Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 71 - 70: Boss, I Want to Follow You!

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Everyone present knew that it was Shen Qing who was responsible for killing Zhao Ba and wiping out his subordinates.

They were merely helpers at best.

Let alone sharing thirty percent, even giving them nothing at all would be acceptable to some.

Shen Qing nodded and said, "Since you have no objections, I'll take it as your agreement."

He looked down at the heap of items on the ground and said, "These things are roughly estimated to be worth around two hundred taels. Let's round it to two hundred, with each of you three getting ten taels. The silver is just enough, each of you take twenty taels."

As he said this, Shen Qing looked at Ouyang Tie Niu with a meaningful expression and said, "Brother Ouyang, I've given you the twenty taels I promised."

Twenty taels were enough to support an ordinary farmer's family for a year.

Even if the city had a higher cost of living, these twenty taels were still a substantial amount for a street thug, enough for a fair period of indulgence.

Shen Qing's eyes weren't blind; he had clearly seen Ouyang Tiezhu pretending to work, but barely putting in any effort.

But for the sake of Senior Brother Ouyang Tiezhu's face, he gave it anyway.

After all, it was an unexpected fortune; he didn't care about this small sum.

Senior Brother did not hold back anything in his teaching; they would likely have frequent dealings in the future, so it's better to establish a good relationship.

In dealing with people, one should have more friends and fewer enemies, not make oneself uncomfortable, and should be willing to give when necessary.

Ouyang Tie Niu stared blankly at the gleaming silver on the ground, his face incredibly conflicted, unable to control his hand as it reached forward, grabbed a silver ingot, and slowly moved it towards his bosom.

Shen Qing slightly furrowed his brows, puzzled by why Ouyang Tie Niu was taking the silver as begrudgingly as if constipated.

Suddenly, Ouyang Tie Niu seemed to make a big decision, putting the silver back.

Watching him, everyone saw him kneel on one knee with a loud thud, cupping his fists to Shen Qing, and said with robust energy, "Boss, I want to follow you!"

"Hmm?" Being called "Boss" by someone a few years older, Shen Qing found it somewhat awkward. "Why do you want to join me?"

"Now that Zhao Ba's gang is gone, West City here is without a leader, the position is open. Boss, you can take advantage of this to bring this area under your command and earn wealth daily without a problem."

Ouyang Tie Niu thumped his chest and said enthusiastically, "More importantly, with this as a foundation, you can hitch a ride with the bigwigs, maybe even rise above others one day. I hope you give me a chance to serve under your command."

He had been contemplating one thing just now.

That was, after Zhao Ba's demise, who would take charge of this area.

The Outer City Twelve Blocks was full of mountains and local tyrants.

If nothing unexpected happened, creatures would definitely come to divide the spoils.

Unfortunately, he didn't know them and had no connections.

The Outer City was full of street thugs like him trying to make a name for themselves, even a big brother's identity wasn't very useful here.

Everything boiled down to strength.

Since Shen Qing could kill Zhao Ba, it proved he had the strength to be a boss here.

Distant water couldn't quench immediate thirst; recognizing the trend was vital.

Instead of vying for elusive things, it was better to pledge loyalty now.

Choosing was more important than striving.

As long as he followed the right person, he might eventually stand out.

Standing beside Ouyang Tie Niu, Yang Zhao Ping, seeing his decisive action, also deliberated briefly before kneeling down and saying, "I hope to serve under your command as well."

Shen Qing did not immediately agree. He kept weighing the pros and cons in his heart, furrowing his brows, deep in thought.

Ouyang Tie Niu recalled something and continued, "Boss, I also know the whereabouts of a mountain treasure. If you're interested, you can take it this time too, it's in this district."

"A mountain treasure?"

"Yes, it's the Blood Bird's Nest obtained by Wang Mazi from a hunter. There was a thug who took the Blood Bird's Nest amidst the chaos when Zhao Ba sent people to raid. I happened to see it. The young master of the Song Family wants to break through the Qi Cultivation Realm and urgently needs these mountain treasures. If Boss can get it and build a good relationship with the Song Family, the benefits would be immense."

Shen Qing considered everything and shook his head, saying, "The Outer City is a mixed bag and the waters are deep. I, a little hunter from a remote place, should not venture in. I'll wait until I have the strength, but I do have some interest in the Blood Bird's Nest."

He wasn't swayed by momentary flattery.

With Zhao Ba dead, who knew what kind of powerful figures might emerge?

If he inadvertently provoked a big shot, it wouldn't be something he could handle.

It was better to watch and see.

Stockpile resources, delay claiming kingship.

Remain unchanged to respond to changes.

Seek stability in all.

In a while, after improving his progress in martial arts and gaining more strength, it wouldn't be too late to take them.

By then, one-by-one claiming the benefits would suffice.

Ouyang Tie Niu was a bit surprised by Shen Qing's decision but did not give up, resolutely said, "Even if you don't become the boss here, I will still follow you and call you Boss in the future."

"Me too."

Shen Qing was at a loss, silently sighing in his heart, resigned to let them have their way.

"Do as you please."

Seeing Shen Qing accept them, Ouyang Tie Niu and Yang Zhao Ping exchanged glances, jubilant.

Ever since Wang Mazi died, they had drifted aimlessly until now, finally finding someone to rely on.

Ouyang Tie Niu looked at Xiao Zhi, put his arm around his shoulders, and said, "Brother, what do you think, do you want to join too?"

Xiao Zhi glanced at Shen Qing, then shook his head and said, "Not for me. I'm just a cook, planning to open a restaurant in the future, don't intend to get into this line."

"That's a pity," Ouyang Tie Niu lamented, "I saw your strength in a fight, was hoping to fight alongside you in the future."

"Haha... We'll see; maybe we will in the future, who knows," Xiao Zhi said, somewhat disappointedly.

"Now, do you still want to take this money?" Shen Qing raised his chin and asked the group.

Xiao Zhi thought it over, cupped his fists, and said, "I came to help for the sake of a junior brother; taking money wouldn't be right. I'll pass on the money."

He had thought it through. Since he intended to offer a favor, he shouldn't be coy, taking money would spoil it. Being straightforward about it was for the better.

Ouyang Tiezhu said, "As little brothers, it's only right to help the Boss. We won't take it either."

"Indeed."

Seeing their firm stance, Shen Qing didn't persuade further, "Alright, then later I'll take you to a restaurant for a good meal to celebrate. These broken weapons don't sell well, check if there's anything you need, and take one."

"Great."

These people weren't of high status, just a few weapons among them, all ordinary, nothing much to pick from.

They casually picked a suitable weapon, tidied up the scene, leaving the corpses behind, and walked out of the house.

Shen Qing stepped out and looked at Ouyang Tie Niu, saying, "Later at the restaurant, tell me more about the mountain treasure."

"Sure, Boss."

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