hall has fifteen squads, ten men per squad, for a total of one hundred and fifty men."
"Twelve squads are stationed in fishing villages on both banks of the Blackwater River, while the other three guard headquarters and handle emergencies."
Chen Ying explained.
"Mm. Have the leaders of the three squads stationed at headquarters come see me."
Lu Shaolin spoke as he waved for everyone to enter the External Affairs Hall.
"Yes!"
Chen Ying answered with cupped fists and had Zhao Anguo go deliver the order.
After taking his seat of honor in the inner chamber of the External Affairs Hall, Lu Shaolin quietly waited for the three leaders to report in.
Chen Ying and the others stood to either side.
Before long, Zhao Anguo led three burly men inside.
The three simultaneously cupped their fists and shouted, "This subordinate Tan Qing, Fei Bin, and Ding Qiang greet Hall Master!"
"Mm. From now on, you three will obey only my orders. Without my command, you must not make a move. Do you understand?"
Lu Shaolin said solemnly.
"Yes, Hall Master!"
The three answered with cupped fists.
"Mm. You may return first."
"Yes!"
The three cupped their fists once more in salute and withdrew from the External Affairs Hall.
"You six will continue to remain at my side."
Lu Shaolin said to Feng Tie, Ma San, and the others.
"Yes, Hall Master!"
The men were overjoyed and hurriedly agreed.
Before you continue