The sky collapsed, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself transported to Nanluoguxiang.

After Hu Laoliu finished speaking, he looked at Zhao Zhengping with a meaningful expression, waiting for his answer.

But to Zhao Zhengping, that smile and those eyes were more like a death warrant, and he knew that if he didn't answer well, they would be finished today.

He took a deep breath and stammered:

"Oh, it's Sixth Brother! We were blind to your greatness and didn't recognize you. This... this batch of goods, if you don't mind, consider it our apology. What do you think of today's matter?"

"Look how scared you are!" Old Hu burst into laughter. "Don't worry, I'm not an unreasonable person."

"Yes, yes!" Zhao Zhengping quickly agreed, but felt a pang of heartache in his heart. All that money had gone down the drain.

Zhao Wu, standing nearby, immediately became anxious: "Sixth Brother, how can you let them off so easily? You promised to teach them a lesson!"

Hu Laoliu's face darkened.

Seeing this, the henchman next to him kicked him without saying a word: "Who are you to tell us what to do with our boss's decisions? If you keep yelling, I won't hesitate to bury you alive!"

Zhao Wu was kicked to the ground and had just cried out in pain when he heard these words, so he quickly shut his mouth in fright.

Zhao Zhengliang and his companions, who were already frightened, turned even paler. Although the words weren't directed at them, they were still quite frightening to hear.

"Tiedan, we're civilized people, don't be so rude," Hu Laoliu said in a mock-serious tone, a smile spreading across his face.

The underling named Tiedan scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "Yes, boss! I'll be more careful next time."

Hu Laoliu looked at Zhao Zhengping again, his face still bearing a gentle smile:

"Brothers, I'm here today because I have another question for you. Where did you get all this stuff from?"

Zhao Zhengping stammered, unable to speak.

He was afraid of the man in front of him, but having witnessed Brother Zhou's skills before, he was also afraid of the consequences of betraying him.

"Don't be nervous, I just want to get to know the friend who supplies you," Hu Laoliu said, glancing past him. "Is this the person sitting behind you?"

Li Kaixin didn't need to watch the show anymore, so he reached out and pushed aside Zhao Zhengping, who was blocking his way: "Brother Hu Liu, long time no see!"

"Brother Zhou?" Old Hu was clearly taken aback.

Li Kaixin greeted him with a smile: "What's wrong, Brother Hu Liu? You don't recognize me after only a few days?"

"Oh my! Brother Zhou, is that really you?" Old Hu moved closer. "It's been so many days since you last visited me. I've missed you terribly!"

"I went somewhere else a few days ago and just got back today," Li Kaixin replied, then changed the subject, "By the way, Brother Hu Liu, what brings you here today?"

"It's all because of this kid!" Old Hu turned and glared at Zhao Wu. "He said someone was stealing our business, so I came to check it out. Who would have thought it would be you, Brother Zhou!"

Zhao Wu, who had just gotten up from the ground, was completely dumbfounded.

He originally planned to use the black market as an excuse to teach Zhao Zhengping and his gang a lesson, and also to deal with the supplier.

But who would have thought that the supplier was actually on friendly terms with the black market boss?

Zhao Zhengliang and the others, who were just moments ago terrified, now looked at Li Kaixin and then at Hu Laoliu, their faces filled with shock.

Zhao Zhengping stood aside, his mind racing.

I immediately realized that someone who could produce so much stock must be no ordinary person.

"Brother Zhou, do you know Sixth Brother?" Zhao Zhengping asked tentatively to confirm.

"They're old friends. We were going there next anyway," Li Kaixin said, then looked at Hu Laoliu, "Brother Hu, these people are also my friends. As for today's matter..."

"Since they are your friends, Brother Zhou, I won't make things difficult for them."

"Old Hu quickly chimed in, then turned and waved behind him, "Can't you see Brother Zhou here? Everyone, put your weapons away."

Upon hearing this, the seven or eight henchmen immediately put away their knives.

Zhao Zhengping, who was standing to the side, hurriedly cupped his hands to Hu Laoliu and said, "Sixth Brother, thank you so much for your leniency!"

"No need to thank me!" Old Hu said calmly. "If it weren't for Brother Zhou's sake, this matter of you guys stealing our business wouldn't have been so easily forgotten."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhengping quickly turned to Li Kaixin, his face full of gratitude: "Brother Zhou, we really owe you a debt of gratitude today!"

"Brother, don't be so polite."

Li Kaixin's gaze swept over the four of them. "As long as you are still my customers, I will naturally ensure your safety while I am here."

"However, your resistance to danger is indeed weak. Perhaps we could have Brother Hu Liu protect you."

Zhao Zhengping immediately understood the meaning and turned to Hu Laoliu, adopting an extremely humble posture:

"Sixth Brother, we were ignorant of the rules. From now on, we're willing to give you 40%, no, 50%, of our profits, just so you can spare us a bite to eat?"

"Sure, sure!"

Seeing that Zhao Zhengping was so cooperative, Hu Laoliu laughed and patted him on the shoulder.

"In that case, I won't take your 50% for nothing. During the transaction, I'll arrange for a few of my men to keep an eye on things for you. If anyone causes trouble, just give them the order."

"Sixth Brother, could you please not say it's from the black market? My customers are all very timid," Zhao Zhengping said cautiously.

"No problem!" Old Hu readily agreed. "I'll have them pretend to be your customers."

"Thank you so much, Sixth Brother! Thank you so much, Sixth Brother!" Zhao Zhengping said repeatedly.

"Alright, brother, we're all on the same side from now on, no need to be so polite."

Old Hu's gaze then fell on Li Kaixin, and he pointed at Zhao Wu, asking, "Brother Zhou, what do you think we should do with this kid? Bury him or what?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wu's legs went weak, and he immediately knelt on the ground.

His face was deathly pale, and his lips trembled as he begged for mercy: "Sixth Brother, Brother Zhou, I was wrong! I was blind, please forgive me this time!"

As he spoke, he glanced at Zhao Zhengping out of the corner of his eye, hoping that his uncle would put in a good word for him.

Zhao Zhengping turned his face away, feeling somewhat reluctant but mostly annoyed.

If it weren't for him, none of this would have happened today.

Li Kaixin looked down at Zhao Wu, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "Zhao Wu, right? I think I let you off the hook once last time!"

"I...I..." Zhao Wu stammered, "Brother Zhou, please give me another chance, I promise I won't do it again!"

Li Kaixin ignored him and turned to Hu Laoliu, saying calmly, "Brother Hu, break one of his legs! If he does it again, bury him."

"Alright." Old Hu nodded, then turned to his underlings and shouted, "Did you hear me? Drag him away."

"No, no! Please let me go, I really won't do it again!" Zhao Wu cried out in fear, struggling to crawl toward Li Kaixin.

The underlings didn't care about any of that. Two of them came up and dragged the man out like a dead dog.