"That... I really can't afford the protection fee for my family."

Zhang Ye unconsciously backed up, but found himself pushed into a corner.

And the people collecting the protection fee were all dressed in neat black armor.

Do you all think of armor as suits? Or is it just black?

"What? You can't even afford one silver coin a year? Then why are you still running a shop on this street? Sell the shop quickly!"

The leader's name was Wang Yizhi, a level 20 swordsman, but his face was completely hidden by the armor.

"No, I promised my father that I would take care of this shop."

"It's already this late, there's no need to care about that kind of thing!"

Wang Yizhi grabbed Zhang Ye!

"Pay the money or sell the shop! It's that simple."

"Can't you wait until people finish their meal before you do your business? These delicious buns have lost their appetite."

Actually, I wanted to see the situation and speak up after finishing my meal.

But since the mission prompts had already popped up, I had no reason to continue sitting and eating.

I quickly finished eating the buns in two or three bites and looked at the person behind me.

"Can't you solve the problem properly? Geez."

Special side quest: Heart of the Middle Corridor

Quest 1: Help the citizens of the Rosen Kingdom, gain their trust, and obtain information about [Duan Ye].

Although it felt like there were fewer mission prompts than before, at least there was still some direction.

And based on the situation in front of me, the conclusion I could draw was - I had to help Zhang Ye deal with these people in front of me.

"We're handling things, it's none of your business as an outsider! Otherwise, you won't be able to leave!"

As soon as he finished speaking, I shot an ice arrow at him!

The ice arrow pierced through his thigh without any hesitation! But in that instant, the wound froze over.

"Who did you say won't be able to leave?"

I charged towards them.

"Is it me?"

"It's you!"

The opponent quickly took two steps back, and the people around him stood in front of him.

"Boss! It seems like he's an Onmyoji, and look, he even has a Shikigami..."

One of his subordinates whispered to him, but I could hear it clearly.

"Onmyoji? Why would an Onmyoji come to this border area?"

The opponent endured his displeasure, looked at me, and then looked at the pure white behind me.

"What do you want? Why would an Onmyoji support this small shop?"

"Because I'm eating, and I'm eating at this small shop, that's all."

He looked at the ice arrow in his leg, thought for a moment, and then said.

"Fine... you're ruthless! I don't believe you can keep eating here forever!"

After speaking, he and his subordinates actually left like that.

Geez, I thought he was going to fight me head-on, but it seems like he knows very well that he's no match for me.

"Zhang Ye!"

I turned my head sharply to look at him.

"Yes!"

And he seemed confused when I suddenly called him, and quickly responded.

"Your buns are actually quite delicious, why does it seem like business isn't doing well?"

And the hygiene in the shop is also well-maintained, it seems like this guy is indeed running the shop properly.

"Well... it's probably because the people from the Black Wolf Gang wanted to completely buy out this street and renovate it into a high-end commercial area, so my small shop..."

"Huh? Just because of that, are those idiots crazy?"

I couldn't help but curse.

"To turn the whole street into a modern commercial street for a moment of excitement, and then after a while, they start to like the so-called retro and change everything back, isn't that just messing with people..."

"Well... customer, what are you talking about?"

"Nothing, just a sigh."

I shook my head.

"By the way, those people have been collecting protection fees all this time, and you managed to hold on for so long, quite impressive."

"Well... even though this is a border area, there are still guards. But as long as they stop people who want to come here to shop... that's why our whole street is so deserted now."

"I see."

"By the way, how did you guys get in? I remember they had the street blocked off."

"Blocked off? It was completely useless."

I won't mention that I came out from underground.

"Well, anyway, that organization called the Black Wolf Gang has made this street unbearable for you guys, right? Good~"

I smiled.

"Then I'll go freeze them up."