The old woman knelt beside the corpse of the triangular-scarf man, prostrating herself before Heaven and Earth, offering thanks that the heavens had repeatedly dispatched "celestial soldiers and generals" to protect her in times of danger. When she finally stood up, she was even more smug. Seeing Xiao Shu running toward her with the air of someone approaching a sovereign, she suddenly thrust out a hand adorned with five gold rings when he was still two or three meters away, making a stop gesture—a clear signal: Don't come any closer; I am not ordinary.

“Are you alright?” Xiao Shu, breathless from running, stopped automatically at the gesture without overthinking it, merely asking if she was unharmed.

Unexpectedly, the old woman was completely different from just a moment before. Previously, she had been a common ragpicker, but now she had suddenly transformed into Empress Wu Zetian. In an arrogant tone, she addressed Xiao Shu, “I am protected by heavenly soldiers and generals. You must keep your distance, and watch your tone when you speak.” With that, she hoisted her burlap sack and strode away with her head held high, leaving the triangular-scarf man’s body grotesquely severed on the ground, a pool of blood spreading across the pavement.

Although Xiao Shu knew that extraordinary abilities existing outside the mundane world were real, he certainly wouldn't believe in celestial soldiers and generals. There is no love without cause, nor hatred without reason. The triangular-scarf man must have died because he coveted the five gold rings on the old woman’s hand. But who killed him? He and the old woman had been so close just moments ago; she must know who this "righteous champion" was, or at least have seen their face.

So, Xiao Shu followed the old woman, gasping as he asked, “Who killed that triangular-scarf man just now? Did you see what that person looked like?”

At his question, the old woman suddenly stopped dead, her eyes wide, and she spoke with a tone of chiding indignation, “That was my heavenly soldier! Of course I know what he looks like. You should stay further away from me; it wouldn't be good if my bodyguard mistook you for a robber and hurt you.” Saying this, she started to jog while clutching her sack, shooting out of the plaza and heading toward the street most crowded with jewelry shops.

Xiao Shu shook his head in exasperation, thinking the old woman was truly ungrateful; relying on repeated protection, she had become arrogant and was likely heading out to scavenge even more gold ornaments. Still, the question remained: who exactly was "acting righteously"? Who was temporarily playing the role of the police in this chaotic city, and what secret weapon did they wield to instantly cleave an enemy in two?

To unravel the mystery, he figured he had no choice but to trail this greedy old woman. Those dazzling five gold rings alone could attract a swarm of robbers without any effort; from another perspective, Xiao Shu felt uneasy not sticking close to her.

Resigned, Xiao Shu quickened his pace and ran swiftly, catching up to the old woman in under half a minute. The elderly lady became quite irritated to find him near her again. She stopped, pointed a finger directly at his nose, and scolded him, “You blockhead! I told you not to follow me—can’t you understand simple instructions?”

“I…” Xiao Shu hesitated, unable to find a retort to such unreasonable scolding. Fighting back verbally would be pointless, and explanations—even if she listened—might not be appreciated. This was the helplessness of a scholar facing a shrew.

After a pause, Xiao Shu finally stammered out, “I truly admire you, and I’d like to meet your heavenly soldiers and generals.” “Oh…” The old woman smiled sweetly; this statement had clearly struck the core of her maximally inflated vanity. “Then follow carefully!” With that, she scrambled up onto the largest jewelry store on the street and began her treasure hunt.