Zhang San once said, "Smart people are not to be feared. Madmen are not to be feared. Smart madmen, they are to be feared." As it turned out, Zhang San was right.
Lu Gaosheng's attitude became increasingly relaxed, while Zhang San's heart grew increasingly uneasy. But the current situation was also very clear.
Lu Gaosheng had staked his life on this, and his determination was undoubtedly firm. If Zhang San refused him today, he would be capable of anything.
And whatever Lu Gaosheng wanted Zhang San to do was surely not simple, with the risks already implicit.
Zhang San asked, "What is it you want me to do?"
Lu Gaosheng said, "Just now you said you are an assassin. That is excellent. I need an assassin as well, one with extraordinarily high martial arts skills, to help me kill someone. That's all."
Zhang San let out a cold laugh. "Master Lu, hearing you say 'that's all' sends a chill down my spine."
With three top-tier Earth-rank fighters already under him, needing help meant the target must be some kind of top master. Even an idiot could figure that out.
Lu Gaosheng waved his hand with a laugh. "No, no, I assure you I won't ask you to kill a Heaven-rank Grandmaster, because I'm not stupid enough to hand over all my top fighters along with you as fodder for a Grandmaster to test his blade."
But Zhang San was thinking viciously: Once I have the skill to kill a Heaven-rank Grandmaster, your whole family will be the first to die.
Seeing that Zhang San did not object, Lu Gaosheng continued, "Of course, I, Lu Gaosheng, will not let you do this for nothing. I guarantee that after the deed is done, you and your disciple may safely leave the city. All traces of you here will be personally erased by me, and the promised 30,000 taels of silver will not be shortchanged. If you are dissatisfied, we can negotiate money, power, women, anything."
Zhang San did not believe a single word coming out of Lu Gaosheng's mouth.
But for now, he still needed time to cultivate his Heaven-rank inner energy, so he had no choice but to continue playing along.
Therefore, Zhang San put on his most sincere "smile," seemingly fully agreeing, joking: "Master Lu has a clever tongue, threatening first and then enticing. After giving me a big slap, now you offer dates. It seems I've no choice but to agree."
Lu Gaosheng poured wine for Zhang San, then raised his cup together with him. "Then please drink with me, Mr. Zhang, to our successful cooperation. Of course, if you fear poison, feel free not to drink."
Zhang San smiled. "Master Lu jests. Since we're cooperating, we're of course sincere."
As they raised their cups, Zhang San prepared his inner energy to force the wine out. Then, he and Lu Gaosheng drank together.
Lu Gaosheng was the first to put down his cup, casually mentioning as if just recalling, "Oh, there is one other thing I must bring up. I hope that Mr. Zhang can send his young disciple to one of my mansions in the city to rest for a few days. Naturally, he will be well treated and lacking nothing."
The white jade cup in Zhang San's hand shattered instantly.
The formerly eased atmosphere turned fiercely cold in an instant.
Zhang San looked coldly at Lu Gaosheng.
Lu Gaosheng met his gaze fearlessly and nonchalantly.
The winter's cold moon was no match for the icy looks between them.
One had been an assassin for twenty years, the other a cunning and vicious official.
Ultimately, neither of these ruthless men truly trusted the other.
Yet at the same time, Zhang San finally understood why Lu Gaosheng had staked his life on this. Wang Xiaoer's position in Zhang San's heart.
If Zhang San was willing to give up killing the greatly threatening Lu Gaosheng for Wang Xiaoer's safety.
Then through this point, Lu Gaosheng could understand.
For Zhang San, Wang Xiaoer's life was far more important than Lu Gaosheng's death.
In Lu Gaosheng's eyes, the degree to which Zhang San cared for Wang Xiaoer had already been laid bare.
Controlling Wang Xiaoer, first, could ensure Lu Gaosheng's own safety. With Wang Xiaoer hostage, Lu Gaosheng need not fear Zhang San suddenly revolting to kill him later in the plan.
Second, having Wang Xiaoer meant no fear of Zhang San defecting, slacking off, or other potential occurrences.
In short, controlling Wang Xiaoer was equivalent to controlling Zhang San.
For a long time, Zhang San was the first to speak. "Master Lu, have you gone mad?"
Lu Gaosheng replied, "Actually, it's understandable. Your martial arts are so high, yet you have no fame in the jianghu, military, or throughout Great Wu Country. This is the first time I've met someone as discreet as you. Who knows if, after being monitored by my people, you were calm on the surface but secretly..."
Staring fixedly at Zhang San, Lu Gaosheng spoke slowly but clearly: "But secretly preparing a way for you and your disciple to escape unharmed."
As the words fell, Zhang San's appraisal of Lu Gaosheng rose once more.
Because Lu Gaosheng had deduced correctly again.
Zhang San's Heaven-rank inner energy would be complete in a matter of days or up to ten-odd days.
Once he mastered Heaven-rank inner energy, the relationship between him and Lu Gaosheng would instantly reverse. With Heaven-rank movement skill and Heaven-rank inner energy, even if surrounded and blocked by three top-tier Earth-rank experts and thousands of elite troops, Zhang San was confident he could take Wang Xiaoer away unharmed.
Moreover, after ensuring Wang Xiaoer's safety, whether Lu Gaosheng, who commanded troops but was powerless without his protectors, lived or died would naturally fall at the whim of Zhang San the Heaven-rank Grandmaster.
But the careful Lu Gaosheng had not missed these details and possibilities.
Zhang San sneered. "Is Master Lu being too paranoid?"
Yet Lu Gaosheng said, "In officialdom, fortunes shift and dangers abound. A tiny misstep means family extermination. Indeed, we officials face greater peril than you jianghu folk, so please understand my habit of prudence has its reasons."
Zhang San said, "Your demand is forcing me into a desperate fight! Don't forget, your life is still in my hands!"
Handing Wang Xiaoer over to Lu Gaosheng - it was a joke.
From beginning to end, Zhang San did not believe this Lu Gaosheng would discuss ethics or integrity with them as master and disciple.
Not to mention the target was still unknown, once Wang Xiaoer was given to Lu Gaosheng, who could guarantee his safety whether they succeeded or not?
Or who could guarantee Lu Gaosheng would not continue using Wang Xiaoer to control him, Zhang San?
Yet Lu Gaosheng seemed to have anticipated this layer of thought long ago.
Lu Gaosheng laughed loudly. "Sir need not be impatient. We both understand this logic very clearly. I, Lu Gaosheng, have my own solutions."
Zhang San said coldly, "Oh?"
Lu Gaosheng said, "Ultimately, we both wish to buy peace of mind, so we can exchange hostages."
Zhang San was puzzled. "Hostages?"
Lu Gaosheng said, "The hostage you hand over to me is naturally your disciple, while the hostage I hand over to you is myself!"
What!?
Zhang San was briefly startled, but soon understood Lu Gaosheng's bizarre demand.
Lu Gaosheng continued, "In simple terms, from now until the deed is done, all my guards, troops, clerks - including Li Xing and the Twin Wolves - must keep their distance, no closer than 30 feet. And within that 30 feet, my sole 'protector' will be you."
Within 30 feet, with Heaven-rank movement skill, Zhang San was confident he could kill Lu Gaosheng even if a Heaven-rank Grandmaster came to save him.
That meant Lu Gaosheng had indeed become Zhang San's hostage, and Zhang San could kill or abduct Lu Gaosheng anytime.
But the price was Wang Xiaoer being temporarily taken from his side and controlled by Lu Gaosheng's subordinates.
This was Lu Gaosheng's so-called 'hostage exchange.'
Zhang San silently contemplated the feasibility of this method.
But Zhang San also quickly realized the risk behind this scheme.
The person would be given to Lu Gaosheng.
But what if, after success, Lu Gaosheng was unwilling to release him?
After all, Lu Gaosheng said he was entrusting his safety to Zhang San, but Zhang San could not truly watch this Lu Gaosheng at all times, especially when away on the assassination.
Yet Lu Gaosheng seemed able to guess Zhang San's thoughts.
"Additionally, I, Lu Gaosheng, will tell you two secrets concerning my life."
What?
Zhang San's brows furrowed slightly, surprised that Lu Gaosheng would up the ante again.
Lu Gaosheng laughed and said, "To show my sincerity, I can tell you the first secret right now. As you know, Dawu Country enforces a sea ban, and coastal residents involved in maritime trade are all seen as pirates and their families executed. But do you know who the biggest pirate is in Tian Ruo Prefecture, which connects to the Eastern Sea?"
Zhang San glanced at Lu Gaosheng and said, "Mr. Lu means... you?"
Lu Gaosheng laughed heartily: "That's right, it's me. Here is my ledger of trade I conducted with several island nations in the Eastern Sea this year, with my personal seal and Tian Ruo Prefecture's seal. You can keep this on you, or hide it away. You can give it back to me after you return to your side. "
As he spoke, Lu Gaosheng took out an unopened envelope.
Zhang San opened it and looked carefully. With his experience and judgement, he could tell at a glance that it was genuine, but he still gasped.
The amount was shockingly large.
Zhang San had never seen so much money before.
Lu Gaosheng was secretly engaging in the banned maritime trade, and the amount was massive. If this got out, some would even believe he intended to rebel.
But Zhang San also understood Lu Gaosheng's thinking more clearly.
Lu Gaosheng had said and done so much tonight, spent so much effort and even gambled his life, which was enough to prove that Zhang San, or more precisely, the peerless martial arts possessed by Zhang San below the Heavenly Stage, played an extremely important role in his upcoming plans.
Therefore, he needed an "insurance" like Wang Xiaoer to ensure Zhang San's loyalty in the short term.
Otherwise, with Zhang San's level of mastery, if he no longer had concerns holding him back, he could leave anytime or even turncoat without warning.
But similarly, to reassure Zhang San to work for him, Lu Gaosheng again gambled his life and all his assets, preparing a "self-insurance" for Zhang San.
Zhang San could see that Lu Gaosheng was sincere.
But seeing Zhang San lost in thought, Lu Gaosheng continued: "People seek life, not death. I, Lu Gaosheng, do not fear death, but I don't wish to die either. I have staked my life and assets as the maximum I can accept. You can refuse, but if you do, please... kill me immediately!"
Kill me immediately!
Zhang San understood the implication behind Lu Gaosheng's words. If he killed him, things would revert to what Lu Gaosheng said initially.
Over a thousand troops, strong bows and crossbows, dozens of experts at the Earth Stage, and these people would make killing Wang Xiaoer their top priority.
Secondly, they would spread news of him and his master all over Dawu Country, especially to the three factions like Dark Building.
Zhang San clenched his fists tightly. Under Lu Gaosheng's design, it was truly hard for him to choose.