Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies

All present knew that it was Shen Qing who had killed Zhao Ba and wiped out his underlings.

At most, they were just lending a hand.

Let alone dividing thirty percent, if he were harsher, not giving them a single hair wouldn't be a problem either.

Shen Qing nodded and said, "If you have no objections, I will take it as your agreement."

He looked down at the many items piled on the ground and said, "Roughly estimating, these things could be worth about two hundred taels. Let's round it to two hundred; each of you three will get ten taels. The amount of silver is just right, so each of you take twenty taels and be off."

As he spoke, Shen Qing looked at Ouyang Tie Niu with a smile that was not quite a smile, and said with profound meaning, "Brother Ouyang, the twenty taels I promised you have been given."

Twenty taels, enough for an ordinary farming family to live on for a year.

Even if living expenses in the city were higher, that twenty taels still amounted to a significant fortune for a ruffian scraping by outside, enough for him to swagger around for a while.

Shen Qing's eyes weren't blind; of course, he noticed that Ouyang Tiezhu had been shirking his work and slacking off.

But in consideration of Ouyang Tiezhu, the eldest martial brother, he generously gave it anyway.

After all, it was an unexpected windfall, and he didn't care about this minor amount.

The eldest brother had not held back when teaching him, and they might often deal with each other in the future, so why not create a good karma?

In life, one should try to make more friends and fewer enemies, not create discomfort for oneself. When necessary, one should be willing to give.

Ouyang Tie Niu stared blankly at the shiny silver on the ground, his face twisted with conflict as he uncontrollably reached out, grabbed a silver ingot, and slowly placed it against his chest.

Shen Qing frowned slightly, wondering why Ouyang Tie Niu was behaving as if constipated when taking the silver, which was baffling.

Suddenly, as if he had made a great decision, Ouyang Tie Niu put the silver back.

Under everyone's gaze, he knocked on his knee to the ground, bowed to Shen Qing with his fist, and said with a full voice, "Boss, I want to roll with you!"

"Hmm?" Being called "Boss" by someone several years older than himself felt a bit odd to Shen Qing, "Roll with me for what?"

"Now that Zhao Ba and his gang are dead, and there's no local tyrant in West City, this spot is up for grabs. Boss, you can take this opportunity to bring this area under your wing, and making a fortune every day won't be a problem," Ouyang Tie Niu said, puffing out his chest and speaking spiritedly. "What's more important is that with this as a foundation, you can get on the boat of the big shots.

Who knows, one day you might rise above others. I hope Boss will give me a chance to serve under you."

He had been mulling over one thing all this time.

And that was, after Zhao Ba's death, who would take charge of this area.

In the twelve districts of the Outer City, there were many hills and local tyrants.

If things went as expected, they would come to carve up the spoils as soon as they smelled blood.

Unfortunately, he didn't know any of them, nor did he have any connections.

In the Outer City, there were many ruffians and scoundrels trying to make a name for themselves, and even the identity of a big brother didn't carry much weight here.

Everything depended on strength.

Since Shen Qing was strong enough to kill Zhao Ba, it meant he had the strength to be a leader in this place.

Distant waters can't quench immediate thirst, and a wise person knows how to adapt to the times.

Rather than fight over illusory things, it was better to take this opportunity to pledge allegiance.

Choice is greater than effort.

As long as he followed the right person, he might yet make something of himself in the future.

Standing beside Ouyang Tie Niu, Yang Zhao Ping saw him make such a decisive move, contemplated for a moment, and then knelt down resolutely and said, "I hope to serve you as well."

Shen Qing did not agree immediately, weighing the pros and cons in his mind, his brows furrowed in deep thought.

Ouyang Tie Niu recalled something and continued, "Boss, there's another delicacy I know of. If you're interested, we can take it this time as well, it's in this area."

"Delicacy?"

"Yes, it's the Blood Bird's Nest that Wang Mazi got from a hunter before. When Zhao Ba's men came knocking, a ruffian took advantage of the chaos to steal the Blood Bird's Nest. I happened to see it. The young master of the Song and Dong Family needs these delicacies to break through to the Qi Cultivation Realm.

If the boss gets it and builds a good relationship with the Song family, there will be great benefits."

Shen Qing weighed the situation and shook his head, "The Outer City is a mess with dragons and snakes mixed together, too deep for me to get involved in. I'm just a small hunter from a remote place; it's better not to get involved. Let's wait until I'm stronger. However, I'm a bit interested in this Blood Bird's Nest."

He wasn't dazzled by the flattery of the moment.

With Zhao Ba's recent death, who knows what kind of ghost or serpent would emerge.

If he accidentally provoked a big shot, that wasn't something he could handle.

Better to wait and see for now.

Amass grain slowly, claim kingship unhurriedly.

Respond to myriad changes with constancy.

Prioritize stability in everything.

After some time, once he's made further progress in his martial arts and grown stronger, it won't be too late to go for it then.

By that time, the benefits he could obtain, one after another, will be his for the taking.

Ouyang Tie Niu was somewhat surprised by Shen Qing's decision but didn't give up, asserting firmly, "If you won't be the boss here, I'll follow you anyway. From now on, you're my boss."

"Me too."

Shen Qing had no words to offer and let out a helpless sigh internally, resigning himself to their decision.

"Do as you will," he said.

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

Since Wang Mazi's death, they had been aimlessly drifting; today, they finally had someone to cover for them.

Ouyang Tie Niu saw Xiao Zhi, wrapped an arm around his shoulder, and said, "Brother, what do you think, want to join us too?"

Xiao Zhi glanced at Shen Qing then shook his head, "I'd rather not, I'm just a cook and plan to open a restaurant in the future. I don't intend to mix in your line of work."

"That's a pity," Ouyang Tie Niu said with regret. "You seem quite fierce when you fight; I was hoping to fight alongside you in the future."

"Heh... We'll talk about it if there's a chance in the future, a chance in the future," Xiao Zhi said resignedly.

"Are you guys still taking the money or not?" Shen Qing asked, nodding his head towards the group.

After some thought, Xiao Zhi bowed and spoke, "I came to help originally for the sake of my junior brother; taking money on top of that wouldn't be right. I won't take the money."

He had made up his mind that if he was to owe someone a favor, he shouldn't be bashful; taking money would be inappropriate. Better to be straightforward; it would be more honorable.

Ouyang Tiezhu stated, "As juniors helping our boss, it's only natural for us. We won't take it either."

"Yes."

Seeing their resolute attitude, Shen Qing no longer urged them, "Alright then, I'll take you all for a good meal at a restaurant later to celebrate. These damaged weapons aren't easy to sell. Take a look and if you need anything, pick one to take home."

"Alright."

These people were of not very high status to begin with, and there were only a few with weapons, all of which were common goods, nothing good to choose from.

The few of them casually picked out weapons suitable for them, tidied up the place, leaving a field of corpses, and walked out of the house.

Shen Qing stepped out of the house, looked at Ouyang Tie Niu and said, "Later at the restaurant, give me a good rundown on the delicacy."

"Of course, Boss."