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Chu Yuening selected a copper coin from within, tied it to the end of the peach wood sword with a red string, and then rummaged through the toolbox for a brush and cinnabar.

Seeing that Chu Yuening was about to write something, Wei Yanlin approached out of curiosity, "Are you writing 'Number One Mighty in the World'?"

With the brush in hand, Chu Yuening dipped it into the red cinnabar water and inscribed on the peach wood sword: "Chu Ji Sweet Soup."

Wei Yanlin: ...

Wei Yanlin's gaze drifted away, his mind adrift.

He truly didn't understand the master's quirks.

Looking at the simple peach wood sword, Wei Yanlin decided to tactfully suggest an alternative.

"Recently, high-carbon steel swords are popular in the circle. Although peach wood swords are still used, they possess much weaker magical power. How about getting a treasured sword instead? It would be more impressive when you carry it around."

For a mighty master with great magical powers, wouldn't it seem a bit outdated to carry a humble peach wood sword on the streets?

"No need, this is perfect." Chu Yuening's eyes curved into a smile as she gazed at the sword fondly, then stood up to leave, "Thank you, I'll head back to Temple Street first."

By the time she returned to the temple street stall with her peachwood sword in hand, it was unusually empty. She found this peculiar; usually, there would be a long queue of customers by now.

Before she could inquire of Lin Jiahua, A Hua caught her attention with a subtle gesture.

Following his gaze, Chu Yuening spotted a group of punkish youths with red and yellow hair standing nearby, whistling at her with ill intentions.

"Sugar Water Girl, it's time to pay the protection fee for this month," one of them called out.

Chu Yuening held the peachwood sword tightly, narrowing her lychee-shaped eyes. The leader of these punks wasn't the very culprit who had stolen the original protagonist's money, ultimately leading to her tragic demise in the original story?

Chapter 40

Chu Yuening didn't respond. Instead, she hung the peach wood sword on the glass cabinet. Passersby were immediately drawn to the sword, allowing them to clearly see the characters "Chu Ji Sweet Soup" written in cinnabar.

It served as a signboard just as effectively.

She was quite pleased, but her satisfaction was short-lived as that irritating voice interrupted once more.

"As per usual, a thousand yuan for protection fees each month. If you pay up obediently, nothing like what happened before will occur again."

The last gangster who had attempted to extort money was called Mountain Cat, and he wore a smug expression, believing that Chu Yuening would surely obediently hand over the cash this time, having learned her lesson from before.

"I told you, she's too scared to even talk now, didn't I?"

His companion chimed in with flattery, "Who else could it be? Cat and Dog are truly formidable. Sister Ding is so frightened that her face has turned completely pale."

Chu Yuening glanced at her own pale arm in silence.

"Brother Cat, shall we go karaoke tonight after collecting this protection money?"

None of them were part of an actual gang; the protection fees naturally went straight into their own pockets.

Seeing that Chu Yuening still didn't respond, Mountain Cat assumed she was completely terrified. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that she seemed much more beautiful than the last time they met. However, she seemed even more timid now. Last time, she had at least shouted in fear, but this time, she was completely stunned.

He urged her with a sense of triumph, "Pay up the protection fee quickly. Don't worry, as long as you cooperate and give us the money, nothing bad will happen like last time."

"Protection fee?" The girl, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke up, looking into Mountain Cat's expectant gaze before giving a faint smile.

"Sorry, none available."

The leopard's anticipation was dashed as he saw Chu Yuening's stubbornness, causing his anger to escalate. Rolling up his sleeves, he prepared to overturn the dessert stall. "Fine! Since there's nothing here, don't expect to continue operating in Temple Street next time!"

Just as the leopard was about to tip over the stall, his hand touched the countertop, but Chu Yuening had placed a paralysis charm on it. He felt immobilized and stared at her with fear as she maintained her calm smile. Lin Jiahua grabbed a stool, standing behind her, ready to defend with a weapon if needed.

Unaware of the situation, his companion urged, "Brother Leopard, do it! Show them who's boss!"

Sweat drenched the leopard's forehead as he frantically blinked for assistance.

His companion, however, failed to read the cue and strangely asked, "Brother Leopard, is your eye twitching?"

Frustrated, the leopard stopped blinking.

At the end of the street, a few green-uniformed patrol officers appeared. One of them soon noticed the commotion at the dessert stall and promptly drew his nightstick from his belt, pointing it at the group while sternly questioning them.

"What are you trying to do?!"

Chu Yuening removed the charm.

Feeling his strength returning, the leopard gradually regained control of his fingers gripping the countertop. Sensing danger, he took off running, not forgetting to throw a menacing warning over his shoulder. "Dessert girl, you're quite something! Be careful in a few days!"

Companions, seeing the uniformed officer approach, followed in pursuit.

Other officers, assuming something major was unfolding, hurriedly chased after them, leaving only one officer to wrap up the situation.

The officer, concerned, asked Chu Yuening, "Is everything alright?"

After all, Chu Yuening was a girl, and the triad members had just appeared menacing. He was worried that she might have been intimidated.

"Everything's fine," Chu Yuening replied, glancing at the end of the street where several stall owners were shaking their heads and sighing, clearly having already paid protection fees.

She approached a nearby stall owner and inquired, "Auntie, we've already paid the stall fees to the government, so why do we need to pay protection fees? There are plenty of uniformed officers patrolling Temple Street, so should we still be afraid of them?"

Auntie had just handed over a thousand dollars and was deeply pained by the loss. Seeing that Chu Yuening didn't understand the situation and had almost clashed with the triad members, she explained, "It's said that we fear not the righteous but the wicked. Even if the police have taken the stall fees, what can they do about it?"

"The triads use underhanded tactics. If you don't pay, they'll stand in front of your stall chasing customers away. The uniformed officers can't do anything about them."

The young male officer blushed upon hearing this. As officers of the Hong Kong Royal Force, they were duty-bound to protect the safety and interests of the law-abiding citizens.

Indeed, Auntie's words held true.

If the triad members aren't involved in illegal activities, but merely intimidate market customers, it's a private matter. The police can't intervene in such cases.

This also highlights the helplessness of uniformed officers.

After her warning, Auntie advised, "Sparrow just took note of you. Young lady, you'd better be cautious, he might play dirty!"