Not far from the Tianfu Courtyard, there was a bustling commercial street, filled with the sights and sounds of a prosperous area, its passersby mostly merchants, appearing to be in a hurry.
Inside a small shop, an old woman was busily at work, her movements skillful as she prepared sweet and delicious Osmanthus cakes.
"Old Master, that's Granny Osmanthus!" Hei Luosha said, "I've heard that Lord Lu values her highly. Though they have no blood relation, it's certainly not by much."
Old Master Zhao nodded slightly and walked towards the Osmanthus cake shop, his eyes filled with joy.
"Old woman, you haven't paid this month's protection fee yet!"
Just then, several men approached, their expressions menacing.
Granny Osmanthus quickly stood up and presented the wrapped Osmanthus cakes she had prepared, "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, and these Osmanthus cakes are a token of my respect for you!"
"You old hag, you're quite resourceful!" the leading man sneered, "But haven't you heard? Who on this street dares to shortchange on protection fees."
As soon as he finished speaking, the men threw the Osmanthus cakes to the ground, their faces full of disdain.
"How can you do such a thing to an old person!"
Old Master Zhao walked over, his anger rising.
Others might not know who Granny Osmanthus had backing her, but how could he not? What he hadn't expected was that Granny Osmanthus would endure such hardship by setting up her stall.
"Old Master, please don't get involved!" Granny Osmanthus hurriedly said, "They've always been like this!"
"I think you're all tired of living!" the leading man said dismissively and advanced towards Old Master Zhao.
Unfortunately, as his fist descended, it was caught by Hei Luosha's palm, and the force was reflected back.
"My hand!" The man cried out in shock, his hand broken by Hei Luosha, his face turning pale.
At this moment, the other men's eyes glinted coldly as they looked at Hei Luosha, "Where are you guys from? Why are you so ruthless? Isn't that 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 sure you regret it!"
"Oh, you dare to speak such arrogant words by yourself!" the leading man sneered, picking up his weapon, and the men beside him were equally uncaring.
Granny Osmanthus looked worried and wanted to step forward to mediate, but found she couldn't.
"Don't worry, he's very strong, he'll be fine!" Old Master Zhao reassured her, "These beasts deserve a good lesson!"
Granny Osmanthus shook her head, "They were also orphaned from a young age, which led to this habit. Just driving them away is enough."
Old Master Zhao nodded, but Hei Luosha had already made his move. In an instant, the men were beaten 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, and they were no match for him. If they didn't sincerely apologize, they feared they wouldn't get away today.
"Do you really know you were wrong?" Hei Luosha said coldly, "Will you dare to collect protection fees here again in the future?"
"Never again, absolutely never again!" the men said repeatedly.
With these words, Hei Luosha let them go. Granny Osmanthus, bewildered, quickly stepped forward to offer tea, "Thank you both for your help. Otherwise, I don't know what would have happened today!"
"It was just a small effort, you're too kind." Old Master Zhao smiled, "They were just a few ruffians, nothing major."
"Regardless, you helped me, and I have nothing to thank you with other than to invite you to my home tonight." Granny Osmanthus said earnestly, "Allow me to make amends."
"That might not be too appropriate!" Old Master Zhao had just finished speaking when Hei Luosha gave him a wink. Old Master Zhao then smiled and said, "In that case, it would be impolite to refuse. I will personally come tonight!"
"Do you know where I live?" Granny Osmanthus asked with slight surprise.
"Of course not!" Hei Luosha quickly replied, "We were just passing by, which is why we intervened."
"This is my home address!" Granny Osmanthus took out the address and 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 favor."
"You go and prepare a gift now, it must be the most valuable!" Old Master Zhao said repeatedly, "We cannot be too casual when visiting Lord Lu this time."
"Absolutely not!" Hei Luosha quickly waved his hand, "Our trip to the Tianfu Courtyard is mainly at Granny Osmanthus's invitation. If we prepare a valuable gift, Lord Lu will likely know our intentions, and that might cause him to feel aversion!"
"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 enough." Hei Luosha stated directly, "Lord Lu has boundless means and is naturally not lacking good things." Su Dan Xiao Shuo Wang
"That makes a lot of sense!" Old Master Zhao nodded, "Let's go buy pastries now!"
After speaking, Old Master Zhao moved his body and approached a pastry stall, "Boss, please give me an order of pastries!"
"These pastries are for you!" the boss said with a smile, "We saw earlier that if you hadn't intervened, those ruffians wouldn't have left. They probably won't dare to come again in the future."
"How can this be!"
Old Master Zhao felt a bit awkward. As one of the major magnates in Jiangnan, money was insignificant to him. However, for some reason, the boss's gift of pastries stirred a warmth in his heart.
"You are a great benefactor to our street, these pastries are not expensive. Old Master, please accept them as a token of our goodwill!" the boss said sincerely.
Old Master Zhao looked helpless and had no choice but to take the pastries, his heart filled with a sense of solemnity.
As they departed, the entire street erupted with praise. Old Master Zhao's heart, however, was somewhat stirred. After all, as one of the major magnates in Jiangnan, he had never experienced such folk customs.
"Old Master, judging by your expression, is something amiss!" Hei Luosha smiled, "Could it be that you're touched?"
"Naturally not!" Old Master Zhao shook his head, "I just feel a sense of warmth."
Hei Luosha nodded slightly, not saying more, and led Old Master Zhao towards the Tianfu Courtyard. Time was getting late, and they naturally wanted to go early, not wanting to keep anyone waiting, lest they show disrespect.