Evening.
When Zhao Ya and Shang Luoluo stepped out of the last noble clan, it was already dusk, with the streetlights beginning to glow.
What was once a bustling street had become much quieter.
Many people were frightened by the Exotic Beasts surrounding the city last night, so they avoided going out as much as possible.
Only a few shops on the long street still had their doors open, with the shop signs swaying in the wind, adding a touch of desolation.
"Whew!" Shang Luoluo let out a long breath, just feeling that this day was incredibly tiring.
None of these noble clans were easy to deal with; getting them to part with their money was harder than reaching heaven.
Fortunately.
The results of the day were gratifying.
In the face of the situation, even if these noble clans were unwilling, they had to obediently contribute money and effort.
Thinking of this, Shang Luoluo couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Ya standing beside her.
In fact, throughout the day, Zhao Ya had been the absolute main force.
Shang Luoluo also saw for the first time what was called simple and straightforward.
Often, even before these noble clans finished their flowery excuses, Zhao Ya would bluntly tear away their fig leaf, striking directly at the depths of their souls.
In summary, it was just one sentence.
Either pay up, contribute effort, or leave the Commandery.
But such a simple method yielded miraculous effects.
Most of the noble clans obediently lowered their heads in submission, while the small number left who tried to rely on their family’s power to contend with Zhao Ya also found themselves easily subdued by him.
It was precisely due to this decisive action that they could visit all the noble clans in the city within one day.
"What’s up?" At this moment, Zhao Ya noticed Shang Luoluo staring at him and asked.
"Nothing!" Then Shang Luoluo suddenly smiled, "Do you think the two of us today look like we’re out on a breeze?"
"Out on a breeze?"
"It means demanding money from people under the guise of some pretext." Shang Luoluo explained with a smile.
"Not at all!" Zhao Ya immediately said, then added.
"Because this is what they should be doing, after all, it’s the martial artists at the forefront of this Beast Tide, while they enjoy safety at the back. Shouldn’t they then contribute some?"
Shang Luoluo nodded with a smile, very much in agreement, "That makes sense, but I always feel you’re not like a martial artist at all, more like a businessman."
Zhao Ya also laughed, "You mean I’m penny-pinching?"
"Of course not, just think that ordinary martial artists probably aren’t as thoughtful as you. If you went into business, you’d definitely be a prodigy too."
"Haha, Miss Luoluo overpraises me, but today you’ve been dragged into it, having accompanied me to so many noble clans, they’re probably all cursing you now."
"Let them curse! It’s not like I haven’t been cursed before." Shang Luoluo said naturally, without any bit of turbulence.
Zhao Ya looked at her with some surprise.
After all, for a young woman yet to come of age, reputation is most important.
But looking at Shang Luoluo, she seemed utterly unconcerned, even a bit accustomed to it.
In response to Zhao Ya’s astonishment, Shang Luoluo tucked some stray hair behind her ear and smiled calmly.
"From the time I started hosting banquets, rumors and gossip about me have never stopped. Some say I host them just to choose a husband for myself, while others say I’m inherently promiscuous and can’t spend a day without men."
"At first, hearing such words made me angry, but later I got used to it. After all, mouths are on other people’s faces, and you can’t control them even if you want to."
"As for these noble clans..." Shang Luoluo’s face bore a look of disdain.
"It’s not that I look down on them, they’re like dogs, afraid of you when you hold a stick, and bark at you once you leave to feel like they’ve got some ability, but the next time you toss them a bone, they’d wag their tails at you again."
Looking at Shang Luoluo’s indifferent face, Zhao Ya suddenly felt a bit of admiration.
This truly was an extremely clever woman, and more importantly, a genuine character seldom even seen in men.
After finishing her statement, Shang Luoluo raised her eyes, meeting Zhao Ya’s gaze.
For some reason, her face blushed slightly, and she turned her head to feign ignorance saying, "I’m so hungry; I’ve been with you this whole day. Aren’t you going to treat me to a meal?"
Hearing this, Zhao Ya laughed heartily, "Having a meal is easy. Just say the word, shall we go to Feixian Inn?"
Unexpectedly, Shang Luoluo shook her head, "No, I’m tired of that place."
"Then what do you want to eat?"
"I’ll take you somewhere, I guarantee you haven’t eaten there before."
Shang Luoluo said mysteriously, and then led Zhao Ya away from the bustling downtown, twisting and turning until they arrived at a secluded local market.
The environment here was only slightly better than the slum area, with those living here being ordinary people struggling at the bottom of society.
And right by the street of the market was a noodle stall, run by an elderly woman with hair as white as snow.
Though she was not young, her clothing was quite clean, with her white hair meticulously combed.
Upon seeing Shang Luoluo, the old woman smiled.
"Back again, the usual?"
"Yes, this time add an extra bowl; I brought a friend." Shang Luoluo said with a smile.
"Alright, take a seat and wait a moment."
Zhao Ya and Shang Luoluo picked a bench and sat down.
There were some other diners at the noodle stall, but they were all ordinary people.
By comparison, Shang Luoluo, dressed in expensive clothing, appeared somewhat out of place here.
Facing the curious or admiring gazes, Shang Luoluo did not mind at all, sitting boldly on the bench and flashing a smile at Zhao Ya.