Baohao froze on the spot, as if petrified, not moving.
Gao Xuan, however, saw Baohao's pose as a display of coolness. He was completely oblivious to the abnormal situation, nor did he notice the extreme fear etched on Baohao's face.
Gao Xuan said to Lu Ming, "Mr. Lu, this world has a hierarchical order. A person should speak and act according to their position. Never step out of line. If you do, you will pay a terrible price. Mr. Lu, I hope in your next life, you can be more obedient and honest, and avoid offending people."
As he spoke, he gestured to Baohao, signaling him to finish Lu Ming quickly.
However, the embarrassing part was that Baohao seemed to have completely missed Gao Xuan's gesture. He stood there, frozen and unmoving.
What was going on?
Why was he just standing there, not saying a word, not doing anything?
Gao Xuan was stunned. He didn't understand Baohao's methods and assumed Baohao was planning some special treatment for Lu Ming. He waited along with him.
After a full five minutes, Baohao still hadn't moved.
Anyone seeing this would think Baohao was dead!
Gao Xuan couldn't stand it any longer and demanded, "Baohao, what are you doing? Aren't you going to act?"
But Baohao heard nothing, standing still.
On the other hand, Lu Ming chuckled and spoke proactively, "Baohao, long time no see."
As he spoke, Lu Ming patted Baohao's shoulder. This action completely shattered Baohao's courage. His legs trembled uncontrollably, and he immediately knelt before Lu Ming!
In an instant, the atmosphere in the entire scene solidified.
Not only was Gao Xuan dumbfounded, but all of Baohao's subordinates were also stunned. They had never seen Baohao like this.
The name Baohao wasn't given casually. He was known for his volatile temper, reckless actions, and a willingness to fight to the death.
Yet, at this very moment, Baohao was kneeling before Lu Ming!
He had lost all face.
"What the hell do you mean, Baohao?" Gao Xuan was both shocked and enraged. He yelled, "I paid you to solve my problem, and you're here to recognize a father?"
Gao Xuan was truly stupid.
Even now, he hadn't realized the gravity of the situation.
A man of Baohao's temperament, to be so terrified that he would kneel—what kind of person could do that?
If Gao Xuan had used even a sliver of his brain, he could have guessed Lu Ming's identity and known that Lu Ming was absolutely not to be offended. But Gao Xuan simply didn't think about it.
In truth, the main reason was that Gao Xuan had never believed Lu Ming to be a formidable individual.
Gao Xuan simply couldn't connect Lu Ming with the Dragon Warlord.
It was Lu Ming, however.
He smiled and said, "Boss Gao, is this the helper you invited? It seems their strength isn't much to speak of."
Gao Xuan was both anxious and furious. He had paid a million and gotten such a coward!
He had knelt before fighting even a single round. Hah, this was truly unbelievable!
"You scumbag, give me my money back!"
As soon as Gao Xuan cursed, Baohao directly plunged the folding knife into Gao Xuan's calf. Instantly, the knife pierced through Gao Xuan's leg, and blood gushed out.
"Ah~~" Gao Xuan collapsed on the ground in pain, emitting pig-like screams.
Only then did Gao Xuan realize that Baohao was still the same Baohao. He wasn't a coward; his methods were still as vicious. It was just that Baohao was terrified of Lu Ming and dared not act against him.
"Why?" Gao Xuan was bewildered. "Baohao, what do you mean? Why dare you act against me but not against Lu Ming? Did you also take his money?"
He paused and continued, "Taking money from both sides simultaneously is against the rules! Baohao, acting like this will make you a laughingstock among your peers!"
Hah, he was thinking too much.
Gao Xuan would rather believe Baohao was betraying him than believe the terrifying background of Lu Ming.
This was a prejudice ingrained in his bones.
Baohao said, "I will finish Gao Xuan. I will bear the full legal responsibility for the murder. Then, I will disband the E'neng Gang and never appear before you again. In this world, there will be no more Baohao. I only beg for a chance to live, can you grant it?"
These words were spoken to Lu Ming.
Lu Ming showed no surprise. Instead, Gao Xuan and the E'neng Gang subordinates were thoroughly frightened.
What was going on?
Why was the fierce Baohao, who was as ferocious as a wolf, so terrified of Lu Ming, who was a nobody with no money or background? It was like a mouse seeing a cat.
They couldn't understand.
They couldn't figure it out.
They couldn't guess.
Even more incredulously, Lu Ming acted as if he was entitled, saying to Baohao, "People who make mistakes must pay the price. I can forgive you this time, but I want one of your hands as punishment."
One hand?!
Would someone like Baohao easily be controlled by others?
Just as the subordinates thought Baohao would never yield, reality struck them hard once again.
Baohao extended his hand and said to a subordinate holding a cleaver, "Chop off my hand."
What?
The subordinate thought his ears were playing tricks on him.
"Brother Hao, are... are you serious?"
"Chop!!!" Baohao said without hesitation.
Because Baohao understood the War God's temper, as long as this hand was left, his life would be saved. Otherwise, what he would lose would be far more than just a hand.
The subordinate approached with a face full of confusion.
"Do it, chop!" Baohao commanded again.
Helplessly, the subordinate raised the cleaver and slashed down fiercely at Baohao's hand. With a 'splish' sound, Baohao's left hand was severed.
Blood flowed profusely.
The scene was extremely brutal and bloody.
This sight stunned Gao Xuan. He truly couldn't understand why Baohao was so obedient.
"Baohao, why exactly?" Gao Xuan asked again.
Baohao endured the pain, slowly stood up, walked to Gao Xuan's side, and said word by word, "Because you provoked someone you shouldn't have!"
Someone he shouldn't have provoked?
Him?
Lu Ming?
Gao Xuan was utterly confused. "No, he's just a grave keeper. What's so provoking about him? Isn't he just slightly better at fighting? But you, Baohao, are also skilled, and you have so many subordinates. Why are you so afraid of him?"
Baohao looked at Gao Xuan with cold eyes, not bothering to explain. He simply gave Gao Xuan one word of evaluation: "Stupid!"
Immediately after.
Baohao drew his folding knife and pointed it at Gao Xuan's neck.
Gao Xuan screamed in fear, "No, you can't do this! I paid you, you can't treat me like this. Help, help!"
No one could hear him.
Because he intended to act, Gao Xuan had cleared out everyone in the warehouse beforehand and had specifically instructed them not to come over, no matter how terrible the screams.
He did this to harm Lu Ming, but in the end, he dug his own grave.
It truly lived up to the saying: the wicked will often be the first to suffer!
*Plop!*
Baohao exerted force, and the folding knife pierced Gao Xuan's throat. Gao Xuan was instantly silenced.
He died tragically on the spot!