Not far from the Tianfu Separate Courtyard, there was a commercial street bustling with traffic, appearing quite prosperous. Passersby were mostly merchants, seemingly in a hurry.
Inside a small shop, an old woman was busy, her movements skilled as she made sweet and delicious Osmanthus cakes.
"Old Master, that's Granny Osmanthus!" Hei Luosha said. "I've heard that Lord Lu values her greatly. Although they have no blood relation, it's certainly not far off."
Old Master Zhao nodded slightly and walked towards the Osmanthus cake shop, his eyes filled with joy.
"Old woman, the protection fee for this month hasn't been paid yet!"
Just then, several men approached, looking fierce and menacing.
Granny Osmanthus quickly got up and brought out the wrapped Osmanthus cakes. "Business hasn't been good lately, please don't make things difficult for this old woman. It's not easy for me to make a living. These Osmanthus cakes are my offering to you!"
"Old thing, you're quite sensible!" the leading man sneered. "But haven't you inquired? Who on this street dares to pay less protection fee."
As soon as he finished speaking, the men threw the Osmanthus cakes to the ground, looking disdainful.
"He's just an old person, how can you do such a thing!"
Old Master Zhao walked over, his anger rising.
Others might not know who Granny Osmanthus had behind her, but how could he not? What he hadn't expected was that Granny Osmanthus would still be out here enduring such hardship.
"Old Master, please don't interfere!" Granny Osmanthus quickly said. "They've always been like this!"
"I think you're all tired of living!" the leading man said dismissively, stepping towards Old Master Zhao.
Unfortunately, as his fist descended, it was caught by Hei Luosha's palm and sent flying back.
"My hand!" the man exclaimed in shock, his hand broken by Hei Luosha. His face turned pale.
At this moment, the other men's eyes glinted with coldness as they looked at Hei Luosha. "Who do you think you are, being so ruthless? Isn't this going against the code of the martial world?"
"You think you're worthy?" Hei Luosha said coldly. "Bullying the weak and doing all sorts of evil. If I see you again, I'll make you pay!"
"Oh, you dare to speak so arrogantly all by yourself!" the leading man sneered, picking up his weapon. The men beside him were equally aggressive.
Granny Osmanthus looked worried and wanted to step forward to mediate, but found she couldn't.
"Don't worry, he's very capable and will be fine!" Old Master Zhao comforted her. "Scum like these deserve a good lesson!"
Granny Osmanthus shook her head. "They also lost their parents when they were young, which is why they developed these habits. It's enough to just drive them away."
Old Master Zhao nodded, but Hei Luosha had already acted. In a flash, the men were all knocked to the ground, unable to resist.
"Brother, spare us! Brother, spare us! We know we were wrong!"
The men knelt and begged for mercy. Hei Luosha's strength was immense, far beyond their ability to contend with. If they didn't apologize sincerely, they might not leave today.
"Do you really know you were wrong?" Hei Luosha said coldly. "Will you dare to extort protection fees here again in the future?"
"Never again, absolutely never again!" the men said repeatedly.
After their words, Hei Luosha let them go. Granny Osmanthus, bewildered, quickly stepped forward to pour tea. "Thank you both for your help. Otherwise, I don't know what would have happened today!"
"It's just a small effort, you're too kind," Old Master Zhao smiled. "They were just a few thugs, nothing major."
"No matter what, you helped me, and I have nothing to thank you with. Why don't you come to my home tonight?" Granny Osmanthus said earnestly. "Let me make it up to you."
"This might not be appropriate!" As Old Master Zhao spoke, Hei Luosha gave him a look. Old Master Zhao then smiled and said, "In that case, it's better to accept your invitation. I will personally come tonight!"
"Do you know where I live?" Granny Osmanthus asked with a hint of surprise.
"Of course not!" Hei Luosha quickly replied. "We were just passing by, which is why we intervened."
"This is my address!" Granny Osmanthus took out the address and then smiled. "You must come tonight!"
After receiving the address, Old Master Zhao nodded excitedly and stayed by the shop for a long time before leaving.
As soon as they turned the corner, Hei Luosha smiled. "This trip was truly worthwhile. Being invited by Granny Osmanthus will surely earn us Lord Lu's appreciation."
"You go out and prepare the most valuable gift now!" Old Master Zhao said repeatedly. "We cannot be too casual when visiting Lord Lu this time."
"That won't do!" Hei Luosha quickly waved his hand. "This trip to the Tianfu Separate Courtyard is mainly at Granny Osmanthus's invitation. If we prepare valuable gifts, Lord Lu will likely know our intentions, and that might make him dislike us."
"If that's the case, then what should we do?" Old Master Zhao frowned. "We can't go empty-handed, can we?"
"Buying some pastries from the stall ahead is sufficient," Hei Luosha stated directly. "Lord Lu has unfathomable means; he certainly doesn't lack good things." Su Dan Novel Network.
"That makes a lot of sense!" Old Master Zhao nodded. "Let's go buy pastries now!"
After speaking, Old Master Zhao moved and approached the pastry stall. "Boss, give me a portion of pastries!"
"These pastries are a gift for you!" the boss said with a smile. "We saw earlier that if you hadn't intervened, those thugs wouldn't have left. They shouldn't dare to come back."
"How can this be!"
Old Master Zhao felt a bit awkward. As one of the major powers in Jiangnan, money was insignificant to him. However, for some reason, the boss gifting him pastries sent a warm current through his heart.
"You are a great benefactor to our street. This portion of pastries is not valuable. Please accept it, Old Master, as a token of our sincerity!" the boss said solemnly.
Old Master Zhao looked resigned and took the pastries, feeling a sense of solemnity in his heart.
As they left, the entire street erupted in sounds of praise. Old Master Zhao's heart churned. After all, as one of the major powers in Jiangnan, he had never experienced such local sentiment.
"Old Master, you seem a bit off with that expression," Hei Luosha smiled. "Could it be that you're moved?"
"Of course not!" Old Master Zhao shook his head. "I just feel an inexplicable sense of familiarity."
Hei Luosha nodded slightly and didn't say anything more. He led Old Master Zhao towards the Tianfu Separate Courtyard. It was getting late, so they naturally had to go early to avoid keeping anyone waiting, lest they lose courtesy.